Sign-Age gladly accepts print-ready files from our customers. A print-ready file is art that is ready for production with no adjustments needed. The Sign-Age design team can adjust customer-supplied art for production if necessary; however, this article will give you an overview on how to set up files and prevent excessive fees.
Customer-supplied files can be sent to us at https://signage.wetransfer.com/
The File Preparation Guide .pdf also explains how to set up files for production, and the types of files we can and cannot accept.
Design Applications
Accepted Applications
Sign-Age accepts Adobe Illustrator (.ai, .eps) as well as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files. In some cases, we can accept Adobe Photoshop files (.psd, .eps). We may also accept Adobe InDesign files if they are packaged properly.
Applications Not Accepted
We cannot accept files created in Canva, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Designer, Corel Draw, or any other application not included in the Adobe Creative Suite.
File Formats
Preferred File Formats
Files created in Adobe Illustrator, a vector application, can be saved as .ai, .eps, or .pdf files. These file types are always preferred.*
*Sometimes, vector art will contain a raster image. See the slides on resolution and color space for raster requirements.
Undesirable File Formats
Files created in Adobe Photoshop, a raster application, can be saved as a .psd, .jpg or .jpeg, .png, or .gif. Most of these will not be servicable for printing, depending upon resolution (ppi). Raster images cannot be used for jobs that require contour cutting, or for cut vinyl graphics.
Saving a Photoshop file as an .eps or .pdf file will not correct the issue.
Large files or packaged files may be saved as a .zip file.
Raster and Vector Images
Raster Images
Raster images, such as full-tone photography, are made up of small blocks of data called pixels. When a raster image is enlarged enough to show the individual pixels, it resembles the graphics in 8-bit video games.
A raster image only has a finite number of pixels. Raster images can be reduced, but when they’re enlarged, they become pixelated, meaning the image loses resolution and the pixels are clearly visible.
Raster images must be 100 ppi (pixels per inch) at the finished reproduction size for the best printing result. The term ppi is sometimes used interchangeably with dpi (dots per inch).
Color Spaces
RGB and CMYK
The Adobe design applications primarily use two color spaces: RGB and CMYK.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is used for digital screens, like websites and mobile applications. It uses those three colors of light to create different hues.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black/Key) is used for physical printing. It uses varying amounts of those four colors to create different hues.
When an RGB file is used for print, the colors may print much duller than they appear on the screen.
Print ready files should always be created in the CMYK color space.
Other Color Types
Other types of colors are Pantone Matching System (PMS), Lab, and Hexadecimal Code (Hex). The latter two are used for screens, similar to RGB color use.
PMS colors are a solid color ink or paint, used on acrylic, fabric, metal, etc.
PMS colors used in print files will be converted to CMYK blends for predictable color results. In some cases, the printed CMYK color will not be an exact match to the PMS color, and the customer may need to approve a print sample prior to production. CMYK blends are always the preferred color space.
Text to Outlines
Text in customer supplied art files must be converted to outlines before sending. This means live, editable text is changed into a series of vector shapes.
We request that text be converted to outlines because the font may not be available on
Sign-Age’s systems. When the file is opened in Adobe Illustrator, the designer will get an error message to resolve the missing fonts, and the font will be substituted with a default font.
Alternatively, the font may be provided along with the artwork. However, most fonts purchased from a type foundry and copyrighted material. Check with your font foundry’s regulations before sending a purchased font.
Bleed Printing
When artwork is to extend past, or go up to, the trim edges of the print, it needs to have a bleed. This means the artwork needs to be larger than the finished trim size size.
For small- to medium-sized prints, like posters or banners, Sign-Age requires a bleed of ¼″.
Prints that will be trimmed on-site, like window clings, require a 1″ bleed.
For large prints, such as a mural or vehicle wrap, we require a 3″ bleed.
Prepress Printer’s Marks
Offset vs. Digital Printers
Sign-Age uses large format digital printers. Art files for digital print do not require prepress marks on art files. These include crop marks, registration marks, color bars, and page information.
These marks were necessary when prints were made on offset printers with separate metal plates, and were machine cut. In modern printing, digital printers use a direct-to-print process and do not have ink alignment issues. Sign-Age is G7 certified for color consistency, and trim and contour cuts are automated. In some cases, trimming is also done carefully by hand.
However, the appropriate amount of bleed should be included. See the previous slide for the correct amount of bleed required.
Preflight
When a customer submits artwork to Sign-Age, the art department will check the art to make sure it’s ready for production. They will check for the correct size, color space, resolution (if a raster image), outlined/available fonts, and that sufficient bleed is added, if applicable.
If no issues are found, the artwork is suitable to print, and your account manager will let you know the order is ready to proceed.
If the designer finds issues to be corrected, they will check the appropriate boxes on the preflight form and note anything else that needs adjustment or explanation. In these cases, the art will need to be adjusted and resubmitted. Sign-Age can also make these adjustments; however, this will most likely incur additional fees.
Summary
In summary, these are the criteria for customer supplied art to meet production standards:
- The file type is .pdf, .ai or .eps. Advise if file is a different format from these.
- Any placed raster images are embedded in the document.
- The document size matches the final print size.
- The correct amount of bleed is added (if applicable)
- The color space is CMYK.
- All text is converted to outlines.
- Any placed raster images are 100 dpi at 100% print size.
- Spelling is correct.
- You have provided a visual representation of how the finished file should look (.pdf or mockup).
For more answers to your questions on setting up files for printing and sign production, contact Sign-Age at (727) 536-9400 or Sales@Sign-Age.com or visit us at Sign-Age.com/pages/contact
About Sign-Age
Sign-Age is a premier provider of custom signage solutions, offering everything from banners and vehicle wraps to digital printing and more. With a focus on quality, creativity, and customer satisfaction, Sign-Age serves clients across a variety of industries, delivering innovative designs that make a lasting impression.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Jim McClain
Managing Partner
Sign-Age
(727) 536-9400
Sales@Sign-Age.com
Sign-Age.com