Design Tips
Basics of File Types
Graphic Programs
File Uses
Resolution and Printing |
Design Tips
Their are many factors in designing a sign from concepts, integrating
logos and fonts, to manufacturing details. Creating Designs from scratch
allows the designer to create files that best suit the needs of the
company.
Please read on to help provide us with
the best possible files to allow us to create highest quality of sign
product for you.
Basics of File Types:
| Vector files
retain information allowing you to edit and select shapes, these files
can allow you to generate files of varying resolution. These files
also allow scaling without loss in quality.
Raster files have pixilated information
defining what resolution and color each individual pixel is. Any form
of editing Raster files require more extensive tools and time.
Resolution is locked in these types of files. |
| Vector |
Raster |
 |
|
One does not do out the other by any
means but each has is defined purpose. Raster files are used for more
Photo like images and shades and colors. Where Vector has more solid
blocks of color with in a specific shape.
Graphic Programs:
With various file types and programs used to design their is a wide
variety of file types associated with each of the programs. Their are to
basic program types ones that edit Vector Files and ones that edit
Raster Files.
| Vector
Types |
Raster
Types |
|
Adobe Illustrator |
Ai, Eps, Pdf |
Adobe Photoshop |
Psd, jpg, gif,
tif, png |
|
Corel Draw |
Cdr, Eps, Pdf |
Corel Painter |
Cpt,
jpg, gif, tif, png |
|
Microsoft |
Wmf |
|
|
These are not all the editing programs out their but
the most powerful and user friendly.
Sign Factory Wholesale is a strong user of Adobe Illustrator
and Adobe Photoshop thus these files are most compatible for our
use.
File Uses:
Plotting -
Plotting is the process of running vinyl through a plotter and
allowing a blade to cut the vinyl out using
Vector based
information. The blade follows the coordinates along the path from
point to point. |
 |
Thermal Spot
Printing -
Spot Printing is the process of printing clearly within shapes
or strokes along shapes defined by Vector
based
information. The printer fills the shapes with one solid color
filling the shape with no bleed off. The Print then can be plotted
at close range or along the shape with marginal quality.
|
 |
Thermal Process
Printing -
Process Printing uses a mixture and combination of CMYK(
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) to create the color for each
defined pixel defined in a Raster Based file type. Much
like newspaper printing it uses color separation and a dot pattern
to create shapes and blocks of color with a minimal amount of
bleed off. |
400:1 Scale |
Thermal Spot
Process -
Is the Process of defining the Grey-scale tone or percentage
of each pixel and assigning it the same value for a Spot Color.
This process allows you to create a monotone print as defined by a
Raster Based File.
See Resolution and Printing Below
for more info. |
400:1 Scale |
Resolution and
Printing
As the uses for these files vary you have to allow for qualities of the
same files for each of these types.
| Original
(Monitor) |
Process Print |
Spot Process Print |
 |
 |
 |
Resolution Uses:
Internet Images
72 Dpi
Paper Print
300Dpi
Map Printing
1440 Dpi
Resolution helps define the quality of the
printed image with a max resolution at 300 dpi. For our Thermal
Printing Process. Lower the Dpi the Lower the Quality of Print
Lpi (Lines per Inch) - defines the dots along
an angled line per square inch.
Dpi (Dots per Inch) - defines the dots in a file per square inch.
As your Scanner, Digital Camera, and Monitor Display
Dpi when they are translated to any form of print they are
converted to Lpi.
|
