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.

FTP / Uploads / Email
American Image Displays does not currently provide a customer FTP location. However, there are many FREE FTP based sites on the Internet that can provide this service for you. We recommend www.yousendit.com, www.megaupload.com, or www.mailbigfile.com.The sites will allow large file uploads with direct download links. If for some reason these sites will not function for you, please call us and ask for the graphics department.

When using one of these sites, you provide an email address as the recipient so we are notified of the file. Use the following address for this purpose. . Be sure to include a message in the supplied comment box with your contact information so we know what this file is for. Please zip/stuff everything into one file.

NOTE: You may also simply upload your files to your own corporate/personal server and forward us either a link for download or FTP instructions to access your files.

Emailing Files: You may email files to us if they are below 10mb in size for your entire project. Do not email multiple 10mb files for the same project. For those situations please zip/stuff everything into one file and use the upload instructions above. To email small files, please send your file to the address listed below. Be sure to include a reference to your company name, the project involved, and contact information.

Follow these guidelines when sending graphics:

1. Native files from Illustrator CS2 (12) or earlier, Photoshop CS2 (9) or earlier, InDesign CS2 (4) or earlier, Corel Draw 12 or earlier or from Freehand 10 or earlier. Please see specific requirements below in regards to each software package.
2. DO NOT save Photoshop/Bitmap files as EPS raster images.
3. If you are sending a flattened file from Photoshop, please save that file as a LEVEL 12 JPG image in RGB format at 100% scale.
4. No bleed required in most cases. Please design all graphics to the exact size they are to be printed.
5. Convert all fonts to Outlines or Curves.
6. DO NOT embed your raster images into your layout program (ie: Illustrator, DRAW or Freehand). Please "link" these images using the appropriate proceedure according to your software.
7. Include any linked or placed files. Do not place .EPS raster images in your layout program. Save .EPS raster images as either .TIF images or Level 12 JPG images before placing them into your layout program. Do not place .EPS vector images either. Simply cut and paste those vector objects directly to your layout file.
8. Resolution at 100% should be no more than 120dpi for raster images. Some images (those without text) can be as low as 72dpi. Please contact the graphics department for further information regarding resolution and proper setup.
9. WARNING, do not save raster images in DCS plate format. Any jobs submitted in this manner will be refused.
10. 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 Coated Color in your file.
11. Save to PC 100MB or 250MB Zip Disk, CDROM or CDDVD. Or, upload the file using the instructions at the top of this page.
12. Include a color printout of artwork or black and white with color PMS #'s called out. You may also send a low resolution PDF or JPG preview with this information called out.
13. Call if you have any further questions.

NOTE: Graphics for Vinyl projects can only be completed with Vector files. Your Sales Representative will notify you if your project falls into this catagory. There will be additional charges for conversion of any raster images such as *.TIF's, *.JPG's, *.BMP's, etc. Vinyl projects can include, but are not limited to, single and two color headers, tablethrow covers and various text graphics. Vector file format extensions often are: .ai, .eps, .cdr, .fh9 or fh10.

Software we DO NOT accept files from
These programs are not 100% compatible with our form of large scale printing.

• 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.

Colors
Include reference numbers for Pantone SPOT Coated 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. Critical color matching for dyesublimation prints is subject to an additional $16.50 per Pantone or swatch match. Please call for more information. 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. When possible, do not export your documents. Simply send us the native file according to the software requirements above.

Xpressions & Xpressions SNAP
Full graphic sizes for our Xpressions displays will be found on the appropriate product page in PDF format for each unit. However, Xpressions displays have a tension fabric setup. Therefore, you should review our X-FACTOR rules when preparing your graphics.

Software Specifics

Adobe Illustrator / InDesign:
Illustrator 9+ applications and InDesign 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 and many offset printing functions, they increase the probability that what is produced is not what the designer intended during large format output. 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/InDesign 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.

Always save Illustrator/InDesign files in their native format. Do not send files as EPS.

NEVER scale raster images (ie: tif, bmp, jpg) inside Illustrator/InDesign. Always pre-set the size in Photoshop first before placing it inside an Illustrator document.

When saving Illustrator files, be sure to turn off the "PDF Compatibility" and the "Include Linked Files" features during the "Save As" proceedure. This will minimize the file size substantially.

Adobe Photoshop:
If you are requesting a specific element to be color matched in a raster 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.

If you are sending a flattened Photoshop file, please save the file as a LEVEL 12 JPG image in RGB format at 100% scale.

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. WARNING, do not save raster images in DCS plate format. Any jobs submitted in this manner will be refused.

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 save multiple documents in a single Freehand file. Please supply individual files for each graphic you wish to print.

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/Photopaint 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 maximum input resolution of 120dpi when scaled to the final print size, in RGB or CMYK color space. Save as layered PhotoShop file if image has Pantone Spot Color Match requirements or flattened Level 12 JPG if no specific color matching is required.

Single Color Heat Transfer Vinyl Logo Table Throws

Artwork should be simple, consisting of text and/or a logo without a lot of detail (no gradation or dot patterns). Vector files are required for this type of application. PMS colors can only be matched using Screen Printing. Call for information.