Animal Silhouettes

[tri4sale]

I have a client asking for a bunch of different animal silhouettes, like dogs (different breeds), cats, birds.

I've got a few cats already, but looking for dog designs, anyone know a good source I can buy ready to cut designs for dogs. I just don't have the time right now to find freeware and import and clean up.

[Burkhardt]

You can find this with Google images. Under "tools" you should select "usage rights" and "labeled for re-use" and study if the copyright notice gives you the right to duplicate. Under "dogs" I find tons of silhouettes but I did not check the copyright situation. https://www.google.com/search?q=us+silhouette&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiikoyw6bjUAhWCVT4KHYK2Ce8Q_AUIBigB&biw=1347&bih=827#tbs=sur:fc&tbm=isch&q=dog+silhouette

[scottp55]

https://www.google.com/search?q=dog+tattoos+designs&tbm=isch&source=lnt&tbs=ic:gray&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic9e3U-bjUAhUBVz4KHfh4A8kQpwUIHw&biw=1366&bih=628&dpr=1

Again check for rights on the site!
Tattoo sites are relatively forgiving and bitmap trace well usually.
scott

[tri4sale]

thanks, didn't know about that google trick.

Found some SVG files, and found some posts saying Aspire can import them, but I'm on Aspire 4.5 and SVG files not listed under import options for me, anyone know if this is requires Aspire 8 or higher only?

And for some reason, when I open the SVG files in Adobe Illustrator and then try to save as an AI file, it locks up Illustrator!

[Burkhardt]

Nor sure about the SVG files. But you can always take a screen capture with the "Print Screen" key, then paste the image into MS Paint (or photoshop etc.), crop as required and export as .jpg. I guess that should import into older versions of Aspire.

[tri4sale]

Nor sure about the SVG files. But you can always take a screen capture with the "Print Screen" key, then paste the image into MS Paint (or photoshop etc.), crop as required and export as .jpg. I guess that should import into older versions of Aspire.

that'll work, but just trying to save the time and import directly in, and cut out the screen capture, edit and then import, and then run trace (which I've not mastered yet) steps

[dmidkiff]

Vector Art Mega Collection 1 has silhouettes of dogs and other animals. Not sure about cats but probably does.
https://store.shopbottools.com/collections/software

[mclimie]

These are vectors and ready to go:

http://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/purebred-dog?excludenudity=true&mediatype=illustration&page=1&phrase=purebred%20dog&sort=best

However, for physical products, you need an extended license.

http://www.istockphoto.com/help/licenses

Not so cheap for the extended license (looks to be about $200 per file), but if you get one for an image containing 15-20 dogs, it works out to not all that much on a per vector basis. And never mind being done in 5 minutes vs scouring the internet and making vectors out of bitmaps.

Should do the right thing anyway to help support a fellow artist trying to squeeze out a living. :)

Marc

[joe]

There's a market for animal sihlouettes but I've not not been to sell them on a sign. I'm sure that's because my clients want personality in their signs and are willing to pay. Here are a couple examples. I've even use the "Horse Trail" on some of my advertising. http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30351&stc=1

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30352&stc=1
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=30353&stc=1

[tri4sale]

These are vectors and ready to go:

http://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/purebred-dog?excludenudity=true&mediatype=illustration&page=1&phrase=purebred%20dog&sort=best

However, for physical products, you need an extended license.

http://www.istockphoto.com/help/licenses

Not so cheap for the extended license (looks to be about $200 per file), but if you get one for an image containing 15-20 dogs, it works out to not all that much on a per vector basis. And never mind being done in 5 minutes vs scouring the internet and making vectors out of bitmaps.

Should do the right thing anyway to help support a fellow artist trying to squeeze out a living. :)

Marc

thanks, they have some nice ones there, but $200 is out of budget for this project. I did find some on etsy that are similar and think they'll work, and all are under $10. Found one with 90 images for $6.99

https://www.etsy.com/listing/496410534/90-dog-svg-dog-silhouette-clipart-dog?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dog%20dxf&ref=sr_gallery_1

Lacks a label of the name of dog breed for each image, which would be helpful, I am not able to ID dog breeds easily, not a dog person :)

[tri4sale]

There's a market for animal sihlouettes but I've not not been to sell them on a sign. I'm sure that's because my clients want personality in their signs and are willing to pay. Here are a couple examples. I've even use the "Horse Trail" on some of my advertising.




Like always, your work looks good. Agreed, these silhouettes are for personalized project.

[joe]

Daniel,

When a client gives me a request like the one you've posted, I always make sure they know it's not free. I hate to appear as a money grubber, but I guess I am. Can hardly wait, to find the time, start posting on the top of Pricing. It's a tricky topic. I continue to find loop holes at my shop on this topic. But one firm mistake I never make, is the base price required to start a project. That price for me is $250.00. Also I can't waste time on Tire Kickers. So many of them mean well but if they don't have the capital or is they are stingy, I save both of us time. When starting out I did drawings glaore that found their way to other sign shops. HaHa that joke was one me. "Here's my theory" you can make good money by selecting clients. One should build their business on quality.

[tri4sale]

Daniel,

When a client gives me a request like the one you've posted, I always make sure they know it's not free. I hate to appear as a money grubber, but I guess I am. Can hardly wait, to find the time, start posting on the top of Pricing. It's a tricky topic. I continue to find loop holes at my shop on this topic. But one firm mistake I never make, is the base price required to start a project. That price for me is $250.00. Also I can't waste time on Tire Kickers. So many of them mean well but if they don't have the capital or is they are stingy, I save both of us time. When starting out I did drawings glaore that found their way to other sign shops. HaHa that joke was one me. "Here's my theory" you can make good money by selecting clients. One should build their business on quality.

Not a money grubber, just a professional businessman. Pricing is always tricky topic, what works for one may not work for another. Someone with higher overhead will naturally demand more than a hobbyist working out of a garage, and rightfully so. And those that understand the value of time, and what their time is worth, will charge more. I've got client's I've dropped because after factoring in time and expenses, I can make more money working at Wal-Mart. I've stopped doing some things due to the competition charging so little that I know they aren't covering their costs, they just don't know how to understand what it costs to make something. They usually disappear after about 6 months, but someone else always pops up saying "I can make that cheaper" and the cycle repeats.

And this is why I was looking for ready to cut designs. If I factor in the time it takes me to find the images, import, clean up, and so forth, it's not worth it for me for this small project. Finding a ready to cut image, paying a few bucks for it, and I'm good to go.

[joe]

Daniel,

My hats off to you for posting a request for sign images. That alone is a little rare.

I know I'm not like anyone on this forum when it comes to selecting clients. The over-view for me goes like this. The best thing that happened the sign trade has in been Fast Signs, Signs Now, Signs Today, etc. because they lead the way in pricing. To compete against these folks you'll find a formitable challenge. They specialize in doing what you're up to. If they don't have something like you're interested in, one of their business family will have it. What a wonderful business concept.

I'm not interested in competing against these businesses. Thumbs up to them.

Thumbs up to you too!

[tri4sale]

Daniel,

My hats off to you for posting a request for sign images. That alone is a little rare.

I figure why not post a request, worst that can happen is no one answers :) well, or someone can troll me, thats probably the real worse that can happen. I figure either someone will quickly point me in the right direction, or rather like what happened in this case is someone made a suggestion which triggered my brain to come up with another solution (istockphoto for $200 or etsy for $7)

I like the small signs right now, with my full time job I can do them quickly and for a profit, and I enjoy making them, and they cover the cost of my ShopBot and bits. I have a friend in the sign business who wants to join up and do more, so we may grow into doing more down the line.

[khaos]

... But one firm mistake I never make, is the base price required to start a project. That price for me is $250.00. ...

Joe, I think this just went live in my shop. I have wasted so much time doing small things or a proof of concept for the well meaning that ate up hours and hours.

$250 minimum.