The Buzz

Spotlight on Vali Eaton

Commercial Design Manager for the Taylor Corporation

Vali Eaton's design path started with a fine arts education. She earned her BFA in painting and photography from Minnesota State University located in Mankato, MN. During her college years, she took a few classes in graphic design in which she learned to design comps and mock up a brochure.

While attending Minnesota State, Vali worked as a typesetter at Carlson Craft, a full service provider of business stationery located in North Mankato, MN. She typeset wedding invitations and also worked in the pre-press department touching up customers' artwork with a technical pen. The majority of artwork that Vali worked on, both business and social, was usually printed in thermography. According to Vali, "This is where I learned the aspects of design that are important to consider when working with thermography. For example, what type styles work well with thermography and how to register two or more colors in thermography."

Once Vali graduated, she continued working at Carlson Craft and was involved with customer orders. After a few years, she accepted a job in the Ad Design department at the Taylor Corporation, one of the largest specialty printers in the U.S. The Ad Design department designs the catalogs that showcase Taylor's extensive line of products that use thermography. One of Vali's responsibilities was to design the samples shown in the catalogs. Vali felt this job was a great way to combine her art background with her knowledge of thermography.

What is Vali's favorite type of thermography design? "I enjoy designing folders because there is a large space that can be used to showcase different ink colors and thermographic applications. I also enjoy projects where I can produce custom art using 4-color thermography."

Vali has been promoted to her current position as Commercial Design Manager in the Commercial Design Department at Taylor, where she supervises a staff of five designers. The majority of the catalogs her department designs are for the Carlson Craft Commercial division of the Taylor Corporation.

Thermography Design Tip from Vali:

"When designing for thermography - most importantly - do not be limited by color. You can use any color and any number of colors. Be creative and have fun. Be sure you talk to your printer about how to prepare the artwork. Some printers will prefer that you color separate according to process or color. Always communicate with your printer before you do your final artwork!"