Specifications for graphics to be kept in mind while designing a banner

Often we tend to get confused when it comes to scaling the artwork during banner design. I am sure many of you might have faced issues due to improper picture resolution. There are times when you design a banner on your computer, it looks just fine, but as soon as you submit them for printing, the picture gets blurry or in other terms it pixelates.

Graphics could be either raster or vector. The raster graphics image is a dot matrix structure generally representing a rectangular grid of pixels. They are resolution dependent so they cannot scale after a certain resolution without affecting the picture quality. e.g. MS Paint. For CMYK 4 color process printing 150-300 pixels per inch works decently good. While on the other hand, vector graphics use geometric principles like a line, curve and shapes all of which are based on mathematical expressions to represent images in computer graphics. Line art is scalable to any size and never loses resolution; hence image will stay clean and crisp. They can be submitted at any size proportionate to the banner size ordered.They use controlled points and nodes each of which can be expressed in x and y mathematical co-ordinates. e.g. Illustrator. Yes, all more so for the 2D images.

For sure there are certain norms to be kept in mind whiledesigning the graphics to maintain certain high levels of resolutions. Mainly these three metrics matter:

• File type: Using vector software to develop images helps a great deal in keeping the file size restricted along with maintaining a very high picture quality. The images so created are vector graphic image.

• File format: The format in which you submit a picture for printing matters say a lot about the picture as well. The most acceptable formats are EPS (Encapsulated Post Script), AI (Adobe Illustrator), PDF (Adobe PDF), PSD (Adobe Photoshop), JPG (High Resolution JPEG) and TIFF (High Resolution TIFF).

• Resolution: If using raster graphic images, depending on the resolution, they get blurry as enlarged for e.g. PSD, JPG, and TIFF. The rule says:

• 100% scale (full size output) at 100 dpi
• 50% scale at 200 dpi or higher
• 25% scale at 300 dpi or higher10% scale at
• 600-1200 dpi recommended

Thumbnail sized jpg and gif.files are not at a high enough resolution to be used on large prints like banners.

The following tips may come in handy:

• No bleeds are necessary (unless ordering a banner stand that requires one).A page bleed is shown on the following image:

• To reduce costs, if possible, redesign to eliminate the bleed or reduce the page size enough to fit the work on a smaller sheet of paper.
• Set up size proportionate to the exact size banner you are ordering.
• To prevent any text or important images from falling on the hemline or interrupted by a grommet, you will want to keep them at least 2″ away from edge such that they are not on the trim edge. Of course any image past the trim line is cut off.
• While submitting any of the acceptable forms of image file, be sure to convert all text/fonts to outlines or curves.

For more details on image scaling feel free to contact our expert designers who provide artwork services for no additional cost only at https://www.bannerbuzz.com/