Pre-press Requirements
Artwork
If we could describe the “perfect” file, it would look a little like this for an average* banner:
- An Illustrator .EPS file laid out at 1:10 scale.
- Line art and type created in Illustrator.
- Type converted to paths.
- Placed images at 300 DPI (or better).
- All colors (raster and vector art) in CMYK.
- No illustrator “special effects” applied.
- Hard copy provided for reference.
- Pantone matches called out on hard copy or in file.
*Your design may require different parameters.
Please contact our customer support personnel
for more information.
Scale
Always design at scale. Most computer design software wasn’t designed with grand format in mind. For this reason we suggest that you always do your design work at scale. We typically suggest 1:10 scale (1″ equals 10″). Why? Easy math. If your final output is 54″ x 192″, your scaled file should be 5.4″ x 19.2″ Easy enough right? Back to top
Resolution
OK, this one is a little more tricky. Suggested final output resolution will vary from job to job based on factors such as finished size, viewing distance, and application. Some General Guidelines are:
- Billboards: 9-12 DPI at output size (90-120 dpi at 1:10 scale).
- Large Banners: 20-30 DPI at output size (200-300 dpi at 1:10 scale).
- Small Baners / Posters: 50-75 DPI at output size (500-750 dpi at 1:10 scale).
- Fleet Graphics (truck, vans, etc): 30-50 DPI at output size (300-500 dpi at 1:10 scale).
- Bus Wraps: 20-30 DPI at output size (200-300 dpi at 1:10 scale).
Fonts
Now this one is a little easier. If your program has the ability to convert fonts into vector shapes(sometimes called paths, outlines, curves, etc),DO IT! Trust me, it will save us all a lot of time. If your program doesn’t support this function(Quark XPress, Page Maker, etc.) it’s time to dump it!…..just kidding. No, just be careful and double (and triple) check to make sure you are sending us ALL the fonts associated with the file. Quark’s Collect for output is great, but sometimes it can miss things (especially printer fonts).
File Type
Our “gold standards” programs around here are Photoshop and Illustrator, but chances are, if you can design in it, we can print out of it. We prefer .EPS (encapsulated post script) files and most design software supports exporting in this format. If you are unsure about your program or file, just contact us and we can help you sort out the details.
Laser / Layout
Whenever possible, please include a hard copy printout with your digital art. The digital world is great, but sometimes things can happen to files along the way (fonts changing, elements shifting, etc.) that otherwise wouldn’t be noticable (to us).
Raster -vs- Vector
You can dictionary.com the real definitions if you want, but what it basically boils down to is this:
Raster: The stuff you create in Photoshop. These files have a “fixed” resolution and must be designed with the output size in mind.
Vector:The stuff you create in Illustrator (or other drawing programs). Vector files are resolution independent. Once created, vector files can be printed as small or as large as needed without change. Whenever possible design as much as possible in vector. In the end it will make for smaller file sizes, sharper text and line art, and easier file setup.
Illustrator Effects
While Adobe Illustrator is invaluable tool in graphic design, it can also be a major pain at times. For our sanity and yours, please avoid using illustrator’s pallet of raster-based effects including, but not limited to: drop shadow, feather, glow, and the like. If it is an effect that is available in photoshop, chances are you don’t want to use it in Illustrator. These effects don’t “play nice” with our output software and can cause major delays in pre-press (we usually have to remove the effects and recreate them from scratch in Photoshop).
CMYK / RGB
Sometimes colors in digital files can do some pretty funny things when changing from RGB to CMYK. Doing the conversion on your end can help prepare you for any color shift that may occur.
E-mail
The internet age. We are big fans of the ‘net around here,and fully support it for file transfers. The method we like best is good old-fashioned e-mail. Use Jpeg for photos, and EPS for composite files and compress everything you send (either Stuff-It or .ZIP). Compression will help prevent file corruption which is quite common in digital transfer.
