Frequently Asked Questions

If your artwork will need to be cut from the substrate or material its printed on, a cut path is required. In general, most large format print jobs require a 1/2″ bleed and vector cut path with a 100% magenta stroke.

Some jobs do not require a bleed, and usually just require your file be your artwork at the exact size.

All jobs that have different artwork or has different artwork on a second side, need to save each side of each set separately. For example, if you have a file for a 2-sided corrugated lawn sign that includes directionals, a SIDE A and SIDE B pdf file is required.

Another example is if you have a yard sign order for (20) Seniors of the local High School Basketball team that are to be printed double-sided. In this case, you would make (20) different pdf production files for each of the (20) team seniors, which will get printed with their personalized artwork on both sides.

For printing vinyl banners, save your file as a 300dpi pdf file at full size and in CMYK color mode

By default, banners come with grommets installed every 24″ or you can specify custom grommet placement. Banners can also be produced without grommets and instead, top and or bottom pole pockets.

For corrugated plasstic yard signs, save your file as a 300dpi pdf file in full size and in CMYK color mode. If your artwork includes directionals on each side, you will need to provide a separate SIDE A and SIDE B file to have the arrows pointing the same direction separately.

Keep in mind we also offer heavy duty yard sign stakes for more durability and longer life. Ask your project manager regarding the price for this upgrade to your job.

We offer flexible mobile advertising options when it comes to vinyl vehicle graphics projects. Pricing is generated by how much material is needed, design time accrued, the time it will take to install, and installation difficultness.

The terms “wrap graphics” and “spot graphics” are often used in the context of visual design, especially in areas like vehicle graphics, signage, and branding. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between them:

1. Wrap Graphics:

• Definition: A wrap refers to a large, seamless graphic that covers an entire surface or area, often wrapping around it. In the context of vehicle wraps, it involves covering a vehicle with a full or partial printed graphic, typically using vinyl materials.
• Design Style: Wrap graphics are typically large, high-resolution images, often with gradients, detailed designs, and full-color photographs. They are designed to cover large spaces smoothly and can be complex in nature.
• Application: Wraps are most commonly used for vehicle wraps (e.g., cars, trucks, buses), wall murals, window graphics, and building wraps. They’re also used for product packaging that covers the entire container.
• Characteristics:
  • Large format and can cover the entire surface.
  • Requires precise fitting to the contours of the surface being wrapped.
  • Often printed on large-format printers and then applied in pieces.

2. Spot Graphics:

• Definition: Spot graphics (sometimes referred to as “spot colors” or “spot printing”) are smaller, isolated graphics or design elements that are typically used as accents or highlights. These are not continuous or large-scale designs, but rather discrete graphics, often composed of solid colors.
• Design Style: Spot graphics often feature solid, flat colors (sometimes using spot color inks) without gradients or shading. These can be logos, text, simple icons, or other small images that stand out on a background.
• Application: Spot graphics are commonly used for logos, lettering, decals, and small design elements on vehicles, buildings, or signage.
• Characteristics:
  • Smaller and more focused than wraps.
  • Often consist of simple shapes, text, or logos.
  • Can be printed using spot color inks (specific pre-mixed inks used to achieve consistent colors, often used in printing).

Key Differences:

• Size and Coverage:

  • Wrap graphics cover large areas and are typically more complex.
  • Spot graphics are smaller and focus on discrete design elements.

• Design Complexity:

  • Wraps often include detailed, full-color designs (including gradients and photographic elements).
  • Spot graphics usually consist of simple shapes, logos, or text with solid colors.

• Use Case:

  • Wraps are used for large, attention-grabbing graphics on vehicles, buildings, or other large surfaces.
  • Spot graphics are used for branding elements (e.g., logos, names, simple graphics) that are applied to surfaces like vehicles, storefronts, or packaging.

Example:

• A vehicle wrap might cover the entire side of a van with a detailed image, logo, and contact information.
• Spot graphics on the same vehicle might include the logo on the door or the company name on the back window—simple, standalone elements of the larger design.

In summary, wrap graphics are larger, full-coverage designs, while spot graphics are smaller, more focused design elements, often with solid colors and simpler forms.

The main difference between raster and vector graphics lies in how they represent and store images. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Raster Graphics:

• Made of Pixels: Raster graphics are composed of a grid of individual pixels (small colored squares), each containing specific color and position information.
• Resolution-dependent: Raster images lose quality when scaled up. The more pixels there are, the higher the resolution and clarity, but if you enlarge them too much, they can become blurry or pixelated.
• Common Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF.
• Examples: Photographs, digital paintings, and scanned images.

2. Vector Graphics:

• Made of Paths: Vector graphics are defined by mathematical formulas that describe shapes, lines, and curves (using points, paths, and strokes). These paths are not made up of pixels.
• Resolution-independent: Because vector images are based on mathematical equations, they can be scaled infinitely without losing any quality or clarity.
• Common Formats: SVG, EPS, PDF, AI (Adobe Illustrator), CDR (CorelDRAW).
• Examples: Logos, illustrations, and icons.

Key Differences:

• Scaling: Raster images degrade when resized, while vector images can be resized without any loss in quality.
• File Size: Raster files can be larger because they store pixel data for every detail. Vector files are usually smaller since they only store the mathematical descriptions of paths and shapes.
• Use Cases: Raster is best for detailed images like photographs, while vector is ideal for designs that require scaling, like logos, icons, and illustrations.

In summary, raster is pixel-based and resolution-dependent, whereas vector is path-based and resolution-independent.