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1. FILE FORMATS ACCEPTED - For Illustrator or Photoshop, please save as
version CS6 or earlier.
We use Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Adobe Photoshop CS6. We prefer
native Illustrator files (.ai). We also accept PDF, EPS, TIF, PSD, and
any files that can be opened in Adobe Illustrator. All designs must
be created using our design template.
If you are creating your design as a single image (i.e. using
Photoshop), please create the image at 300 dpi, verify the overall image
dimensions are 27" x 21.5", and TURN OFF the template layer before
saving the image. We recommend saving it a TIF file with LZW (LZW is
lossless compression and significantly reduces file size). It is very
important that the template elements (trim lines, spaces between panels,
etc) are NOT embedded in the image.
2. COLOR MODE
Please work in CMYK. Do NOT use Pantone colors (convert Pantones to CMYK).
Leaving colors in Pantone if there are special effects (i.e. drop
shadows and transparency) can lead to unexpected color results. Please
also keep in mind that we print in CMYK, and not all Pantones reproduce
exactly in CMYK.
COLOR MATCHING - Our printed CMYK colors should closely match your designed colors, but exact
matching is not guaranteed. The printed proof we send you will
show how our CMYK printer will print your design. We
print files as is and do not provide color adjusting or matching
services. However, after you receive your printed proof, you are welcome
to adjust your design cmyk values based on the printed proof and request
a new printed proof.
3. IMAGE RESOLUTION (DPI) RECOMMENDATION - 300 DPI
We recommend images (bitmaps) be about 300 dpi at the 1/4 scale
design size, so that when blown up 400% and printed at final size they
will be about 75 dpi. You may choose to use higher or lower resolutions.
Please do not use resolutions higher than 400 dpi as there is no
discernable improvement in print quality and the file sizes can become
unmanageable. Overall background images can often be less than 300 dpi
and still look good. Read more about
image resolution (dpi) here.
LOW RESOLUTION IMAGES - a common
trade show display design mistake is using low resolution images, such as those pulled off a
website. Please check that your images are of high enough resolution to
look good when printed. If you are purchasing stock photography, we
recommend getting the highest resolution image available. Read more
about low resolution images and
pixelation problems here.
VECTOR GRAPHICS - we recommend having text and logos in vector format
whenever possible.
4. BLEED:
Our 1/4-scale design template has an 1/8" bleed border
around each panel
as indicated by the "Outer Black PANEL BLEED Line" and the "Inner Cyan
PANEL TRIM Line". Extend all images and background colors to the Outer Bleed line.
After we print and laminate your full size panels, the edges will be cut
/ trimmed along the Inner Trim line.
Trimming Tolerance: There is a small tolerance on trimming, so avoid placing critical information or text very close to the
Trim line.
5. SPACE BETWEEN PANELS:
Frames connected together on our Signature 3-panel
display have a small 2" space between adjacent panels. Because of this space, we recommend not splitting individual words
across panels.
Our 1/4-scale design template shows this space between
panels as a gray area.
6: GETTING YOUR DESIGN TO US:
A) via FTP - when you place your
on-line order, you can request that we set up an FTP account on our
server that you can then upload your design to. You will need an FTP
program to upload your design.
B) via email - if your design is small enough (usually 5mB or
less) you can email it as an attachment.
7. CHECK YOUR FINAL DESIGN CAREFULLY
Please be sure to check your final design carefully. Check that your
image resolutions are ok. Include your fonts or convert them to curves.
Make sure your design bleeds all the way to the template edges. Once we
receive your on-line order and your
design, we will print a color proof at 100% (1/4 scale) and send it to
you for your review and approval. We will email tracking after we ship
your proof. After you approve your proof, we then scale up the file by 400% and print,
laminate, trim, and finish your Signature display panels.
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