PRINT question
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- drbyers
i'm working on a banner, and the printer requested the banner design be converted from actual footage to inches at 600 dpi.
meaning a 3 foot by 5 foot ad would be submitted as 3 inches by 5 inches.
My question is should I design any bitmap images at the original larger size or at the smaller size?
- SLAZ0
dont use bitmap images at all, use .tif or .eps.. also depends what program you are creating these files in, some sigange comanies have issue exporting larger sizes from some apps... you should ask for more requirements from them.
- atomica0
I think he meant bitmap as in raster ie. not postscript/vector.
- atomica0
Oh and to answer the question, its not clear, but the way you're stating it - it won't make to much a difference if it's being scaled down anyhow. Depending on the piece though, for optimal output, I'd work in vector....
- 2cent0
your post is a bit vague, but if your final banner is going to be printed at a size of 3 feet by 5 feet having your file built at 3 inches by 5 inches @ 600dpi the final printed piece is going to look all blown out to shit.
do you realise your final print resolution is going to be 50 dpi...how far away are people going to be looking at this thing?
- Gorbie0
don't worry and do as they say. Create the ad at those dimensions and you'll be fine.
for an advertisment that is to 3' x 5' it won't need to be as hi-res as you think. Ads that size are viewed from a distance where your eye can't tell the difference. I've done quite a few displays that were always printed at (about) 140 dpi - and they always looked great.
Listen to your printer. And if you have further questions - don't hesitate to ask them. That's what they do.
- TResudek0
That sounds ok if this is going to be a sign that will be far from anyone viewing it.... of course at 3 feet by 5 feet that shouldn't be too far.
Either way, design it at the specs it will be printed. All of your graphics should be 600 dpi and sized to fit 3 inches x 5 inches.
TR
- 2cent0
big difference between 140dpi and 50dpi.
but hey its your job...do whatever you want.
personally on big jobs i have never sent out anything smaller than 100 dpi and that res is usually for billboards.
- swollenelbow0
your 3" x 5" images should be same res. as 3' x 5'. no change. i use dummy images at reduced res. for client approvals. all artwork going to print should be ready to go!
- 2cent0
oh...and don't always trust your printer unless you've worked with them quite a bit and you can trust them.
Just cuz they're the printer doesn't mean they know everything...specially when dealing with ma & pa type joke shops.
- Gorbie0
you shouldn't work with a printer you don't trust. You'll get mixed advise here.. always.
Though 2cent is right. 50dpi is very low.
your printer should be aware of your concerns, tho. That way you two can work something out if there seems to be a problem.
If you are still concerned after speaking with them - ask for a small section of the project printed out @100% to see how it looks.
- 2cent0
"You'll get mixed advise here.. always."
Aint that the truth Gorbie :)
And to second what Gorbie said...always, always get a proof to sign off from the printer when working on print jobs.
- swollenelbow0
look, boys, i print all day. i don't give mixed advice.
punks. =)
- drbyers0
hey doods, thanx for the advice.
I guess I'll call the printer tomorrow.
they sent some design guidelines instructing me to convert the ad down dimensionally. whatever that means.
it said a 3 foot by 5 foot ad should be submitted at 3 inches by 5 inches at 600 dpi. Oh yeah, the flag is for a technology conference to be flown outside on a pole.
I'm figuring it'll have GIGANTIC round pixels after being printed, but hopefully the distance thing will compensate.
I just love print. dont you?