How can I reduce turnarounds on my Large Format digital color orders? How can I ensure the best quality images? ...reduce associated costs?
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These are some of the questions we hear regularly from our customers, so we've put together a few useful Production Tips to help you get your artwork "optimized" for Large Format production, and reduce potential problems that can impact image quality, turnaround, and/or total cost of production.
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| RESOLUTION. Always set your bitmap artwork to the proper resolution for the output size. Note that setting the resolution TOO HIGH can cause problems just as setting it too low can do. See our Resolution vs. Size article for details.
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| FILE FORMATS. To ensure your project can be produced with a minimum amount of delay and/or unforeseen problems, always use industry-standard graphics software, and submit your artwork in the native application format. Experienced users can further enhance control over the quality of artwork, AND may reduce turnarounds, by submitting artwork properly formatted in the latest versions of either Adobe Illustrator and/or Adobe Photoshop. Also see our Frequently Asked Questions for a more-detailed list of applications.
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| FONTS. Convert your text elements to paths (aka curves or outlines), if possible. An exception to this would be that in the case of artwork which contains large amounts of text such as multiple paragraphs and/or extensive tables, it is usually better to leave the text as is. If all text has not been converted, then please provide all fonts with your artwork.
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| CUT LINES. Place a black or red-stroked rectangle (with no fill) on your artwork, indicating the cut size and position. This will eliminate the ambiguity that often surrounds software-specified page sizes, bleeds, etc.
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| BORDERS. Avoid creating artwork that contains high-contrast lines that run parallel to the outer edge of the graphic, within less than 2" from the edges. This will ensure visually straight and parallel edges on your final piece, since cutting tolerances may vary within about 1/4". For example, if you design a graphic that has a rectangular border placed 1" from the outer edge, then we cut down your final piece within normal tolerances, the border you've designed may accentuate even small variances in the final cutting.
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SOLID BLACK ARTWORK. Do you have elements in your design that you want imaged as the deepest possible black? If so, and if your file is in CMYK format, set the CMYK process build for your solid black areas to the following percentages:
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Cyan: |
40% |
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Magenta: |
20% |
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Yellow: |
0% |
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Black: |
100% |
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| COLOR PHOTOS. If color-matching is critical, please provide [a] color proof(s); and [b] originals of linked bitmaps and/or Photoshop layered files, if possible. Most photo and bitmap artwork can be quality color-matched without individual correction. If individual correction is necessary: no charge for light correction, one photo per order; additional or heavy correction(s) not included.
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| MATCHING PANTONE® COLORS. Be aware that Large Format inkjet is not a Pantone-certified process, so PMS values are approximate. Also, pale colors are more difficult to approximate than darker colors. No charge for one PMS match per order; call for rates on multiple PMS matches.
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| SCALING. For best results, build your artwork in one of the following scale factors only: 100%, 50% or 25% of final size. For photos and bitmap art, keep in mind the appropriate resolution at your working scale factor. For more detailed information, see our article on Resolution vs. Size.
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| THICK STROKES. If your artwork contains any vector/line art elements that have thicker than average strokes, convert the strokes to fills, to avoid unwanted distortions or errors during scaling and imaging.
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| DATE/TIME STAMP. To ensure prompt turnaround, please note the following: Orders are considered placed when both [a] final print-ready digital artwork is received; AND [b] order has been submitted with all necessary production specs (quantity, size, materials, finishing). Orders must be placed via fax, hand-delivery or mail/shipment ONLY. Turnarounds on artwork and/or instructions submitted via email, FTP or web cannot be guaranteed unless accompanied by one of the above required order methods.
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| STORAGE MEDIA. The most practical storage media on which to submit your artwork, from a Production Dept. viewpoint, is compact disc (CD). CDs are the most reliable and versatile of media, as well as the easiest to organize, archive and recall — all at an excellent price point. Please note that our policy is to destroy artwork CD's 30 days after final order is shipped. CD's will be returned or archived on request; charges may apply for shipping or archiving of customer CDs. The "next best" alternatives to CD are our FTP site (for files 8 to 100 MB size), and email (for files 0 to 8 MB total size). Zip disks also accepted. For file sizes over 650 MB, use DVD.
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COMPLETE SPECS. Here's a checklist of the most common and important specs we need from you to begin production:
Quantity per original (reference the filename)
Dimensions (width x height in inches)
Artwork specs (Windows/Mac, application/version, filenames)
Artwork prep (any scanning, layout, repair)
Proof (do you need a web or hard copy proof)
Print media (which paper, vinyl, film, canvas, etc.)
Type of ink (indoor or outdoor)
Laminate (yes/no, UV or non-UV, gloss or satin or matte)
Mount (yes/no, material, color, thickness)
Finish (fasteners)
Turnaround required
Contact info
Billing information
Ship to and method
Please don't hesitate to call Blue River Digital's Customer Service dept. at 916.727.2700 for assistance in determining optimal specs for your project!
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