When working with vector images, please note the following points:

ALWAYS:

• Create text elements and logos in vector format (Illustrator, Freehand etc.) unless special PhotoShop effects are required

• Specify all vector colors using the PANTONE® Matching System (coated) or provide a printed color sample to match to (letterhead, brochure, business card, etc.)

• Supply all fonts used in your artwork (both screen & printer) or convert text to paths

• Supply an accurate color or black and white proof for each element of your display

• Use gradients rather than blends (these are much easier to amend or color correct)

• Supply original files for EPS or linked elements (including any fonts used)

NEVER:

• Specify vector colors using CMYK values exclusively (different printers interpret CMYK values differently so this will not provide us with a reliable reference for color matching)

• Embed images (we are unable to check embedded images and will print them as is)

• Supply True Type or PC fonts; always convert them to paths.

RASTER ARTWORK / SCANNING – Resolution Dependent 

When using raster (bitmapped) images in your display, please bear in mind that file sizes for these images are significantly larger than equivalent vector images. Raster images are particularly well suited for photographs, illustrations, and other continuous tone images. However, they are generally not suitable for the reproductions of text, logos, diagrams, line drawings etc. Avoid up-sampling or “rezzing-up” raster images (artificially increasing the resolution through software) as this can result in a loss of quality. To obtain the highest quality results, it is extremely important that all images are scanned at the correct resolution.

IMPORTANT: All scanned images require a resolution of at least 75 dpi (dots per inch) at final size.  100-125 dpi is sometimes needed for Lambda® when fine detailed or small text has been incorporated into the Raster image. This resolution will provide the optimum print quality for your display. Images supplied with a resolution below the requested minimum may result in an inferior output.  Images supplied with excessive resolution do not necessarily add to the quality of the output.  They merely increase the size of the file.

FORMULA FOR PROPER SCAN DPI:

Divide the height of the final image by the height of the original image and then multiply by the desired final DPI.

	For Most Images Original Image Height 11” Final Image Height 88”   Required final DPI:  75  88 ÷ 11 x 75 = 600 DPI This image must be scanned at 600 DPI to achieve a final  DPI of 75.  RGB	When fine detail or fine  text is     part of Raster image.  Original Image Height 11”   Final Image Height 88”   Required final DPI 125   88 ÷ 11 x 125 = 1000 DPI This image must be scanned   at 1000 DPI to achieve a final   DPI of 125. RGB

If you plan to use scanned images in your display, always have them professionally scanned by a qualified operator or send them to us for scanning. Please be wary of scanning your images on low-end desktop scanners, as the results may be unacceptable. Always take great care when choosing original images to scan. A sharp, clear, well-defined original will create a stunning display. Conversely, images, which are dull, grainy, out of focus or lacking in clarity, will produce disappointing results. Always examine your originals very carefully and be particularly wary of small flaws and imperfections. These may seem insignificant on your original, but once enlarged they can often result in poor quality, unacceptable images. Do not assume that expensive transparencies supplied by professional image bankers will be suitable for large format printing. These are usually duplicates of the original transparency and should be examined as carefully as any other image. If in doubt, please send your images to us and we will be happy to check them for you at no charge.

Whenever possible, please supply your images as original transparencies. Transparencies generally provide the highest quality results and are usually far superior to prints, negatives, or duplicate transparencies. Please supply transparencies in the largest format available (8”x 10”, 4” x 5”, 21/4” square). If original transparencies are not available, please supply duplicate transparencies, high quality photographic prints or negatives. Pre-printed images (magazines, brochures, etc.) are not suitable for scanning. During the offset printing process, images are broken down into a series of colored dots. Scanning and enlarging these dots will result in unsightly and poor quality images. If you are supplying images in PhotoShop format, please send us the original (unflattened) layered files. Layered files provide more flexibility and control when making amendments and/or color corrections to images.

When working with scanned images, please note the following points:

ALWAYS:

• Have your images professionally scanned by a qualified technician

• Scan images at a resolution of at least 75 dpi, 100-125 dpi for images containing fine detail or fine text at final output size.

• Start with the best quality original you can obtain, preferably an original transparency

• Check your original very carefully for flaws and imperfections

• Beware of images shot with high-speed film – they will probably be very grainy

• Save all raster based images as RGB in one of the following formats:

• EPS Lo Res for FPO purposes only

• EPS Hi Res when being used as a placed image

• PhotoShop (please supply the original layered file whenever possible - if this becomes to large to manage please call before sending image )

• TIFF (RGB)

• Supply an accurate color or black and white proof for each element of your display

• Ensure images are rotated, sized, and cropped in the original application (i.e. PhotoShop) and not in your page layout program (Illustrator, QuarkXpress, etc.)

NEVER:

• Supply images with a resolution over the minimum requested

• Provide files intended for output to vinyl as raster images – they will not print

• Create files with raster text (text generated in PhotoShop) as this may break-up when enlarged and produce poor quality images – try to limit the use of raster text only to those instances where special type effects are required.

• Up-sample or “rez-up” images –ensure they are scanned at the correct resolution

• Attempt to scan images on low-end desktop scanners

• Supply any pre-printed images for scanning

• Assume that your images are suitable for large format printing-have them checked prior to proceeding with any design or artwork (this applies to transparencies, prints, negatives, and digital files)  

CROP MARKS & BLEED

If you are creating artwork (i.e. for detachables), ensure that accurate crop marks are included for each element. When using images, which extend across several panels, please do not dissect them. Supply images as a single piece of artwork with bleed around all the external edges. A bleed of 1 inch (at final output size) is required on each side of your artwork to ensure accurate cropping and trimming. Files supplied without bleed or crop marks, or constructed from a number of individual documents may require rebuilding and possibly additional charges for time required.

FONTS   

To ensure that all of your elements print as designed, please provide us with ALL fonts (both screen & printer) used in your document, including fonts used in imported EPS files. Alternatively, convert all text and fonts to paths. Do not supply True Type or PC fonts as we do not support these formats.

COLOR 

As stated earlier, colors for vector artwork must be specified using the PANTONE® Matching System (coated). As different printers and technologies all interpret CMYK values differently, specifying colors using CMYK values may not yield accurate dolor matches. However, specifying colors using the PANTONE® Matching System provides us with a precise color reference and dramatically increases our chances of accurately matching your colors.

Always be sure to include a color proof with your artwork. However, please specify whether we are to match to your printed proof or the actual PANTONE® colors. There is often a significant difference between the two, so please be sure to indicate your preference. If no preference is specified, we will match to PANTONE® references rather than the printed proof.

IMPORTANT: Due to the inherent nature of large format digital printing, perfect color matching cannot be guaranteed. While every effort is made to match your colors as accurately as possible, certain color shifts and/or differences should be expected. Reprinted archived files will not exactly match original prints. If color matching from one element to another is required, all elements must be printed at the same time, using the same process.

VINYL   

To process graphic files for vinyl output, we require extremely clean and accurate vector artwork (Illustrator, Freehand). Raster bitmap files and files created in QuarkXpress are unsuitable for vinyl output and cannot be cut. File structure is extremely critical in vinyl artwork as all paths are cut. Consequently, overlapping, intersecting or joined paths cannot be used. For example: if two elements in a design touch, either separate them or convert them to one continuous shape. To achieve maximum quality, please try to ensure that shapes are kept as simple as possible.

When working with vinyl, please note the following points:

ALWAYS:

• Ensure all vinyl artwork is produced in vector format

• Ensure artwork is clean, simple and free of intersection or overlapping lines

• Ensure all text is converted to paths

• Supply an accurate color or black and white proof for each element of your display

NEVER:

• Provide artwork intended for output to vinyl in QuarkXpress format

• Provide artwork intended for output to vinyl in raster format

NOT ACCEPTABLE:  All intersecting and overlapping lines will be cut.  Results will not be usable.

ACCEPTABLE:  Lines have been joined to produce a single element, avoiding any intersecting or overlapping lines.

ACCEPTABLE: Shapes have been separated to produce individual elements, avoiding any intersecting or overlapping lines.