Guidelines for Submitting Digital Artwork

We use PC computer platform, not MACINTOSH. MAC files must be saved in PC format.

It is helpful to receive a low-resolution JPG, PDF, or a printed "hard copy" of your image along with your submitted artwork file so we can be aware of any import errors which sometimes occur due to software conflicts.

If specific color matching is necessary for your printed sign, include Pantone Colors for your files, or provide a printed "hard copy" of the approximate colors desired.

Supported Media:

We can accept your digitized artwork on the following types of media:

• Online File Upload to our FTP site
• E-mail attachments
• CD-ROM
• DVD
• 3.5" DS/HD diskette (not DS/DD)

PREFERRED formats (Vector Files):

The main advantage of vector images is that they are not resolution-dependent and can be resized with no loss of image quality. Unlike pixel-based raster images, vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas that define geometric shapes such as curves, lines, circles, rectangles, and polygons. Vector graphics are also easily edited — changing fills, line weights, text, etc. is relatively simple.

Most illustration programs will allow you to export or "save as" a generic EPS format that can be read and interpreted by other illustration software. If you're using a program other than CorelDraw, or Illustrator, please save your vector art in EPS format prior to submitting it to us. We can also import most vector files saved in PDF documents.

1. All text must be converted to curves, paths, or outlines to avoid possible font substitution . In Illustrator, this can be done by selecting all text in your file and selecting "Create Outlines" (shift+control+O) from the "Type" drop-down menu. Once text is converted to outlines, it is no longer editable. An option to converting text to outlines is to send us all fonts used in your files. Fonts must be for PC, not MAC.
2. Include all placed/imported image files
3. We have Illustrator CS, and CorelDraw X3. If you are using a newer version of either of these, please save your files back to these or earlier versions. EPS files from Illustrator should be exported as Illustrator Legacy version 10 or lower.

Accepted formats (Raster Files):

Raster files (.tif, .bmp., .jpg, .gif, .psd, .pcx, etc.) are good for very complex artwork and photographs, but compared to vector graphics, raster graphics are less economical, slower to display and print, less versatile and more difficult to work with. The main disadvantage is that they are not scaleable. When printing a large image from a small image file, you lose resolution and the resulting image will not be particularly sharp. Raster images are made up of a series of small squares known as pixels. The number of pixels in a raster image is fixed. If you increase the size of your image, the squares just get bigger, making the image appear broken-up or jagged. The end result is either a very pixellated image, or an art charge for us to clean up your image or convert it to vectors. Whenever possible, it's best to start with an image as close as possible in size to the actual output. Resolution in raster graphics is measured in dpi, or "dots per inch". The higher the dpi, the better the resolution. 150 to 300 dpi at finished size is good resolution. Logos and graphics from internet web pages are always low resolution (around 72 dpi) and cannot be enlarged for sign use.

Formats we CANNOT use:

We do not accept and cannot use files created in word processing, page layout, or presentation programs. This includes Word files, Word Perfect, PowerPoint, PrintShop, Quark, InDesign,and Pagemaker, among others. We produce products that are sometimes very large and these programs are not suited to that application. Occasionally we are able to extract embedded images out of these files, but it's a hit and miss proposition.

*If you want to use a format that isn't mentioned on this page, give us a call and we'll see if we can figure out a way to use it