Color: 

CMYK is our print process so it is recommended to send in the art as CMYK but will accept in RGB form.
PMS pantone color match is required, please specify pantone colors in the file and on the hard copy proof.


Fonts:
Convert fonts (type) to outlines (Illustrator) or paths (Freehand) or flatten image (Photoshop) or convert to curves (Corel Draw). If the type needs to be edited, include a copy of the font suitcase (Mac) or the True Image font (PC) with the file you submit to us.

Scaling:
Please provide scale of artwork & final output size.

Scanned Images:
Should be scanned at no less than 300 dpi at 1/4 size of the final printed piece.

Determining Scanner Resolution:
1) Multiply the specified finished graphic dimension by the desired print resolution to determine the TOTAL pixels required for correct sizing.
2) Divide the total pixels by the input dimensions to determine the scan PPI setting to use on the scanner.
3) Set the scanner ppi (dpi) resolution. Use the next higher resolution if the scanner cannot be set to the exact resolution needed.


Printing Hints and Tips

Image Resolution?
If you have a lower resolution size, or you “stretch” a small file into a larger size, the image will print with jagged edges and appear pixilated. Resolution and size are different, but proportional. For example, a 3”x3” size image at 300dpi resolution when stretched to a 6”x 6” image size, you will have a new resolution of 150 dpi. Even though the image size is larger, the image will have a lower resolution. NOTE: Once the resolution of a file is reduced, the “removed” resolution cannot be restored.

What size do I start with and what resolution do I use?
Knowing the final size of the printed image is the most important thing. If the final image is 10” x 10”, then make your final image size 10”x10” at 300dpi. If you are not exactly sure what the final size is, then scan it larger with more resolution. The size and resolution can be reduced but it is impossible to make it larger with sufficient resolution.

Can Internet images be used?
Images from the Internet or any kind of web site are 72 dpi GIF, JPEG or PNG files, which are not often reproduced, in large format printing due to the poor quality. Color and resolution are removed from these images to allow rapid transfer throughout the Internet. See our Photoshop articles about improving internet pictures and resampling, median filters and Photoshop tips and tricks we use to enlarge low quality scanned images to achieve better quality large printing.

I made my image 300 resolution but it still looks pixilated, why?
One possible answer is, manually changing the already set resolution to a higher resolution. For example, if the resolution was originally created at 72dpi, then entering a number of 300dpi will make it pixilated. The original art needs to be created at a higher resolution for best print quality in large format printing. You can also see our other ezine articles to learn how to increase low quality internet images, jpeg files or other formats used in printing pictures or photo graphics.

Making Images Larger

Enlarging images can be more problematical. As explained above, when you enlarge a pixel-based image--in whatever application you use--you also enlarge the pixels until you reach a point when the pixels themselves become visible to the naked eye. Although making enlargements in your page layout or drawing application is less demanding on disk space and makes output faster, you may notice loss of output quality if you enlarge more than about 180%, although the degree of quality loss depends just as much on the halftone screen ruling you will use. To minimize loss of quality when enlarging an image, you must "resample up".

We recommend that you read our articles on increasing your picture size.


 

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