Scanning Resolutions

Display Print - HP5500, Grenadier, Inca, Zund

Scans to be provided at 70dpi-150dpi at ‘finished’ print size. (if scan is to be output over a large area 1300 x 2200mm, 70dpi makes 80mb file, 150dpi makes 350mb).

The higher the resolution the more detail in the image, but too high a resolution and files can become impractical to work with. See chart on the right for guidance.

Small pictures on exhibition panels use higher resolution setting (150dpi at print size) for large image covering an exhibition panel use lower res (70dpi at print size).
Resolutions lower than specified may pixelate and leave jaggy edges on images.

Use our online calculator to find optimum filesize and resolution required for a given job.


Grand format Print - Vutek, NUR, Scitex

Vutek scanning resolution can vary depending on size of job and viewing distance, final resolutions ideally should be between 25 and 100 dpi at finished size.
Longer distance viewing allows lower resolution files

For grand format production such as vehicle graphics, outdoor display graphics and billboards, where output is viewed from a greater distance, file resolution can be reduced.

For example: 96 sheet billboard 12m x 3m - resolution to be 25dpi-40dpi at finished size.
25dpi would give a filesize of 100mb, 40dpi would give a filesize of 340mb.
Close up viewing requires higher resolution files

For close-up exhibition panels 70dpi-100dpi is recommended at finished artwork size. For example: 1300mm x 2200mm @ 70dpi makes 80mb, 100dpi makes 170mb.

Oversize and huge format multi-piece jobs: Long hoardings i.e. 3m x 40m are best created in sections (four 10m long sections) not as one long piece, this makes files more manageable. We will tile the output appropriately.


File formats and applications

EPS, TIF, JPEG, BMP are ideal formats with which to work.

Photoshop - Supply files as CMYK - delete alpha channels from files (our preferred Photoshop files would be EPS with JPEG encoding, maximum quality, Macintosh preview).

QuarkXpress - Do not float any artwork with tickmarks in the middle of a larger page. Use the edge of your page as the edge of your print. Add bleed where necessary. Send proof(s) showing job dimensions and details. Use the “Collect for Output” in every instance. Please ensure fonts within EPS files have been sent, or ideally ‘outlined’. Always use ‘single’ pages only. Do not Spread artwork over many pages. Delete items not to be printed rather than using 'suppress printout'.

Freehand - Always place a clear non-printing box to the page area. Send to back. If you do not your file may print out at the wrong scale. Convert fonts to outlines.

Illustrator - Always place a clear non-printing box to the page area. Send to back. If you do not your file may print out at the wrong scale. Do not work at a large scale, i.e. 3m x 3m pasteboard width, ensure the work is scaled down, ideally a quarter or 1/10th scale. The reason for this is that Illustrator cannot create a ‘preview’ for large areas. Ensure that work is created originally @ 9600dpi rather than the default 800dpi as this can create flatness/printing problems. Please flatten any transparency effects to correct resolution. Convert fonts to outlines.

CorelDraw - please supply the original file as well as exported EPS file, convert fonts to CURVES/PATHS/OUTLINES. If the file is a correct proportion and includes bleed we can work directly from the EPS file.

General - Working in proportion is an essential method of working. Please clearly indicate what scale you are using. Please be consistent with your artworks i.e. 1/10th scale used throughout the job. Jobs that need to be corrected may incur additional charges.


Text and fonts

Text - Ideally all fonts used within your graphics should be converted to outlines/paths from your design software (CorelDRAW, Illustrator, Freehand etc).
If you cannot outline your fonts please supply all fonts used in your job (to include both screen and printer files). Ensure correct licenses for font usage are applied.

Fonts - Type1 PostScript fonts are preferred as TrueType fonts can create RIP problems. Do not rename your fonts.


Finishing

Files For Vinyl Cutting - Please supply files in Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw as paths in vector/outline format. Do not supply bitmap/raster artwork for vinyl cutting.

Hems for Banners - 50mm at size, to fold behind and weld is standard per edge. Please indicate on your supplied proof visual, finished and cut areas as appropriate. For detailed finishing requirements send detailed drawings. Supply bleed on documents if required and mark it appropriately.

Pockets - Size of pockets depend on diameter of pole, baton etc. being used. Calculate pocket sizes by multiplying pole diameter by 1.6 and adding 20mm for the weld.
ie; 30mm pole diameter = 30 x 1.6 + 20mm for weld = 68mm extra material for pocket.

Mounted Graphics - Graphics being mounted to foamex should include “bleed” ie: 3-10 mm all round to allow our Finishing Department to mount and trim the graphic without affecting final printed visual area.


Special notes on artwork and proofs

Artwork changes - If Trade Brigade needs to make changes to any artwork, costs will be charged on an hourly basis.

Proofs - Trade Brigade will provide proofs via fax, e-mail or laser proof which will have a TradeBrigade Sign-Off label. When clients are entirely satisfied with artwork, it is required that “Signed-Off” proofs are signed with a clear authorised signature on the appropriate part of Sign-off label, and sent back to our offices via fax/bike/post. No work will commence until this has been done.

E-mail and ISDN - we have a 4-sight 8-channel ISDN and a 1MB broadband internet connection for you to send your artwork electronically.

Miscellaneous tips - All files must be contained in a folder clearly marked with “COMPANY NAME / SUBJECT or DATE / PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER.” It is important to accompany any ISDN file with a relevant purchase order plus a visual proof of job.

Ensure that you use JPEG or LZW compression on large picture files. Notify us which of the files are compressed. This will reduce file size and allow faster electronic file transfer.

Please compress any scanned images using JPEG compression (Maximum Quality Setting).
Colour Proofs and Pantone Colours - Please supply colour proofs whenever possible, with any specific Pantone colours clearly marked, to ensure accuracy of output. You can also provide samples that you want to be colour matched.

All of our printers are based on a CMYK 4 colour printing process. Certain Pantone spot colours are not achievable in this print process. We advise the use of a Spot to Process Colour Pantone Chart to check the 4 colour equivalents of Pantone Spot Colours. Alternatively we can supply a Pantone chart printed on our printers for guidance.

If you are unclear on any of the above, please call us for guidance.