Tips And Guides
Mastering The Big Print
A visual guide to optimizing your large format files for faster processing, lower costs, and flawless results.
Why Optimize? The Bottom Line
This section demonstrates the tangible impact of professional file preparation. Preparing your files correctly doesn’t just help our prepress team; it provides significant advantages for your workflow and budget. Explore the chart below to see the dramatic difference between an unoptimized raw file and a properly prepared print-ready file.
The Pre-Flight Checklist
This interactive guide breaks down the technical steps required to stay under the 1 GB limit without sacrificing visual quality. Select a category below to explore specific techniques for vectors, dimensions, typography, and raster images. Apply there rules before exporting your final print file.
Vector is King
Whenever possible, design using vector-based software (like Adobe illustrator). Vector graphics are resolution-independent, meaning they stay crisp at any size while keeping file sizes incredibly low.
Pro-Tip (Adobe Illustrator)
When saving your final PDF, go to the “General” settings and uncheck “Preserve illustrator Editing Capabilities”. (This single step can reduce your file size by up to 80%, making it much easier to send.)
The 20-Foot Rule
Software limitations often struggle with extreme physical dimensions. Use our interactive calculator to determine how you should scale your file before sending it to us.
Standard size: Under 20ft on its longest side? Send the file at its original size (1:1 scale).
Oversized Projects: Exceeds 20ft? Scale the file down (e.g., 1:10 scale).
Note: Always ensure you note the scale clearly in the file name or your order notes so our team can scale it back up accurately during prepress.
Font Management & Typography
To ensure your text appears exactly as intended without technical glitches or default font substitutions, you must manage your typography before exporting.
Method 1: Convert to Curves (Recommended)
The safest method is to “Create Outlines” or “Convert to Curves” for all text. This turns text into vector shapes, ensuring perfect rendering even if we don’t own your font.
Method 2: Supply Font Files (For Editable Files Only)
If you explicitly need our team to make text changes on your behalf, include the font files (.TTF or .OTF) in a compressed .ZIP folder along with your project.
Flatten, Expand & Resolution
High-resolution photos and complex transparency effects (dropshadows, blurs) are the primary causes of massive, unmanageable file sizes. Optimize them before saving.
Flatten Layers (photoshop): Right-click on your layers and select “Flatten Image”. This removes hidden data, reduces file weight, and simplifies the file for our RIP software.
Expand Effects (illustrator): Convert live effects and strokes into solid shapes. This prevents processing errors where effects render differently on our machines.
File Ownership & Storage Policy
Maintaining a master editable file is a critical part of your brand assets. Choose the storage strategy that works best for your budget and workflow.
Cost: $0.00 / Free
You keep the original, layered, editable source files (AI, PSD) on your local hard drives. You only send us the flattened, optimized, print-ready file for production. No extra fees applied.
Cost: Varies (Per-GB Fee Applies)
We manage and archive your heavy, editable source files on our servers for future revisions. This incurs additional storage charges added to your invoice based on file weight.
Sending Your File (s)
Please follow this guide page to reduce potential problems.
Well formatted files result in faster turn-around times and the most accurate final product.
Direct Upload
Upload upto 20MB of files directly on our contact page
Via Email
Directly to your sales representative
Via Dropbox
Share file/folder with [email protected] or your sales rep directly
Via FTP Sites
Example: www.wetransfer.com
Via Storage Device
Mail your storage device to our office or drop it in person
Artwork Specifications
Compatible Applications
Compatible File Formats
JPG
Saved with maximum quality possible (settings under image options)
TIFF
Saved with LZW compression
PSD
CMYK colour mode with all layers flattened
Hi-Resolution images embedded. Always save with “Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities” on
EPS
Saved with “embed fonts for other applications” feature turned on
AI
PDF compatible file. Saved with “compression option” on
INDD
With multiple pages saved in single file (always package InDesign files)
Artwork Checklist
Size
Verify the dimensions and orientation of your artwork
Colour
Set the colour mode to CMYK (We print In CMYK mode only)
Bleed
0.5” – 1” bleed must be included in artwork
DPI
When setting up your files, the resolution must be a minimum of 100dpi (at 100%) size
Fonts
All fonts must be converted to outlines – or included when supplying art
Pantone
All objects with Pantone referenced colours must be on a separate layer
Layer
Organize all elements on respective layers (“cut path”, “background”, “text”, “white spot/ink”, etc)
Effects
Rasterize all effects/filters with a reasonable resolution (with a minimum resolution of 100dpi)
Links
Embed all links or provide us with all the linked images in a folder called “links”
Package
All InDesign files (include both fonts and links)
Backlit
Indicate backlit mode in your order for backlit printing
White
Make “white layer” in vector software or an “alpha channel” in Photoshop.
- Indicate if the white should be in backlit mode (200% density)
- Indicate if you require the white printing to be over or under print
Resolution Guidelines
Resolution all depends on viewing distance of signage. This is only a general guideline for files built at 100%. For different scale resize proportionately.
Viewing Distance
0″ to 1′
1′ to 4′
5′ to 8′
9′ to 15′
16′ to 25′
26′ and Up
Recommended DPI
125dpi to 100dpi
100dpi to 75dpi
75dpi to 50dpi
50dpi to 25di
25dpi to 15dpi
15dpi to 5dpi
Remember that up-sampling a low-res image only adds unnecessary weight to your file and very little improvement will be gain. Unnecessary high dpi files waste time, space and resources.
Colour Matching
Color proofing is a service we provide to clients who have projects which are color specific. This tends to be clients with nationwide branded colors that require consistency across their prints.
Color matching is an additional cost but is necessary if color consistency is a high priority. Our machines are all calibrated and characterized to G7 specifications. Please note, there is an exception with certain Pantone Colors which sometimes cannot be matched 100% due to the nature of printing processes and limitations of our inks.
