Applications / File Types Native application files we accept: You may use any application to produce your files, but we will only accept the following native application files: Illustrator (Vector Format) All other application files must be saved as one of the following file formats we accept. All fonts and externally referenced files must be included or embedded. Failure to do so will result in delay of your project. We review all files prior to production and will contact you if there are problems. File Formats we accept: .eps We do not accept native Microsoft Word or Publisher files. You must export Word or Publisher files as pdf. Fonts All fonts must be converted to outline/paths before sending or the original fonts must be included with your files.If you export your designs in eps format, there will be no font problems.If you are unsure what this means, please call. Color Matching: We match your intended colors as closely as possible. All of our equipment is color calibrated to exacting standards. If you desire us to match exact spot colors such as Pantone (PMS) we will require a hard copy proof strip (4"x24") approval signed by you. Additional charges apply.We currently charge $15.00 per color strip plus shipping. Locals may view the proof in our showroom. We reserve the right to reject any project we feel will be too difficult for us to color match. Proofs You must accept final proofs before job is in final production. Soft Proofs (computer screen) are sent via email or by direct view online. (Note: Computer screens display colors very differently than actual printed colors. Do not rely on screen colors for accuracy). You may also view printed colors at our showroom. We charge $15 to mail hard copy proofs. This is usually an actual color print sample strip of the material used for your project. If you desire to skip the proofing process, you must sign and return a Proof Waiver by fax, email or in person. Customers using YouDezign and pay at checkout using a credit card will automatically receive proofs via email. YouDeZign customers using the "Submit for Quote or Further Processing" option at checkout will receive proofs after job is processed. There are no exceptions to the proofing process. Artwork Prep Guides Garbage In - Garbage Out: The familiar phrase rings true in computer assisted graphic design. Better quality original images will produce better quality finished products. Common Setup Examples using Photoshop or other pixel based software: Our printing equipment is CMYK based. You should be working in CMYK mode or convert to CMYK mode to see a more accurate rendering of how your final printed product will appear. Many colors, especially spot colors, may look very different in CMYK mode than in RGB mode. Proportions and Resolution: It is important to keep your designs proportional. For example: You cannot stretch a 4"x4" square image into a 2"x4" retangular shape without distorting your image. For best results, you should crop your image. If you are unsure what size to set your design, give us a call. IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: Do not set resolution like you normally would for high quality offset printing unless your are providing art for offset printing. Traditional offset printing files are usually setup at 300 dpi at actual size. That is not necessary for most of our printing processes and will result in very large files. If you follow the guidelines below your job will be just as clear and sharp as it would be at higher resolution. You can design most images at one inch = one foot using 300 dpi. For example a banner 3 feet x 6 feet can be designed in Photoshop at 3 inches x 6 inches with resolution set at 300 dpi (1800x899 pixels at 300 pixels/inch). If your design has a lot of small text we recommend you set up your files in a vector application such as Illustrator and place all raster images into it. This will produce best results for clear sharp text. Also, you may set up your files at 100 percent and use a lower resolution. We prefer 72 dpi. For example a banner 3 feet x 6 feet can be designed in Photoshop at 36 iches x 72 inches with resolution set at 72 dpi (5184 x 2592 pixels at 72 pixels/inchi) The following are example setups in Photoshop CS3: Sign 18" x 24" - Click here to view setup If you view your final design at 100% size in Photoshop, you will see a pretty good idea of the quality of your final print. Common Examples using Illustrator, Coreldraw or other vector based software: Vector Format images can be designed at any size. Just be sure to keep the proportions correct. If you are placing Raster Format (Bitmap) images into your vector designs they must be of sufficient dpi. Be sure to include the original placed image with the file upload or embed the images. All fonts must be converted to outline (paths) or the original fonts must be sent with your files. The following are example setups in Illustrator CS3: Sign 18" x 24" Upload your completed files here. |
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Art Preparation Guidelines
The Down and Dirty Quick Setup:
Raster Bitmap Artwork: Create your designs at 300 dpi at One Inch = One Foot and save as jpg or pdf. Or create your designs full size 72 dpi and save as jpg or pdf.
Vector Artwork: Create your designs at any size and save as pdf or eps. If vector artwork includes placed bitmap images save bitmap images as 300 dpi before placing them in your designs.
Upload your designs here
Need high quality Clipart and Photos to add to your designs?
There are many great sites to purchase high quality art and photos at very reasonable prices–usually under $10. Purchase art from these sites and upload to your design. A Better Sign is not related to these sites and accepts no responsibility for use thereof.
For photos and images purchase 300 dpi medium quality files. High quality vector files are eps, ai, pdf file types.
Photos: Small original images can look very pixelated and blurry when enlarged and printed. Use a good quality original image in your design. View your image at full size on your computer screen. If it looks acceptable to you it will probably print acceptably well.
Image enlarged and printed on product
Original Small Image
Original image is too small. When enlarged and printed on product it is pixelated and results in poor quality print.
Original Larger Better Quality Image
Image enlarged and printed on product
Original image is of higher quality and larger on your computer screen when viewed at full size. Image prints acceptably well on most products. For higher quality prints, use higher quality originals. For really large prints such as posters and banners it is best to have higher quality images before uploading on your design.
Original Small Image
Image enlarged and printed on product
Original image is very small and only 72 dpi. When enlarged and printed on product it is pixelated and results in poor quality print. A higher quality orginal should be used. Our professional designers can reproduce your logo at reasonable rates if so desired. Call or email us.
Original Better Quality Image
Image enlarged and printed on product
Original image is higher quality 300 dpi. Enlarging will produce much higher quality prints. This image has been produced using professional graphics software by a trained user. Logos and clipart with strong sharp edges should be of the highest quality possible before placing in your designs.
Logos and Clipart: Best results are obtained by using higher quality vector images created using drawing software such as CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator and saved as an eps or pdf file type. These type of vector images can be enlarged to any size and retain sharp high quality when printed. If your logo or clipart is a jpg, gif, bmp or other bitmap file type follow these guidlines:
Two most common problems with uploaded files are:
1) Bad quality printed images - Usually results from customers original files being too small and of poor quality. Follow our guidelines to reduce the possiblity of poor quality prints.
2) Colors don't match or look the way I intended: - Color Matching: Colors on your computer screen may look very different from colors on another screen, including ours. We match your intended colors as closely as possible. Our equipment is color calibrated to exacting standards. If you are concerned about color matching please call (770-979-8387). A Better Sign will not be held responsible for colors chosen in our designer or submitted by customers unless a hard copy proof has been submitted for approval. If you desire us to match colors we will require a hard copy proof strip (approx. 3"x8") approval signed by you. Additional charges apply. We currently charge $15.00 per color strip plus shipping. Locals may view the proof in our showroom. We reserve the right to reject any project we feel may be too difficult to color match.
How to set up your graphic files:
Working from most Mac and Windows graphics applications, we can utilize your files to produce many of our products. These guidlelines are very basic and will not guarantee your images will reproduce correctly but may aid in a more trouble free experience.To view guidelines for preparing images using your professional software scroll to the bottom section of this page. Professional designers will want to follow those guidelines.
Once we receive your files, they are previewed to make sure they are acceptable for the intended purpose. A Better Sign staff will usually contact you if we determine your images are not of acceptable quality.
Need a logo design really fast and inexpensively?
For high quality designs from professional designers at reasonable prices we recommend 99designs.com.
For simple high quality Text and Graphic effects that can be used effectively for logos try this FREE service: Note: When creating your graphic make the text size very large. Something like 300 usually works well.
Or try this service from the Hewlett Packard company. There is a fee for using the service.
Need to make your photos look better or resize them?
You may be able to edit and resize your photos to appear much better before adding to your project. Try this free online image editor to enhance photos and other images:
Get Free photos here:
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