Acceptable File Formats For Printing, PC or Macintosh
.PDF 
.TIF 
.EPS 
Photoshop. 
Illustrator. 
Indesign
Graphic Tips
As a reference please include a pdf proof along with your job.
Photoshop Users
Please try to make the dimension of your file the size of the finished job. If the design has bleed, please make sure that it is added to your artwork.
All versions up to CS4. Please flatten all layers. Save as grayscale, RGB or CMYK.
Image Resolution
Photos and graphics ideally need to be 150 DPI at full size but at 100dpi some images can be fine. Depends on the detail within the image and also the application and viewing distance.
If your artwork needs enlarging please allow for that in your resolution calculation, i.e. if your file is 1/4 size and you want 150dpi at final size your resolution should be 600dpi.
In Photoshop, you can go to IMAGE -> IMAGE SIZE to find out your file resolution.
Determine Image Quality from Source
Good Quality:
Digital photograph (dependent on camera, settings, compression)
High resolution / high quality stock photography
High resolution / high quality scanner
Low Quality:
Video frame
Low resolution stock photography (usually intended fro web pages)
Images downloaded from web pages
Why 150 dpi and not 300 dpi that my brochure printer requested?
Since your banner will be a large format print, you don't need to prepare your file in 300 DPI which is usually used for small format digital print or offset.
If you are uncertain of the quality of your images, please call us at 604-984-7377 or email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Saving
When you are done with the design, flatten all the layers
then save your file as TIF.
If you need our graphic designers to modify your art work, don't flatten layers but convert all text to shape.
LAYER -> TYPE -> CONVERT TO SHAPE
Congratulations!!!
You are almost done.
Before you upload the file(s) to us, view your graphic at print size. View -> Print Size
Review the entire graphic carefully, especially your logo and photos if any, to make sure it looks good to you.
Because what you see at the "Print Size" view is fairly close to what you will get on your printed piece.
Illustrator Users
All versions up to CS4
Your images (any graphics that are not vector) need to be 150 DPI at full size, convert text to outlines, include all linked images (flatten all art work). Do not use spot colours if you are utilizing transparency because the files will not output correctly.
Determine Image Quality from Source
Good Quality:
Digital photograph (dependent on camera, settings, compression)
High resolution / high quality stock photography
High resolution / high quality scanner
Low Quality:
Video frame
Low resolution stock photography (usually intended fro web pages)
Images downloaded from web pages
Why 150 dpi and not 300 dpi that my brochure printer requested?
Since your banner will be a large format print, you don't need to prepare your file in 300 DPI which is usually used for smaller format print.
If you are uncertain of the quality of your images, please call us at 604-984-7377 or email us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fonts
Convert all your text outlined.
TYPE -> CREATE OUTLINE
*If your text is not created outlined, font problems could ensue.
Saving
When you are done with the design, save the file in EPS or pdf format.
If you have extra graphics outside of the finished size area, create a crop area with the exact size of finishing size before saving.
If you need our graphic designers to modify your art work, send us your original Illustrator file(s).
You are almost done!
Before you upload the file(s) to us, open the EPS or pdf file you just saved.
Review all the graphics/text and make sure the dimension is right.
If you are satisfied with what you see, please UPLOAD FILES with your contact and order information.
Color Space:
For digital printing you can leave your files in RGB if that's the colour space they are already in. However, if you have some components in CMYK then please convert everything to CMYK and not vice versa. To achieve more saturated colour and better contrast use the Euroscale Coated v2 to convert from RGB to CMYK and remember to use the corresponding document colour setting in Illustrator or InDesign.
Color Matching:
Due to di fferent printers, ink and media, not all colours can be precisely duplicated. We will try to match the requested colours as best we can but if the colour is critical we strongly recommend a printed hard copy proof for approval. For Pantone colours please convert to process CMYK and this will help eliminate any problems with transparency. Colour matching and print proofs will add extra time to production - please plan accordingly.
Digital Proofs:
Digital soft proofs are generated from the print fi le. These proofs should be used for LAYOUT PURPOSES ONLY and not to judge colour, or print quality. We can provide an electronic proof in either a .PDF or .JPG format.
Print Proofs:
At your request we can run out a reduced size printed proof of your large format project and, if need be, a section at full size. This will add a modest cost and some time to the turnround but if you have speci fic expectations then we would say it's essential.
