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File Preparation

Art Templates

  1. Size Matters

    Make sure that you download the right template, and if you are designing a retractable display, don't forget to bleed some image into the leader at the bottom of the graphic.

    Have enough resolution in your graphics. You should be at 150-200 ppi at full size.

  2. Get with the Program

    Please layout your file in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. If you have graphics in RGB format, leave them as RGB and choose Abobe RGB as your document color space.

    If your images are CMYK, leave them, and set your document up as a CMYK US SWOP color space.

    Please, no Quark documents. If you must author in Quark, please output the documents as high-resolution pdf's. We recommend not using Quark because the color managent is still pretty unpredictable, and can lead to disappoinments at output time.

  3. Save it for later

    When it's time to save your masterpiece for us to print, a few simple steps will help us give you what you want, without a lot of calls back and forth. (Although we love to chat, we're pretty sure you'd rather get the job done right the first time.)

    Photoshop files:

    Save as a copy, no layers, ICC profile checked. We'd suggest tif, lzw compression.

    Illustrator Files:

    A little tougher, but follow these steps:

    • Unlock all objects
    • Select all objects
    • In the menu, choose TYPE>Create Outlines
    • Choose Save As> AI file, Embed ICC profile
    Be sure to save the AI file and all linked images (you did link the images. didn't you) into a folder, zip it and sent it to us.

  4. Send it Off in Style

    • Small files - less than 4 megs, email it to us at files@speedydisplays.com
    • Medium files - Over 4 megs and under 100 meg. Use our file uploader or the free service at yousendit.com.
    • Larger files - Over 100 meg. Use our file uploader, or use an ftp client. Call us for a password.
    • FEDEX - If you don't want to fuss with the transfer, this is a good way to go.

And now, the rest of the story:

Here are some tips to help you avoid some of the common mistakes that we see over and over again:

Retractable displays:

Don't forget the leader. All retractable displays have a graphic panel that winds around a core before exiting the base of the display unit. It's usually 6" long, and appears on the templates we provide. If you are using a background color or pattern, run 3 inches of it into this area, so the background appears to run into the base. Likewise, keep all your type and important elements a couple inches above the slot in the base unit.

Retractables as back walls.

Many of our clients are now using multiple retractable displays like the Expand MediaScreenXL side by side to form back walls. They have magnetic tops that click together, leaving only about a 1/2 inch gap between units. Adobe Illustrator CS4 now has a neat feature called artboards. You can create a layout by using multiple artboards adjacent to each other (with a 1/2 space) to easily make multi-panel displays. We can output the multi-artboard file as individual panels easily and accurately.

Popup Displays:

These displays are usually 8 to 10 feet in width, and can be tough to design because of the file sizes produced.

It's important that you use a robust computer with a lot of RAM, and large scratch disks to stay sane during it's creation. That said, here are some tips to get this done efficiently:

  • We suggest dropping the resolution to 100 ppi for the photographic elements, and handling the type and layout in Adobe Illustrator. Workin RGB (Abobe RGB) also reduces file sizes by 1/4, making things go much more smoothly.
  • Take the time to convert all images into Abobe RGB color space. This will avoid transparency blending issues once you get to the layout stage.
  • Make sure that the document color mode in Adobe Illustrator is set to RGB color space, and the document's color profile is set to  Adobe RGB. Also set the effect>document raster effects settings to 150 ppi.
  • Create some layers. We suggest from top to bottom: Panel guides, Type, Art, and Background. This will allow you to selectively move items without disturbing others.
  • Mind the Gap. The mechanics of these displays does not allow for perfect alignment between panels, horizontally or vertically. Make sure that you do not put a letter on a seam. It is much better to align the copy so that WORD breaks occur over the panel seems. Alignment can also be a problem with graphic elements that have lots of lines (think mesh) that break panels. Be prepared for the potential of a misalignment of 1/16 of an inch either vertically or horizontally. It's better to make a simple design that is more exhibit friendly than to overdesign and have problems later. Forwarned is forearmed!

Stretch Fabric Displays

These are relatively easy to design for. The most important considerations are these:

  • The rendering of type on fabric is not as crisp as other materials. Keep the type large (above 24 point) and you'll be happy.
  • Front panels, End panels, and the meeting of the two. Because the fabric used stretches, the point where the front turns to become the end panel is not exact. Do NOT switch colors, use frames or borders to seperate end panels from the front panel. Keep the display design loose, so the alignment  of these panels is not critical.
  • Stitching. Again, because this fabric is stretchy, the stitchin areas indicated should be treated as a center-point, not a line. Allow + or - 2 inches from the stitch lines as a safety zone, and keep your type and graphics clear of those zones.