Santa Barbara Signs & Graphics - Preparing & Sending Files for Digital Printing

preparing files for digital printing

We are able to print directly from files saved in many Mac and PC graphics applications. Many graphics file types can be brought directly into our Onyx Postershop 7.6 and X10 Raster Image Processors (RIPs). Direct printing vector file formats include encapsulated postscript (EPS) and Adobe PDF. Direct printing bitmap formats include JPEG and TIFF formats as well as Photoshop EPS files. Text within vector EPS files must be converted to outlines, paths or curves to avoid any font issues. Files that include bitmaps need to have sufficient resolution for proper reproduction at the typically large sizes for posters and banners. For close viewing (under five feet), the resolution should be 150 to 200 pixels per inch (ppi) at the final printing size; for longer viewing (over five feet), the resolution should be 75 to 100 ppi.

Many page layout programs, including Adobe Indesign and QuarkXpress, will save a high resolution PDF file for printing. Files may be saved at a reduced size of the final print, but the resolution of that file must be higher to compensate for the final size. Many other applications, such as Word and Excel, can also make a PDF file using a third party PDF generator such as PrimoPDF or Cute PDF (see resources below). Adobe Acrobat Reader may be used to verify your PDF files (download available below)

Native-format files, such as Illustrator and Quark files, may be used with all graphics provided, but additional make ready charges and lead times will apply for conversion to a printable file format (such as EPS or PDF). Please note that for copyright reasons we can not accept client font files.

Printing files may be RGB or CMYK, but for best results, all objects created in the application, as well as all embedded and linked files, must be in the same color format. RGB files have the widest initial color gamut for hi fi color printing without the limitations of CMYK (see printer ink color gamut information under Technologies), but some applications, such as QuarkXpress, do not support RGB file output. RGB files must include an embedded profile or a profile callout (Adobe RGB 1998 is preferred) for proper RIP color conversion. CMYK files can either include an embedded profile (in the case of TIFF files) or a profile callout (SWOP v2 preferred). CMYK files will print within the constraints of the CMYK color gamut, so for extended color gamut (using the orange and green inks for solvent printing, for example), files should be provided in an RGB color space with an ICC profile assigned.

Each of our printers has a different color gamut capability due to the inks and media used, but colors will be reasonably close if profiles are included. Color proofs are recommended where color is critical. Please contact us directly for details.

providing/sending files

Files may be supplied on flash drive, CD or DVD, Mac or PC. You can e-mail smaller files (up to 12MB) to our address. Our FTP site is available for larger files (instruction link below). You also may want to consider a file transfer service such as YouSendIt (below). Here are some links that you may find useful:

For our FTP site transfer instructions click here. For a Cute PDF program download click here.

For a YouSendit program download click here.

These links were current when added to this page and are provided as-is. We provide no warranty for fitness of use.