Large Format Printing Guide For Your Graphic Files
Large Format Printing Guide For Your Graphic Files
The old saying “time is money” is true, and we are here to help save you time and cut down on the back-and-forth in formatting your artwork before you send it our way! We can always help format your graphics and answer any questions you have about the large format printing process, but this guide is here to expedite the process for you. Remember that wide format printing has a set of unique requirements for each project. It might be a little confusing the first few times because the rules differ from traditional offset printing, but practice makes perfect.
LARGE FORMAT ART PRINTING FILE PREP 101
- Job Submissions Guidelines – Please include only the elements needed to complete your large format printing job. Be sure and arrange them in an intuitive manner with subfolders containing all links and fonts. (FYI: When possible, do not embed links in AI files.)
- Application Support – For wide format printing jobs, we support native files created in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign Versions CS-CC 2017. We can also work with Adobe Acrobat PDF documents that are saved with PDF/X-1a:2001 guidelines. Remember that PDF files are considered “print-ready” so we have limited editing abilities for these files.
- Document Setup – Ideally, you should build your large format art printing document at 100% of the final size. If this is not possible, due to application document constraints, please build it at either 50%, 25%, or 10% of the final size.
- Bleed – All of the elements running to the edge of the print area should bleed 1/4” past the document edge. Large multi-panel graphics require a minimum of 1/2” bleed on all sides. Large banners, or headers of 8 feet or more, require 1-2 inches of bleed.
- Fonts – Preferably, all fonts should be converted to outlines prior to submitting them for printing. If it is necessary to include fonts with your job, please submit Mac-based Adobe Type 1, TrueType, or Open Type fonts for each project. Be sure to include both screen and printer fonts to avoid delays. (Please remember that we cannot accept PC fonts.)
- Spot Colors – Please indicate color matches by specifying a Pantone color call-out or by supplying an actual printed sample. We will match your color call-outs as close as possible using our six advanced wide-gamut color printers. All large format printing files without specific color call-outs will be run as-is.
- Images – Unless otherwise directed, we will output your project using a “pleasing color” standard achieved automatically through calibration software and our extensive color-matching experience. With large format art printing, image resolutions should be considered when working at scales less than 100% and should be no less than 120 PPI at 100% of the final size.
- Transparency – New versions of Illustrator and InDesign offer raster effects and transparency. Although these features greatly enhance the options of designers, they can cause problems with the final output. We recommend that you use Photoshop to create special effects, like drop shadows and transparent objects, before placing them within your layout application.
- Email & FTP – When submitting files via e-mail or file transfer, it is important to compress your files. Compression reduces the file size and also helps to prevent files from being corrupted during transfer. We can accept either Stuffit or ZIP files. The file size limit for email transfer is 10MB compressed. Please contact your Forge Graphic Works representative for file transfer instructions for your next wide format printing project.
WIDE FORMAT PRINTING: FROM FILE TO FINISHED PRODUCT
Now that you’ve read all of our tips for preparing large format art printing files, do you still have questions or concerns? We are happy to answer any of your questions! Whether you need us to take the lead during the design process, need a color sample, or just want some help preparing your artwork, our design team is ready to assist with your print production needs.
Contact our design and print team today with any questions you have about large format printing.
