If you have any questions about how to properly build a file for large format output, please get in touch with us. A small detail at the start of a project can sometimes prevent large headaches at the end.

ACCEPTABLE File Types (Uncompressed)
  • Quark 7.0 (.qxd)
  • Adobe InDesign CS4 (.indd)
  • Adobe Photoshop CS4 (.tif, .psb or .psd)
  • Adobe Illustrator CS4 (.ai or .eps)
  • Adobe Acrobat (.pdf or .ps)
  • Macromedia Freehand (.fh)

ACCEPTABLE File Types (Compressed)

  • Stuffit (.sit)
  • Self Extracting Archive (.sea)
  • Winzip (.zip)

UNACCEPTABLE File Types

  • Microsoft Word (.doc)
  • Microsoft Excel (.xls)
  • Microsoft Power Point (.ppt)
  • Microsoft Publisher (.pub)
  • Corel Draw (.cdr)
  • Generic Formats (.bmp, .png, .pict, .exe, .cad, etc.)

Resolution Guidelines

  • Long viewing distances (billboards, etc.) - 35 DPI @ Final Size
  • Medium viewing distances (vehicle graphics, large banners, etc.) - 100 DPI @ Final Size
  • Short viewing distances (posters, trade show graphics, etc.) - 150 DPI @ Final Size
  • As a general rule of thumb, a flattened, properly built print file should rarely be over 150 Mb.

Additional Suggestions and Reminders

  • Be sure to send us all fonts used or convert fonts to outlines.
  • If possible, create files at final size with appropriate resolution.
  • If file is too large to create at final size, let us know what scale you’ve used (1:4, 1:8, etc.)
  • Spec all critical colors to appropriate Pantone value.

Download Design Guide (PDF 20 Kb)
Download "Designer's Lingo Dictionary" (PDF 20 Kb)