Labels; from idea to product

[BMXFRANK]

I have the ideas for labels in my head. I know what I want. Now I need to make them real. Im not an artist so cant draw what I want and not good with something like Adode Illustrator. So Im curious how others have gone from concept to actual paper in your hands. Work with a marketing co, taphandles.com, hire a local college kid/artist, etc. to come up with a high-res jpeg or ai file? Not sure what the steps are here. Any thoughts are welcomed. Thanks.

[RyanCrosby]

Frank,

I'm coming to this question from the supplier's side, so take it for what it's worth.
I'd suggest you work with a graphic artist, and that you find him or her yourself. The primary advantages being that you've commissioned the work, will own it, and never have to go begging for the files from some manufacturer who will suspect that he's working against his own best interest in sending them to you. You keep track of your file, and you can use it over and over again for many different items. I imagine there are dozens of reasonably competent, underemployed graphic artists in your area. A Google search for 'graphic design' will yield results. Students are probably even cheaper, but I wouldn't know how to go about finding one of those. Craigslist?
Pretty much anyone who is supplying you with packaging, or labels, or tap handles, or T-shirts, or key chains will be able to re-size and do color separations on a properly created ai or eps file. You'll also experience substantially fewer of the back and forth emails for corrections and edits with your vendor, and everyone will have a more pleasant experience.

[GlacierBrewing]

First off, start learning Illustrator and Photoshop. Very useful programs and EVENTUALLY you will become self-sufficient with your design needs. Just because you are not currently artistic does not mean you cannot develop this skill.
Second, contact a local college or university art department and put up a post for an art student needed. You will be surprised at the level of creativity you'll find.
Third, find a professional graphic designer but be prepaired to pay for it!

Prost!
Dave