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Use this handy guide as a cheat sheet for your next graphics project. We print with state of the art large and grand format digital printers. We regularly maintain, test the output, and calibrate our printers to achieve consistent quality output. To ensure printability and color reproduction accuracy, it is important this information be followed as each print file is being produced.

Oversize / Large Format Graphics

Cut to Shape / Contour Cut

Pre-Press Technicians

Other Terms & Information

Errors in Files

Artwork Proofing

Turnaround Time

FILE DETAILS

What kind of file formats do you accept?

We prefer PDFs (Portable Document Format) (PDF/x-4:2008). Other acceptable file formats are:

AI
EPS
TIFF

Depending on the software, some helpful settings for saving to PDF include:

Preserve Editing Capabilities
COMPRESSION - "Do Not Downsample" and the Compression to none. Although it may create a larger file, it may help eliminate resolution issues of raster images
Uncheck "All Printer’s Marks" and "Bleed" settings
For a more accurate color representation, there should be "No Conversion" for the "Color Conversion" and the "Profile Inclusion Policy" should be set to "Include All RGB and Tagged Source CMYK Profiles."

Some software and older programs may not provide all of the above options. Files can also be saved using the Adobe PDF Preset: PDF/x-4:2008

What resolution do my graphics need to be set to?

We prefer a minimum print file resolution of 100 dpi and recommend a maximum resolution of 300 dpi. A printed resolution of 72 dpi can be visually acceptable if the viewing distance of the printed graphic is more than 20 feet.

Average Resolution and Viewing Distance:

Five feet or less = 150-200 dpi
Five feet to 20 feet = 100-150 dpi
Distances more than 20 feet = 50-72 dpi

Please supply your files with the proper resolution for the intended viewing distance.

(DPI) Raster Images: Minimum recommended resolution of Raster images is 72 dpi at final output size.

How to handle oversize or large-format graphics

File Scaling Files should be set up at actual size and all text in files must be "converted to outlines" or converted to curves (paths) and all linked images should be embedded. Because Adobe Illustrator restricts files to 227" when either dimension of the image exceeds 227" it will be necessary to provide a reduced file when this is the case.

Scale the file to 75%, 50%, 25%, or 10% reduction while maintaining the correct proportions.

Color Reproduction & Matching

All printers and ink combinations have a finite number of individual colors they can reproduce. This is known as the color gamut. Digital printing can produce more colors (a larger gamut) than most analog printing processes (like offset printing).

There is still a limit as not all colors designed into a file will be able to be reproduced. If the color specified in a vector file is a Pantone Matching System (PMS) spot color our RIP software color management system will interpret the color based upon the profile(s) and reproduce the color as close as possible. If the file does not specify the colors as spot colors, but instead as CMYK values then the files are printed "as is" and the printed colors are more likely to shift from expected results.

When there is a color in the file considered critical that must be reproduced to a specific standard, our printing technicians can attempt to achieve the color if a spot color is specified in your file.

Slight color variations should be considered acceptable and will be defined by a delta E reading of plus or minus three to five. Because printers and conditions change over time, new printers replace old ones, and prints fade over time, if the same file is ordered again in the future, it is likely the print will not match exactly. There should be no expectation that a file will have no discernible visual difference when purchased multiple times over the space of months or years.

In the event a printed sample is desired, an order may be placed at the standard square foot price.

RGB vs CMYK vs PMS?

Input Profiles Files may be supplied in either RGB or CMYK and should have an input ICC profile embedded to ensure accurate color management.

If an ICC input profile is not assigned sRGB or Coated GRACol 2006 will be assigned by Gregory, Inc.

A common misconception when it comes to color is just because a printer uses CMYK inks, it must be a CMYK file, when in reality an RGB image gives a much wider range of color. L-a-b and Pantone formats will also produce a more accurate color rendition.

If the color specified is in a vector file and is a Pantone Matching System (PMS) spot color, our RIP software color management system will interpret the color based upon the profile(s) and reproduce it as close as possible. If the file does not specify the PMS color, but CMYK values instead, then the files are printed “as is” and the printed colors are more likely to shift from expected results.

Color Matching - We can do that!

When a color in the file is considered critical and must be reproduced to a specific standard, our printing technicians can attempt to achieve the color specified and should be named as a custom spot color in your file. You may experience additional charges to achieve the color as close as the gamut of the ink and printer allow. Contact Us for more information!

Color Variations

We regularly test the output of our printers and calibrate our printers to achieve a consistent quality output. However, this does not mean that a print will look exactly like it looks on your computer screen or that all colors will faithfully reproduce.

Most computer monitors are designed to make pictures look as vivid and pretty as they possibly can. Manufacturers accomplish this by turning up the contrast and saturation to lead you to believe their monitor is better. This result in highly saturated and contrasted images with bright colors that cannot be produced on most printers.

You can increase the probability of receiving acceptable colors if the color specified in a vector file is a Pantone Matching System (PMS) spot color. Our RIP software color management system will recognize the PMS designation and interrupt the color based upon profile(s) and reproduce the color as close as is possible.

If the file does not specify the colors as spot colors, but instead as CMYK values then the files are printed "as is" and the printed colors are more likely to shift from expected results. If you submit a file in RGB, colors will shift when we switch the file to CMYK. This can also lead to loss of effects.

What about my fonts?

Outlining fonts in your files will ensure that the font’s appearance is preserved when your files are sent to print. The font is converted to an object so that, if corrections are needed for print production purposes, our preflight team will not need to own the font in order to make the needed adjustment.

Here's a hint; after you outline your fonts, they can no longer be edited. It is a good idea to save the print file as a copy with the outlined fonts, and keep your working file with editable text.

MATERIAL GUIDELINES

Vinyl Material Specifications & Maximum Dimensions

When the size of the graphic you need produced exceeds the size of the material to print on, the image will be broken into pieces in order to be produced.

If the item is an adhesive vinyl or a rigid graphic, individual pieces will be sent. During the application or installation process the individual pieces will go back together and the image will line up. We will break images into pieces that achieve the most efficient use of materials.

Graphic Vinyls: You will need to prepare for a seam if both dimensions are larger than 52", please note that your graphic will be paneled with a ¼" overlap on each panel *see exceptions below

Banners: 122" is the maximum dimension.
We seam our banners with a 1” overlap of the two panels and will weld them back together to deliver to you a one-piece banner.

Floor Graphics & Windows: These graphics are usually installed without an overlap, so the panels will come so that you can install them butted together.

Computer Cut Vinyls: Maximum dimension for cutting is 51.5”.

Paneling

Images will be paneled for the best use of material, however, custom panels can be accommodated for an additional charge.

Cutting Tolerance for Print

There is always a slight variation that occurs when print projects are cut to size.

Gregory recommends using a tolerance of 1/4" per foot of the image, meaning our trim line can vary up to 1/4".

We can achieve an exact print size by computer cutting your graphic.

As a rule, the file you supply should be full size and in proportion.

If additional material is required beyond the finished visual graphic, it should be incorporated into the file size. Gregory, Inc. is not liable for not receiving enough margin material if it is not incorporated into your file.

For example, you order a flex face with a visual opening of 10 feet by 10 feet, you want an additional 2 inches of the graphic to bleed all around past the visual opening, AND you want an additional 6 inches all around for attachment to a frame, your file should be set up at 11 feet 4 inches square.

*The square foot cost for the graphic will be based upon the total graphic surface area including margins and bleeds.

Cut to Shape (Contour Cut)

A file being cut to shape (contour cut) must include a cut contour line set up on a separate layer and a custom spot color layer. Both layers are to be named "CutContour".

A printed bleed of .25" beyond the cut contour line is recommended and all cut elements must have a minimum stroke thickness of .1".

Text elements must be a minimum of .75" in height.

Pre Press Technicians

When we receive your file, we will review it and inform you if there are any problems that need to be fixed. You may choose to make the changes and resubmit a new file or you can have our expert Prepress Technicians make the adjustments for a charge based upon the time required to perform the repairs.

Other Printing Terms and Information

Transparencies, Gaussian Blurs, and Overprints can cause adverse color effects and may not produce correctly. These should be avoided.

A raster image will not allow our software to match specified PMS spot colors. Please remove all unnecessary elements from your document and save each design as a separate file.

A computer monitor is not an accurate guide of the final color. For accurate color representation, use a vector file with PANTONE (PMS) spot colors assigned.

PRINTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Turnaround time

Our standard turnaround production time is next day from the time of proof approval. If you choose to not have a proof sent to you for review, your order will go immediately into production with no proofing by our technicians. Rush services can be available depending on our production schedule. You will need to contact a customer service representative for more information on the costs involved with rush requests.

How do I proof my Artwork

Our standard is to send a PDF proof for approval via email. You can decline the receipt of the PDF proof at the time you place your order. The purpose of the PDF proof is to show what the design looks like.

Please keep in mind this in only a low resolution image of the artwork that you submitted and it is not a proof to approve color. You must approve the proof before your order is put into production.

A press proof can be provided for a fee if you need to see an actual representation of what will be printed. Please contact one of our Customer Service Representatives to arrange for a press proof to be produced.

Your project won't be printed until you have approved the proof, or if you have declined receiving a pdf proof while placing your order.

Errors in Files

Gregory, Inc. is not responsible for typos, incorrect information, or colors in a supplied file. In the event there are errors, a new file may be submitted or when possible, adjustments may be made by our Art Department for an additional charge.

What happens if there is a problem with the file I submit?

For proofing purposes, you must doublecheck graphic details, however, if we have a problem opening or seeing your file we will contact you.

Depending on the issue found, you may choose to correct the problem and resubmit your file or we can correct the file for a fee.

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