Helpful hints and other words of wisdom from your business graphics solutions experts:

Large Format Set-Up Information: If you’re setting files up for large format imaging, there are a few things you should keep in mind.  Here are some general guidelines you should follow to insure that your order will throughput smoothly with no surprises.

If your file contains raster data, (such as scan photos, bitmapped logos, etc.) the resolution of these images should not be less than 100 dpi CMYK for 300/600 dpi output, and not less than 150 dpi RGB for 1440 dpi output at final size.

Example: If you intend to enlarge a photo to 24″ x 24″ at 600 dpi, and your original photo is only 6″ x 6″, it should be scanned at not less than 400 dpi. This way when it is enlarged 400% to 24″ x 24″, it will be 100 dpi at final size.

Some other things to remember, always include any and all placed images and fonts. It’s best to link to placed files rather than embedding them into your document. Always include fonts. Type 1 work much better than TrueType fonts. Also avoid Multi-Master fonts. Never use stylized text, such as using the bold or italic commands in applications like QuarkXpress. They will appear to be bold or italic in your screen preview, but may not print that way. Always construct your documents at the proper aspect ratio. We recommend working at half-size.

Example: If your final size is 40″ x 60″, you would create a document that is 20″ x 30″. This is easy to do in most applications, and it is small enough that you can print a standard letter size proof. If you do work at full size, many applications won’t accept a document size larger than 48″, and it would be impossible to print a proof without tiling the image, which you can’t fax or copy easily.

We strongly recommend that you always include a proof. Without it, we have no way of knowing if there’s a problem with the output. Also, always indicate the application used, the version, and the platform type, (Mac, PC, UNIX, etc.) If you follow these basic guidelines, things should run smoothly.

Full-color graphics enhance your professional image and credibility.  They also help draw a dynamic distinction between you and your competition.  This is important when you consider the many marketing messages we encounter each day, only a few have lasting impact.  One of the greatest challenges of full-color digital printing is ensuring that the colors printed are the colors you expect.

To ensure that your colors are produced as true as possible it is important to consider the different devices (scanners, monitors and printers) used to display color.

RGB Color model uses a dot pattern of red, green and blue light to reproduce a full color image.  It is used by scanners and monitors.

CMYK Color model uses a dot pattern of cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks or toners to reproduce a full-color image. It is used by virtually all digital printers.

Spot Color models print a specific solid color.  The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a defined set of spot-color inks used in the commercial printing industry.  It is important to note that CMYK printers can only simulate spot colors, some better than others. The best way to ensure a match is to pick a CMYK color from a chart printed on the machine that will ultimately make your full-color graphic

Color Facts:  Full color adds a new dimension to your graphics and involves some new considerations.  Below are a few key terms you’ll want to know, plus some examples of how variations in resolution affect the appearance of a graphic.

Full Color is the reproduction of any color image by applying certain ink colors in varying proportions.  Originals can be either RGB or CMYK files.

Spot Color is the addition of one or more colors to a graphic by applying inks of those specific colors.  Spot color cannot reproduce full-color images.

DPI is an abbreviation for “dots per inch”, DPI is a measure of the density of ink dots used to reproduce the image.  The more dots in the image, the higher the image clarity and the better the ability to enlarge that image.

More important than the DPI is the total number of pixels in a file.  Pixels determine the final file size for processing and image quality.  For large-format printing, a good rule of thumb is to plan for 100 to 150 pixels per inch (ppi) at the final printed size.  PPI is commonly referred to as DPI.  For example, if you wish to have an image printed 24″ x 36″, your computer file should have a minimum of 2,400 pixels (24″ x 100 ppi) by 3,600 pixels (36″ x 100 ppi), for a total of 8,640,000 pixels. At an average of 3 bytes of storage per pixel, that’s about a 24MB file.  Anything less simply won’t have the quality you expect.

The distance from which your graphic will be viewed determines the DPI required:

• If it will be viewed at close range, you will need a higher DPI
• If it will be seen from a distance, a lower DPI image may give you all the resolution you need, saving time and money
• For large applications such as vehicle graphics, you can often come down from the 100 to 150 dpi ideal without sacrificing quality
• Viewing distance resolution guidelines are as follows:
  • 1 to 5 feet            150 ppi
  • 5 to 10 feet      100 ppi
  • 10+ feet            50-72 ppi

Banner Hanging Recommendations: While weight, construction, workmanship and design are all important to making banners last.  The wild cards of installation and the weather are important to making your banners last.   You can do something about your installation so secure your banners as best you can.

1. Hang a banner tight during the warm part of the day to allow for maximum expansion when installing. This way the banner will get tighter when it cools off.
2. When hanging a banner with ropes, tie the top corner straight out and tight from the sides and the bottom corners at about 15 degrees down from the horizontal line with a slight amount of play in the rope. This will allow the banner to dump air out the bottom and prevent undue wind load.
3. Bungee cords pull banners tight, distribute the stress evenly and give banners flexibility in the wind.
4. Larger banners or high wind load conditions may require a top cable to support the length of the banner from clips to the top grommets. The top tie ropes will keep the banner stretched.
5. Wall installation is best done by driving screws with washers through the grommet holes into the wall.  First secure the top-left corner then continue securing the banner across the top at each grommet hole from left to right making sure the banner is level then secure the bottom grommets from left to right.

Caution:  When installing a banner directly onto a building, be careful because screws will leave permanent holes in the wall.  Some surfaces may also require special fasteners to prevent the screws from pulling out.

Banner Storage Recommendations:  Banners are efficient, portable, and cost effective advertising.  They will last for years when properly used and stored.  Here are a few simple recommendations to help you protect your investment:

1. Never fold a banner.
2. Keep stored banners rolled with the graphic side out around a cardboard tube to prevent crushing and in plastic to keep clean.
3. Avoid storing banners in hot vehicles, especially if not rolled properly as described in instruction #2 above.
4. Banners requiring multiple use or long term outdoor exposure are best decorated with a true high performance cast vinyl with greater flexibility and less tendency to shrink.
5. Banners can have the vinyl graphics safely removed and replaced by professionals.  This may be more economical when a few changes need to be made, but a complete redo may be less expensive by using a new banner altogether.
6. Keep banners clean with simple soap and water.  Rubbing alcohol can also be used.  Do not use ammoniated products or cleaners containing strong solvents or silicone.