Nothing brings together a corporate event, trade show, or expo like a dazzling, spectacular banner. Large format graphics are the focal point of major events and are central to event branding and advertising strategies.
Due to the formatting differences between large format printing and smaller graphics, there are different graphic design rules to follow. What’s the design process for a large format graphic and how does it differ from that used to create smaller images? Learning what tweaks you’ll have to make to this process can help you easily design show-stopping graphics for your events.
You’ve heard something about event branding but you’ve already got a logo. What more is there?
CTA: Need a spectacular banner for your next event?
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LARGE FORMAT GRAPHICS DESIGN TIPS FOR LARGE BANNERS & MORE
Large format printing has some key differences from small format printing that need to be factored into any design you create. Grand format prints, prints that are larger than 70 by 100 inches, must awe their audiences and remain clearly visible at a distance, which influences what sort of color and imagery they utilize.
They also require extensive use of scaling throughout the design process, as working on a full-size version of a banner is impractical on a computer. Another struggle many face when designing large format graphics is not all printers have the expertise to successfully implement large format printing services, despite the availability of the technology.
DESIGNING FOR LARGE FORMAT PRINTING
Remember, graphic design rules change when working with large format graphics. Keep the following principles in mind when you’re designing an image for large format graphics printing:
1. USE PERSPECTIVE
When designing your large format print, one of the most important factors to keep in mind is the perspective from which attendees will view it. Images that are higher above attendees will appear different than those closer to ground height. This may affect the placement of images and text and what you want emphasized on your banner. Designs that are too complex or messages that aren’t clear are likely to get lost the further they are away from the ground.
2. WORK TO SCALE
Your large banner or other large format print could be massive once it’s finished, and this can be unwieldy to work with at full-size on a 13-inch screen. Consider scaling down your image to anywhere from ¼ to ⅙ of its size while working with it on a computer to make it more manageable.
You’ll still want to use a fairly high resolution at these smaller sizes so that when it scales you don’t have to make any further adjustments. Once you choose your large format printing service, make sure you let your printer know at what scale you were working with on your image so they can properly scale it to size.
3. CHOOSE A UNIQUE MATERIAL
Grand format prints don’t have to be limited to a vinyl canvas: fabric, a foam core board, wood, or even metal are all possible alternatives. The material you choose for your canvas can play a role in the functionality of your piece or where it is positioned at your venue. It can also enhance the image itself by adding texture or by providing an extra dimension to the colors you use.
Not all printers who offer large format printing services can work with a wide array of canvas materials for large format graphics printing, so you’ll want to find some that do before making a commitment.
4. SELECT PANTONE COLORS
Choosing the right color for your large banner can be a challenge because those on a computer screen might not be the ones you want for the finished product. This can be solved by selecting Pantone colors, which are universally recognized among printers. If you’re unable to do this, most printers and design programs use a CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and “Key” or typically Black) format, which means you can know how your banner will look as you design it.
For more color options, you might go with an RBG (Red, Blue, Green) format, which gives more color options than a CMYK format but might not translate to the software your printer uses. Because there are so many options, you may want to select the provider for your large format printing services before beginning your design to ensure compatibility.
5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FONT
A font can look different depending on the size of a banner and the distance your audience will be from it. Fonts with delicate, sophisticated features may appear blurry when transferred from a smaller image to a larger one.
The wrong font can also make your text hard to read, as certain letters may look different from a distance. Once you have the right font for your image, save your text as an image within your file in case your printer’s software is missing that font to prevent it from being converted to a different one.
SETTING UP ARTWORK FOR LARGE FORMAT PRINTING
Once you’ve considered the design of your large format graphic, you’ll need to prepare your artwork on software for printing.
6. ARE VECTORS BEST?
Vectored images are a much better option that raster graphics when working with large format prints. Vectored images can scale easily and aren’t subject to pixelation, while rasters tend to get blurry when they are scaled due to their limited number of pixels. Another benefit to vector graphics is the smaller file size. Though you can use raster graphics, we recommend using vector graphics when designing a large banner.
7. IS PHOTOSHOP OR ILLUSTRATOR BETTER?
Generally speaking, Illustrator is a better program to use than Photoshop when designing a large format print for several different reasons. Illustrator allows images to be created using vectors, which are 2D shapes defined by mathematical equations. Photoshop isn’t capable of creating vector images and can only use rasters, which are images that are created by a fixed distribution of pixels. While both are viable options, we do recommend using Illustrator when designing your large format graphics.
GETTING LARGE FORMAT GRAPHICS READY FOR PRINT
Once you have your large format print artwork ready on a computer, you’ll need to use the right strategy to turn it into a file ready for your large format printing services provider to print.
8. BEST FILE FORMAT
Vector files (.EPS or .AI) created in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign are the best types to use for transferring a large format graphic image. Vector files are made of paths, or smooth lines derived from mathematical equations, and can shrink or scale without pixelation. This is in contrast to bitmaps, which save images as a grid of pixels and can’t scale without pixelation.
Many designers use a hybrid of the two files, with the background saved as a bitmap and more sophisticated images saved as vectors.
9. WHAT RESOLUTION FOR PRINT
The resolution used for large format graphics is generally determined by its size and the distance at which audiences will be viewing the image. As a rule of thumb, use at least 150 dpi when designing an image if you intend for it to be viewed up to 10 feet away.
For graphics to be viewed at a greater distance, use a resolution of at least 60 dpi. You can use a lower resolution than you normally would for larger prints that are further away because the human eye will perceive more of the image than is present.
10. FIND A PRINTER SPECIALIZING IN GRAND FORMAT PRINTING
Once your file is ready for printing, you’ll need to find a large format printing services provider that is capable of bringing your vision to life. If your event is coming up soon, you’ll need a shop that has a proven track record of delivering its product on time and without flaws. Check out online reviews of printers and take a look at their portfolio of work. Try to work with a printer that already specializes in the type of large banner you want printed and the type of event you’re holding.
Your large format printer should be a partner for your business, capable of understanding your specific needs and able to deliver on time. Let Color Reflections handle your large format printing needs for your next event.
We have five decades of experience and will place the latest printing technologies at your disposal. With five locations across the United States and a proven track record of delivering for large corporate events, expos, and trade shows, we can successfully turn your large format graphic design into the centerpiece of your event.
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