The services for large format (wide format, grand format) printing services has grown significantly. As availability has increased for printing services, costs have decreased. Some types of large format printing include banners, banner stands, posters, rigid signs, window graphics, floor graphics, and wall graphics. Large format printing is used by advertisers, retail outlets, professionals, and private home usage.
Large format is “large” due to the width being wider than sheet fed digital or even offset presses. The media (vinyl, paper, fabric) width is specialized by the size of the rolls and the material that it’s printed on. The length of large format printing is only limited by what is easily handled. However, for more significant materials which include banners, the pieces might be sewn together to accomplish the ideal width. Inflexible signs are created by printing on vinyl with an adhesive coating and mounted to the substrate (PVC, froth center, aluminum). Some of the time, the work may directly be printed to the substrate on flatbed printers.
Considerations to Account for in Large Format Printing
Design Considerations:
Easy-to-read fonts: Use fonts that can be read quickly enough and large enough to be seen from a distance. Stick to two types of fonts if it’s possible. Most importantly, make sure your printed text is at least 1″ safety zone from the edge of your printing material.
Attention-grabbing colors: The printing experts at Xerographic Digital Printing can assist you with design. Although, it’s essential to choose a bold primary color over pastels. Red and yellow are attention-grabbing but be sure those colors coordinate with your logo or corporate color scheme.
Uncluttered: Simplify your message. Signs are meant to be eye-catching, not wordy. Focus on a clear, concise message. Use headers or bullets for clarity. It’s important to remember less is more when it comes to signage.
Bleed and Safety: Large formant demands more extensive, safety, and bleed zones. Use at least 1″ for the safety zone. For bleed use at least 1/2″.
File Formatting:
The number one rule to take notice of is your vectore when it comes to designing your graphics. Using the vectored art program allows the image to be blown up or adjusted without any blurring (which is commonly referred to as jpegging).
When submitting your photos for printing, they should be in the highest resolution possible. At least 300 DPI. Your photo file should be small; otherwise, it won’t print well. Now and then you may be able to tell how well the resolution will print if you enlarge the photo on your computer screen to its final size. If the picture appears blurry around the edges on your screen, it will blur when it prints. Try and stay away from photos on the internet. They are usually a low resolution and hard to print.
Use CMYK colors. Digital presses print CMYK. If your files are saved in PMS or any other format that palette will be converted at least once by ripping software. However, not all PMS colors convert perfectly to CMYK and certainly not the ones you’ve picked.Save your files in PDF or EPS format. Outline text as your print shop may not have that font that you’ve selected.
Numerous printing materials are used in large format printing. Especially when it comes to indoor usage where weather or sunlight is not a concern, high-quality vinyl graphics is all that is needed. In applications that require durability or protection, a laminate coating may be applied. Lamination will also sometimes brighten the colors. Let Xerographic Digital Printing help you design your large format banner or sign for your trade show, convention, conference, or corporate event.
