Everything below is checked automatically when you upload a file, and again by a person before anything goes to press. If something is wrong we will tell you what and why — we will not quietly print a file we think is going to disappoint you.
File formats
Send PDF, AI, EPS or SVG wherever possible. Vector artwork scales to any size without losing quality, which matters enormously at large format.
We also accept TIFF, PSD, PNG and JPG. These are fixed-resolution, so the size you supply matters — see below.
Resolution: 300 DPI is usually the wrong target
Large-format work is viewed from further away, so it does not need the resolution a business card does. Asking for 300 DPI on a banner would mean a file of absurd size for no visible gain.
- Up to 12 inches on the longest side — 300 DPI
- 12 to 96 inches — 150 DPI
- Over 96 inches — 100 DPI
Those figures are at final printed size. Vector files are exempt: there is no resolution to check.
Bleed and safe area
- Add 0.125″ bleed on all sides — extend the background past the trim so a slight cutting shift never shows as a white edge.
- Keep text and logos 0.125″ inside the trim.
- For grommeted banners, keep important detail clear of the edge where grommets are set.
Colour
Supply CMYK for predictable colour. RGB files will be converted, and bright RGB blues and greens in particular can shift noticeably when they do.
If exact colour matters, tell us when you order and we will talk about a physical proof. Colour on a screen is not a contract.
Fonts
Outline your type, or embed the fonts. A missing font gets substituted silently by the RIP and prints in the wrong typeface.
What happens next
Upload your file with your order and we run the checks immediately. We then produce a free proof showing exactly how the job will be trimmed. Nothing goes into production until you approve it.