GUIDELINESS

To make you easy to create your files for your best result, please refer to our guidelines at below.

Large Format Printing Guidelines

Creating Your Digital Files

Which platform and program should I create my layout in?

Not all applications can be used to create your poster or image in the size that you want. Each has its limitations. The applications that we currently support, and their page size limits are as follows:

PC LogoPC Platform
Application Max Document Size Max Print Size
Adobe Illustrator 10/CSx 227" x 227" 58" x 227"
Adobe PhotoShop 7/8 416" x 416" (72 dpi) determined by memory determined by memory
Adobe PageMaker 6.5

Facing pages, 17" x 22"
Single Pages, 42" x 42"

17" x 22"
42" x 42"
Corel Draw 11/12/X3 1800" x 1800" 58" x ? (depends on paper length)
Macromedia Freehand 10/MX 200" x 200" 58 x 200"
Microsoft PowerPoint 56" x 56" 56" x 56"
Microsoft Word 56" x 56" 56" x 56"

Mac LogoMacintosh Platform
Application Max Document Size Max Print Size
Adobe Illustrator 10/CSx 227" x 227" 56" x 227"
Adobe PhotoShop 7 416" x 416" (72 dpi) determined by memory 58" x ? (determined by memory)
Adobe PageMaker 6.5 Facing pages, 17" x 22"
Single Pages, 42" x 42"

17" x 22"
42" x 42"
Freehand 10/MX 200" x 200" 58" x 2004"
Microsoft PowerPoint 56" x 56" 56" x 56"
Microsoft Word 56" x 56" 56" x 56"
* Note:
  • Power Point is primarily intended for data projection and presentaion on monitors. Because of this, it accepts many file mormats in the RGB color space. If your file contains RGB images the colors will shift when converted to CMYK for printing.
  • Our Machine maxium wide print size is 58" and the length depends on paper and software
  • 1 inch = 2.53 cm

Can I print bleeds?

Please note that even though we have a 60" wide printer, we cannot do a 60" bleed. That is, we cannot output an image where the color will go all the way to the edge of the 60" paper. For bleeds the maximum length of the shortest edge of your document should not be larger than 58". This will allow for trimming of the paper to achieve the desired bleed.

What resolution should my files be?

Your images and any raster objects, or objects made of pixels, included with your files should be no less than 125 ppi and no more than 200 ppi at the size you intend them to be printed. If you have images that have been downloaded from the web they are likely to be at 72 ppi and will require scaling or modification to their resolution. Please be aware that scaling up of a low resolution image will decrease the image quality. You should always try to have a high resolution version of your images available for output.

Where should I save my files ?

You can save your files at CD or ZIP Disk (100 or 250 MB). Because right now we only support that media.


Working with Color

What color space should I use?

You should create your files in the CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) color space. You can include RGB (Red Blue Green) files in your projects but their colors will shift when output to our printer. Normally this shift will be toward red as the RGB file is re sampled for output in CMYK.

The RGB Color Space

The RGB color space is for color that is produced by the transmission of light or subtractive means such as monitors and data projection. For this reason images that are downloaded from the web are usually in RGB as they were ultimately intended to be viewed on a monitor.

The CMYK Color Space

The CMYK color space is used wherever colors are to be created by additive means, i.e. Printing. Images and documents produced in this color space are intended for viewing on paper or other solid, hard copy media.

What are the preferred file formats?

PDF is the most preferred file format for output to our Large Format inkjet printer. This is so because all fonts and images can be included within the file in a compressed format. There are no font substitutions and because the file size is smaller it is easier to send over the network or save to a disk.

Applications that can output to the PDF file format are: Adobe Illustrator 9 and 10, Adobe InDesign 1.5 and 2.0, Adobe Photoshop 6 and 7 and PageMaker.

You can also create a PDF by having your application print and save to a PostScript file instead of to a printer. The PostScript file can then be converted to a PDF file using Adobe Distiller on the PC or Macintosh platforms.

Other file formats that are acceptable are:

  • Illustrator files (with all images embedded and fonts converted to outlines)
  • Quark Express files (including all images and fonts used)
  • PhotoShop (with all fonts used if text is present)
  • PageMaker files (with all fonts and images used)
  • Other image file formats include: TIF, TIFF (uncompressed), JPG, JPEG, GIF, BMP and TGA

Choosing the Right Media

What kinds of media can I print on?

  • 7 mil Glossy Photo Paper
    with a glossy finish for bold, rich colors and exceptional photographic image quality. Available in 90 cm, 105 cm and 150 cm.
  • 7 mil Satin Photo Paper
    with a satin finish very similar to the glossy photo paper but with a low glare, warm, rich look and feel. Available in 90 cm, 105 cm and 150 cm".
  • 10 mil Polyethylene Banner Media
    This is ideal for short term banners with good drape characteristics and light blocking opacity. It is available in 90cm.
  • Heavyweight Studio Canvas ideal for imaging the finest quality photo reproductions, fine art, maps and heavy-duty indoor sinage.
  • Adhesive Vinyl with pressure sensitive adhesive that sticks where you want it.
  • And others media, depends on your needs. Please contact us for others media.

How long will my prints last?

We use dye based inks for maximum image quality. They are not, however, fade resistant. The amount of fading is a function of environmental conditions such as amount and length of UV light exposure, humidity, temperature and air pollutants. The manufacturer tells us that, generally, if the UV exposure is low and the prints are kept in a cool, dry place they should last a few years without a lot of fading. We recomend a UV laminate to reduce the amount of fading over time. We also recomend lamination or mounting for prints that may be handled a fair amount to increase their durability. Tell us how your prints will be used and we can make recomendations based on that use.

How much do large format prints cost?

You can see the cost at here.

Is it ready for printing?

Please be sure to thoroughly proof your work before sending it to us to be output to the printer. Use the info on this page as your pre-flight checklist.