Is anyone here good with the "gradient mesh" tool in Adobe Illustrator?

[MaximRecoil]

I've been tracing a scan of my Super Punch-Out side decal, because I've been talking with a guy who wants to get it reproduced (screen or offset printed).

I am mostly done, but I can't get the gradient mesh tool to do anything useful; mainly because it does what it wants, rather than what I want. I can't get the gradient lines to go where I want them to go, and the automatic placement is rarely correct. I can't seem to move anchor points for those gradient lines without pulling the edges of the object with it.

Here is what I've done so far - http://maxim.skyphix.com/super_decal_project.pdf

And this is what the original decal looks like (that's a sized-down JPEG—I've been tracing a 600 DPI scan) - http://maxim.skyphix.com/super.jpg

I did the gradients that didn't require a curve, with the auto gradient function. That big gradient down bottom should actually have a slight curve, and if I ever figure out this gradient mesh thing I'll fix it.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[MaximRecoil]

I finally finished it - http://maxim.skyphix.com/super_decal_project.pdf

Well, I might do a little more tweaking here and there but it is pretty much finished. What do you guys think?

Also, since this is going to be screen printed, does the color need to be RGB or CMYK? And is there anything else I should know about preparing the file before I talk to a printer?

[ratzz]

It should be CMYK and 300dpi for best results.

Be aware that conversion to CMYK may change the colour slightly.

HTH 

[MaximRecoil]

It should be CMYK and 300dpi for best results.

Be aware that conversion to CMYK may change the colour slightly.

HTH 

Thanks for the reply.

It is all vector so DPI doesn't apply in this case. The only actual color in it is red, so a slight color change shouldn't matter much.

[ratzz]

Fair enough, you should be fine and seem to have everything covered - good luck with it.

I really like your artwork btw.

Ratzz ... 

[2600]

Is the person wanting to reproduce it the same person who made the SPO duck sticker?

If there is not announcement, would you mind PMing me when they go on sale.

[MaximRecoil]

Is the person wanting to reproduce it the same person who made the SPO duck sticker?

If there is not announcement, would you mind PMing me when they go on sale.

That was "Richie" from RGVAC, wasn't it? I know he traced an SPO "Ducking Pull" sticker, but I don't know if he had any printed. In any event, it is not him. This guy does have an NOS Punch-Out CPO along with an NOS "Ducking Pull" sticker but he hasn't scanned it in yet. I told him I wanted to trace that too, and he said he would scan it sometime this week (very easy trace for that decal). I emailed "Richie" about his trace of the Ducking Pull sticker but he never responded.

And yeah, I'll let you know when they are finished. I believe I found a place about 45 minutes from me that can screen print them, as well as cut out their irregular shape (they have a cutting plotter). They screen print vinyl decals and bumper stickers, so this should be right up their alley (they've been around since 1941 so that is good too). The guy whose idea this was in the first place will be funding it, but he thought it would be better if I could find a printer in my area because I have the original here which can be examined by the printer (to help match colors, material, etc.)