Help Q & A - Program Tips
PROGRAM TIPS:
Popular Programs (PC/MAC)
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe InDesign
- Corel Draw
- Microsoft Power Point
- Microsoft Word
If you are creating your artwork in any of these programs, please follow the respective program procedures below, to ensure successful output of our sign and/or graphics.
Adobe Illustrator
(We are currently running Adobe Illustrator CS6)
This seems to be the best all around program for banner making and sign making. All text must be converted to outlines too avoid any font issues. Please embed all images as well. For computer cut vinyl lettered banners, all vector files must be single layer only - that is, no overlapping layers. When viewing in preview mode, no lines can crisscross. All overlapping objects, of a given color, must be welded together. Gradations cannot be used for vinyl lettered banners (vinyl film is cut as a solid spot color). Gradations require a digital banner print process (see Digital banner printing). Gradations many times can cause problems when importing into our programs, to avoid these problems please save as .AI and we will convert to bitmap format in our sign making programs. If you need help on preparing any of these file formats, please call our art department for assistance toll free at (866) 267-4467.
Adobe PhotoShop
(We are currently running Adobe Photoshop CS6)
When designing your artwork in Photoshop build your file to full size (with 100-150 dpi) or to half size (with a resolution of 300 dpi). We print in the CMYK format, so please adjust your RGB artwork accordingly. All RGB files are converted to CMYK which may cause a significant color shift on some designs. Please flatten all layers, before sending, to avoid any artwork issues and to also conserve on file size. You can then save your Photoshop file in the following formats: .JPG, .TIF or a .PDF.
Adobe InDesign
(We are currently running Adobe InDesign CS6)
All InDesign files need to be exported as a .EPS. Before sending artwork make sure all fonts are converted to curves, to avoid any font substitutions. If you need help on preparing any of these file formats, please call our art department for assistance toll free at (866) 267-4467.
Corel Draw
(We are currently running Corel ver. X2)
All text must be converted to curves (outlines) or we may be unable to read your fonts (the convert to curves command is located on menu bar under arrange in the Corel program). For Computer cut vinyl lettering and graphics, all vector files must be single layer only - that is, no overlapping layers. When viewing in wire frame mode, no lines can crisscross. All objects of a given color must be welded together. Gradations cannot be imported for vinyl cutting as vinyl is cut as a solid shape (spot color). Gradations require a digital print process. Gradations many times can cause problems when importing into programs, to avoid these problems please export as .AI and we will convert to bitmap in our sign making programs. When saving files as vector format, save files as CDR or export as Illustrator CS4 file. If you need help on preparing any of these file formats, please call our art department for assistance toll free at (866) 267-4467.
Microsoft PowerPoint
(We are currently running Microsoft Office 2007)
Printing from a saved PowerPoint document is not ideal for digital printing or cut vinyl banner printing. We suggest saving your PowerPoint file as a .PDF before sending. Please note that the quality of any placed pictures, within your artwork, is dependent on the resolution of the original file placed on the file (if file is a bitmap). In some instances we have had a problem with converting PowerPoint files for print production. If you submit a PowerPoint file, we will review the file before production, to check for any artwork issues. If you need help on preparing any of these file formats, please call our art department for assistance toll free at (866) 267-4467.
Microsoft Word
(We are currently running Microsoft Office 2007)
Microsoft Word file as not an optimal file format for digital printing or cut vinyl banner printing. When saving Word files, it is preferable, to save them as a .PDF instead of a .doc file. Word is not a design program and can problems can occur. Signs can not be produced using this program. We actually have to cut and paste the text (and images) into our drawing programs. When we do this font problems can occur as well as image resolution issues. If you need help on preparing any of these file formats, please call our art department for assistance toll free at (866) 267-4467.
