Submitting Graphic Files
Please read this page carefully before sending your artwork
Follow the instructions below to ensure your artwork is produced to your specifications. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact our Graphics Department.
NOTE: Artwork designed for and displayed on the Internet is not adequate for Large Format Digital Printing.
Artwork for Vinyl / Vector Graphics (tablethrow covers, vinyl signs & headers, etc...)
- Native or *.EPS files from Illustrator CS (11) or earlier, or Corel Draw 9.0 or earlier. Native files ONLY from Freehand 9.0 or earlier.
- Convert all fonts to Outlines or Curves.
- Save to PC format 3.5" floppy, 100MB or 250MB Zip Disk, or CDROM.
- Include a color printout of artwork or black and white with the color PMS #'s called out, also include list of fonts used.
- Important Note: Vinyl graphics must be "vectored." There will be additional charges for conversion of any raster images such as *.TIF's, *.JPG's, *.BMP's, etc.
- Call if you have any further questions.
Artwork for Digital / Raster Graphics (bannerstands, photo-based artwork, popup murals, etc...)
- Native or *.EPS files from Illustrator CS (11) or earlier, Photoshop CS (8) or earlier, or Corel Draw 9.0 or earlier. Native files ONLY from Freehand 9.0 or earlier. DO NOT save Photoshop files as EPS raster images.
- No Bleed Required. Please design all graphics to the exact size they are to be printed.
- Convert all fonts to Outlines or Curves.
- Include any linked or placed files. (any raster files should be in either CMYK or RGB and optimally at a maximum of 150dpi at final output size. DO NOT combine CMYK and RGB files in the same document)
- Resolution at 100% should be no more than 150dpi for raster images. Some images can be as low as 72dpi. Please contact the graphics department for further information regarding resolution and proper setup.
- Working in RGB color space is recommended. However, you may work in CMYK if required. But, we do not match CMYK color mixtures. If you wish to work in CMYK and have a CMYK match performed, you must supply us with a printed color swatch to work from. Otherwise, please provide a Pantone Spot Color in your file.
- Save to PC format 3.5" floppy, 100MB or 250MB Zip Disk or CDROM.
- Include a color printout of artwork or black and white with color PMS #'s called out.
- Call if you have any further questions.
Table Throws
Artwork should be simple, consisting of text and/or a logo without a lot of detail (no gradation or dot patterns). PMS colors can only be matched using Screen Printing. Call for information.
Colors
Include reference numbers for PMS colors or a printed sample of color desired. If color is critical please note as such and we will print a color proof for assurance if time permits. Printed color proofs are $80 each.
Note: Colors in Large Format Printing vary slightly from 4 color offset printing. If you wish to work in CMYK and have a CMYK match performed, you must supply us with a printed color swatch to work from.
Exporting
Some *.EPS and other exports do not respect page size or document setup. Draw a bounding box without any fill or bounding lines to represent page size. Position your artwork within that box as desired before exporting. DO NOT save Photoshop files as EPS raster images.
Software we DO NOT accept files from
These programs are not 100% compatible with our form of large scale printing.
- Adobe In Design, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Acrobat
- QuarkXPress
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft PhotoDraw, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher
If you have your artwork in one of the programs listed that we do not accept, please contact the Graphics Department for options.
Software Specifics
Adobe Illustrator:
Illustrator 9+ applications have some new effects/features that work unpredictably with the Graphics Department's large format rip systems. Although some of these features are great for web design, they increase the probability that what is produced is not what the designer intended. Shadows are a problem and the Graphics Department recommends these be achieved through PhotoShop. Transparencies and multiple transparent overlays flatten during the rip process and produce very undesirable results. Not only do some of these features increase turnaround time, but images are produced with unexpected results. Illustrator also includes new color management features that do not work. Adobe is aware of all the frustrations that are being experienced. The Graphics Department does not recommend you use these features in Illustrator. Sending any files created in Illustrator that do not contain any of the above mentioned features is acceptable.
If your Illustrator document has placed images (logos and/or photos) in it, make sure that the original logo file or photo file is included on the disk. The Graphics Department does not recommend using embedded images (an image that has been placed into Illustrator but is not linked to the original file), as we have no way of knowing whether or not the original image is of high enough quality.
NEVER scale raster images (ie: tif, bmp, jpg) inside Illustrator. Always pre-set the size in Photoshop first before placing it inside an Illustrator document.
Adobe Photoshop:
If you are requesting a specific element to be color matched in a bitmap file, please send the layered PhotoShop file along with that element on a separate layer. Additional comp time bay be added for color matching to a flattened file.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Always remove Alpha Channels and Paths from your Photoshop and TIF files prior to submitting to American Image Displays. DO NOT save Photoshop files as EPS raster images.
Macromedia Freehand:
If your Freehand document has placed images (logos and/or photos) in it, make sure that the original logo file or photo file is included on the disk. The Graphics Department does not recommend using embedded images (an image that has been placed into Freehand but is not linked to the original file), as we have no way of knowing whether or not the original image is of high enough quality.
Always save Freehand files in their native format. Do not send Freehand files as EPS.
NEVER scale raster images (ie: tif, bmp, jpg) inside Freehand. Always pre-set the size in Photoshop first before placing it inside a Freehand document.
Corel Draw:
If your images will be produced at a final size larger than 8.5" tall, do not use any of the Corel pattern fills, textures, or photos. These images are not intended for large format printing and are very low res. Because of this, the images will be pixilated when they are printed larger than 8.5" high. If you are using Corel filters on your PC, you must export your file as an Illustrator or EPS.
If your Corel Draw document has placed images (logos and/or photos) in it, make sure that the original logo file or photo file is included on the disk.
NEVER scale raster images (ie: tif, bmp, jpg) inside CorelDraw. Always pre-set the size in Photoshop first before placing it inside a Corel document.
Scanning
If you are providing your own images for us to use in a large format, you will need to have a high resolution drum scan done from a transparency. While a 35mm slide or negative will work fine for smaller graphics, a larger image, such as a photo mural or banner, will need to be scanned from a larger 5x5 transparency. Keep in mind that the quality of the scan is also dependent on the size and quality of the original film or artwork. For example, producing a 4-panel mural (118" x 90") from a slide or out of focus transparency will compromise the quality no matter how high the scan resolution. The quality can also be compromised when using a duplicate transparency.
When scanning film or other artwork for Inkjet or Lambda printing, it is best to use the following specification guidelines:
Provide a minimum input resolution of approximately 100dpi when scaled to the final print size, in RGB or CMYK color space. Save as TIF or PhotoShop file.
