| 1. Choose File Type |
|
Recommended
file types are .tif, .jpg and .pdf |
| |
| Recommended
File Types |
| .tif |
Save
files from Photoshop or other imaging applications
as flattened (no layers) .tif with no compression. |
| .jpg |
Save
at high or maximum quality setting (minimal compression). |
| .pdf |
When
saving to .pdf, made sure downsampling is turned
off and there is no bitmap compression for the
best quality images. Include all fonts and do
not allow font substitution. You may use high
quality .jpg or zip 8 bit compression to decrease
file size. |
| Other
Supported File Types |
.eps
.psd
.bmp
.qxd
.cdr
.tga
.pcx
.doc
.xls
.ppt
|
Files
from Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark, Corel, Excel,
Word & Powerpoint may be submitted for output
however these file types often require additional
setup time and charges. When possible, check
first to see if your application allows saving
in one of the recommended formats above.
If
you need to submit a file from one of these
applications in it's native format, make sure
to include all fonts and any other embedded
files. Complex projects with multiple files
and fonts may need to be sent to us with all
files compiled into a .zip or .stuffed file,
or on a CD-R. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2. Check Color Mode |
|
Recommended
image type is CMYK. |
| |
| We
can print from either CMYK or RGB files, however
we suggest supplying files in CMYK for optimal
output. All inkjet printers print in CMYK, while
monitors display RGB. By converting to CMYK, you
will see the closest representation of the final
output, as there can be a slight color shift when
converting to CMYK. If you supply an RGB file,
our high quality output system will process the
file for the best quality conversion. |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 3. Check Size & Resolution |
|
For
the best quality output, you should make sure there is enough
resolution in your original source file.
Guidelines
| Try
to have an original source file
that is proportionally 25% to
50% of your desired final output
size. |
| For
normal quality output, your
original file should have 300
dpi resolution at 25% of the
final output size. (For a 24
x 36 poster, your original file
should be at 300 dpi and 6 x
9). |
| For
the highest quality output,
your original file should have
300 dpi resolution at 50% of
the final size. (For a 24 x
36 poster your original file
should have 300 dpi at 12 x
18). |
| Normal
Quality |
Normal
quality output is
suitable for the
majority of poster
applications, including
displays, banners,
general posters,
photo enlargements,
signs, etc. |
| Highest
Quality |
High
quality output is
necessary only for
ultra-photographic
quality detail or
art reproduction. |
|
|
|
|
|
Quick
Reference Size & Resolution
Chart
| Use
the table below to find the
recommended size of your original
file at 300 dpi for the common
poster sizes below. |
Desired
Final Output Size |
Recommended
Original File
Size at 300 dpi
/ Pixels |
Normal
Quality |
|
Highest
Quality |
| Doc.
Size |
Pixels |
Doc.
Size |
Pixels |
| 18
x 24 |
4.5
x 6 |
1350
x 1800 |
9
x 12 |
2700
x 3600 |
| 24
x 36 |
6
x 9 |
1800
x 2700 |
12
x 18 |
3600
x 5400 |
| 36
x 48 |
9
x 12 |
2700
x 3600 |
18
x 24 |
5400
x 7200 |
| 48
x 72 |
12
x 18 |
3600
x 5400 |
24
x 36 |
7200
x 10800 |
| 48
x 100 |
12
x 25 |
3600
x 7500 |
24
x 50 |
7200
x 15000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Additonal
Reference Charts for Original File Setup
| For normal quality
output *,
your original file
should have at least
75 dpi resolution
at 100% of the output
size. This is also
equal to 150 dpi
resolution at 50%
of the output size
and 300 dpi at 25%
of the output size.
Use the chart below
to determine the
optimal original
file size, dpi and
total pixel dimensions
for the desired
final output size. |
Desired
Final
Output
Size |
Original
File
%, dpi,
&
document
size |
Original
File
Pixel
Dimensions |
| 100% |
50% |
25% |
| 75
dpi |
150
dpi |
300
dpi |
| 18
x 24 |
18
x 24 |
9
x 12 |
4.5
x 6 |
1350
x 1800 |
| 24
x 36 |
24
x 36 |
12
x 18 |
6
x 9 |
1800
x 2700 |
| 36
x 48 |
36
x 48 |
18
x 24 |
9
x 12 |
2700
x 3600 |
| 48
x 72 |
48
x 72 |
24
x 36 |
12
x 18 |
3600
x 5400 |
| 48
x 100 |
48
x 100 |
24
x 50 |
12
x 25 |
3600
x 7500 |
|
|
|
|
| For high quality
output *,
your original file
should have at least
150 dpi resolution
at 100% of the output
size. This is also
equal to 300 dpi
resolution at 50%
of the output size.
Use the chart below
to determine the
optimal original
file size, dpi and
total pixel dimensions
for the desired
final output size. |
Desired
Final
Output
Size |
Original
File
%, dpi,
&
document
size |
Original
File
Pixel
Dimensions |
| 100% |
50% |
25% |
| 150
dpi |
300
dpi |
450
dpi |
| 18
x 24 |
18
x 24 |
9
x 12 |
4.5
x 6 |
2700
x 3600 |
| 24
x 36 |
24
x 36 |
12
x 18 |
6
x 9 |
3600
x 5400 |
| 36
x 48 |
36
x 48 |
18
x 24 |
9
x 12 |
5400
x 7200 |
| 48
x 72 |
48
x 72 |
24
x 36 |
12
x 18 |
7200
x 10800 |
| 48
x 100 |
48
x 100 |
24
x 50 |
12
x 25 |
7200
x 15000 |
|
|
| Example: If you
want a final poster
size of 24 x 36
you can use the
charts above to
determine that the
file you submit
to us should be
6 x 9 at 300 dpi
(25% of 24 x 36)
or 1800 x 2700 pixels
for normal quality.
For high quality
it should be 12
x 18 (50% of 24
x 36) at 300 dpi
or 3600 x 5400 pixels. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 4. Check Proportion |
|
Be
sure your original file scales up proportionally to the final
output size you request. |
| |
|
| If
the dimensions of your file are not the exact
size of the final output, make sure your original
file is in the same proportion as the desired
output size. For example, a 4 x 6 original file
sizes up to 16 x 24, not 18 x 24, and an 8.5 x
11 sizes up to 24 x 32, not 24 x 36. A good rule
of thumb is to take your desired width and length
and divide them by the same # to get the proportionate
size. Example: if your desired output size is
24 x 36, divide both sides by 4 to get an original
file size of 6 x 9. If your original file size
is not in proportion, you may want to crop it,
or adjust the final output size to the right proportion. |
| Original
File Size |
Sizes
Proportionally to Final Output Size
of |
| 3
x 5 |
18
x 30 |
21.6
x 36 |
24
x 40 |
36
x 60 |
| 4
x 6 |
8
x 12 |
16
x 24 |
24
x 36 |
32
x 48 |
| 4.5
x 6 |
9
x 12 |
18
x 24 |
27
x 36 |
36
x 48 |
| 6
x 9 |
12
x 18 |
24
x 36 |
36
x 54 |
48
x 72 |
| 8.5
x 11 |
24
x 31 |
28
x 36 |
36
x 46.5 |
37
x 48 |
| 8
x 12 |
24
x 36 |
36
x 54 |
48
x 72 |
60
x 90 |
| 9
x 12 |
18
x 24 |
24
x 32 |
36
x 48 |
48
x 64 |
| 11
x 17 |
23
x 36 |
24
x 37 |
36
x 56 |
31
x 48 |
| |
*
Common Poster Sizes |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 5. Prepare to send |
|
Prepare
your file(s) to email, upload or send to us. |
| |
|
| 1. |
Rename
your files and use a file extension to clarify
the file type. |
| |
Try
to use a descriptive filename under 10 characters.
Add the corresponding 3 letter extension
to the end of the filename to describe the
file type. |
|
.tif
.jpg
.pdf
.eps
.ai
.psd
.bmp
.qxd
.cdr
.tga
.pcx
.doc
.xls
.ppt
|
.tiff/.tif
from Photoshop, digital cameras,
art software
.jpeg/.jpg from Photoshop, digital
cameras, art software
from Adobe Acrobat and page layout
software
Encapsulated Postscript
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Bitmap
Quark Document
Corel Draw
Targa
Pict Files
Microsoft Word Document
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
Microsoft Powerpoint Presentation |
|
| 2. |
Stuff
or Zip your file(s) for uploading or emailing. |
| |
If
you are uploading or emailing your file(s)
to us, it may help to .zip or .stuff them
to decrease file size and speed up the transfer
process. You may use any popular program
that produces .zip, .sit, or .sitx files |
| 3. |
Burn
files to CD if you are not uploading or
emailing |
| |
If
you are not sending your files to us electronically,
then compile them and burn them to CD. Be
sure to include all necessary files such
as fonts or embedded graphics. (Flattened
files work best as they include all of the
information in your picture in one file). |
|
|
|
| |
| That's
it! You're ready to order your poster! |
|
