Artwork Guidelines

Designers Quick Tip Sheet

 

Color Matching:

All color matches require a PMS color to be called out. The production
department will do the rest. True spot colors, RGB builds or CMYK color
builds are not acceptable. Some colors are more likely to be achieved due
to device limits. However, all PMS colors are matched to their best
possible interpretation for the specific output device. Hard copies, print
outs or photos can be used as targets for color matching. All critical color
matches need to be specifically called out in the file, by e-mail and/or
written instructions.

Resolution (dpi) and File Size:

Work in full size when possible. When working in Photoshop prepare your
files at 100ppi at final size. Always supply layered files. However, if you
prefer to supply flat files, send both a layered and a flat version.

Embedded Images:

Never embed files within your design. Always include a separate file, or
"support file" for every placed image. Embedded files cannot be checked
for quality or adjusted for color and may act unpredictably when ripped at
output.

Fonts:

Include all fonts always. Postscript fonts are preferred.

Multiple Panel Projects:

When creating multiple panel files, set up as one image and at the exact
combined width. All images are tiled at the production level from a single
image. Designs generated as multiple files can incur production charges
and/or not be guaranteed to line up precisely. Attempt to have fonts and
logos miss panel splits. It is a good idea to measure out and include guides
where panels meet.

Printed Layouts:

Always include accurate prints of your design. Although colors may be
somewhat different due to the many output devices used for proofing, an
accurate layout helps confirm the composition of the file. If any fonts are
linked incorrectly or images shifted, our preflight department will have an
accurate map to reference. For e-transferred files, a flattened screen shot
may work as a quick reference of the layout.

Color Space (RGB or CMYK):

The general rule with RGB or CMYK is if the art is Raster (i.e. Photoshop)
use RGB, if it's vector use CMYK. In the long run it doesn't make a huge
difference. We tend to find that raster art looks better when kept as RGB
due to the larger gamut of our default working color space (AdobeRGB
1998), and vector art is more accurate when ripped as CMYK. This is
mainly due to our use of perceptual rendering intent for RGB and Relative
Colorimetric (with Black Point Compensation) for CMYK, which is the
current industry standard.

Software:

Adobe Creative Suite 3 (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Freehand and
QuarkXpress.
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Parent Category: Help and FAQ's

File Formats:

Adobe Illustrator Cs3 (Or Lower Version)

  • Files should be flattened without hidden layers; otherwise, it will not print.
  • Submit only what needs to be printed.
  • File should be saved as an EPS in CMYK.
  • All fonts MUST be converted to outlines (Type > Create Outlines).
  • All raster images should be embedded and not linked.
  • If any filters are applied (e.g., blurs or gradient mesh) the file must be rasterized in Photoshop and saved as a TIFF for final artwork submission.
  • To help get a smoother gradient without banding, the gradient should be created in Photoshop with noise added (from 1 to 3), saved as a TIFF, then brought back to Illustrator and combined with the rest of the artwork.

Adobe Photoshop Cs3 (Or Lower Version)

  • Files should be flattened without hidden layers; otherwise, it will not print.
  • Submit only what needs to be printed.
  • File should be saved as a TIFF in CMYK with LZW compression and ICC profiles checked on with no extra Alpha channels.
  • To help get a smoother gradient without banding, add noise (from 1 to 3). Multiple panel murals must be created on one single page. Do not tile panels onto multiple pages, unless there are hard color breaks. Try not to have the panel breaks run through letters or logos if at all possible.

 

Please Do Not Provide The Following Formats:

  • Adobe PDF, Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker, Quark Express, Freehand, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Corel Draw 

 

Document Size:

Adobe Illustrator And Photoshop Cs (Or Lower Version):

  • Files can be saved at 100% if software allows, or half size is acceptable.
  • Files should be created at 100-150 DPI at full size or proportionately scaled. Do not submit files at greater DPI than requested.
  • For custom-sized graphics, please provide a 1/4” bleed for trimming.

Color Guide:

All monitors display color in RGB. Since our output is in CMYK, not spot, colors will vary. Also, since every monitor is not the same, what you see on your monitor may vary from the actual print. Usually our color outputs will be approximately 90-95% accurate. It is not viable to match our print to another vendor’s print or to print on another substrate or media (i.e., brochure, business cards, etc.). If you want us to match against existing materials, there is a separate charge of $100 NET per hour for this color-matching service.

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Parent Category: Help and FAQ's

DIGITAL IMAGE FILE REQUIREMENTS

  • Both MAC and PC formats are acceptable.
  • CD-R's are the preferred media. DVD is also supported. We cannot be responsible for returning disks.
  • Include a color proof print of each file. Indicate file name, size and any PMS color specifications.
  • All files must be ready for output.
  • Clearly mark all CD's with the job reference name, and a direct contact phone number of the file designer.
  • Any special instructions are clearly marked on provided comps.
  • Note: any file manipulation may incur additional costs and an extended time line on your project. If required, additional charges will be incurred for file corrections and manipulation. Contact your LUMINENTS dealer for rates for these services.

All output graphics are to be submitted in one of three formats:

  1. Entirely in an RGB-based Adobe Photoshop document flattened and
    saved in an uncompressed TIFF format file.
  2.  A combination of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. If you choose
    this combination, Adobe Photoshop files should be saved as Photoshop
    EPS files, and LINKED to the Adobe Illustrator layout file. Please include
    BOTH the linked Photoshop EPS file and the llustrator (.ai) layout file. DO
    NOT EMBED the Photoshop file. We cannot modify your Photoshop file if
    the image is embedded.
  3. Exponents accept files via our FTP site. Compress raster files by saving
    in CMYK JPG format. Use the highest quality setting possible. Then use
    either Stuffit (Mac) or Winzip (PC) to compress files into one archive
    before uploading. Call Exponents for FTP site address information. Please
    only provide copies of the files that we will be outputting for you.
  4. Clearly indicate the names of the files to be printed.

LEAD-TIME

  • 10 working days are required for production when proofs are requested.
  • Proofs will be shipped within 48 hours of our receipt of the production files.
  • Proofs are NOT available after 7 days.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

  • Artwork created by Exponents must be approved/signed prior to printing.
  •  Lay out all files at 100%, whenever possible. If it is necessary to reduce the layout size, scale at either 50% or 25% of final output size.
  • The optimum target for raster/PhotoShop file resolution is 150 DPI at the final printed size. Lower resolutions can be used, but at the expense of the best looking graphics.
  • Photo images (bitmapped or raster images) should be at the following minimum dpi sizes at final output. Images must be saved in CMYK EPS format.
  • 100 dpi minimum - Large-scale banners and murals
  • 200 dpi minimum - Backlit graphics and poster output.
  • Provide all support files, raster image files (PhotoShop, EPS or TIFF),
  • Vector files (Illustrator EPS, Corel EDITABLE EPS)
  • NO BITMAP images (.JPEG, .BMP)
  • Convert all fonts & text to curves or outline, where applicable. Provide all fonts, both printer & screen fonts on disk or ftp with art.
  • Final output file must have all vector art (logos, text, Illustrator, Corel files) placed into a page layout program (such as Quark Xpress or Adobe
  • Illustrator or Freehand).

COLOR

  • Note: Large format printers are not Pantone™ devices. Colors will be close, but not exact. Please provide color proofs indicating the criticalcolors to match. The first Color Proof will be provided at no charge.
  • Additional proof prints are billed at $65 each (non-discountable).
  • All spot colors should be called out as Pantone™ colors for necessary color corrections.
  • Provide a color swatch for critical colors. Printer has a device that reads
  • and translates colors to PMS.
  • • Solid Black should be specified in 4-color process (100k 75y 75m 75c).
  • Vinyl, Dimensional & Pierce-cut Graphics

ARTWORK AND DIGITAL IMAGE FILE REQUIREMENT

  1. All artwork must be saved in a PC format.
  2. Provide graphic files on ZIP disks, Floppy disks, CDs or e-mail.
  3. All files must be ready for output.
  4. Include a print of each file indicating file name, size and PMS color
    specifications.


NOTE: Additional charges will be incurred for file corrections and
manipulation. Contact your LUMINENTS dealer for rates

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

  1. All images must be two-dimensional.
  2. Digital images and text must be outlines converted to paths or curves.
  3. Saved files in BOTH an EPS format and as a native file to eitheeAdobe Illustrator (.ai) or Corel draw (.cdr). (Sometimes one file format produces better results than the other.)
  4. Do not use colors, gradients or fills.
  5. NO BITMAP images (JPEG,TIF, BMP Files)
Details
Parent Category: Help and FAQ's