For the highest quality output of your poster and fastest turnaround, follow these steps to prepare your digital files.  
 
  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.

     
  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.
     
  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.
     
  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
     
  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!