301-946-6200

Never a Rush Charge

301-946-6200

​thesignshop@aol.com

Vector Files (Lines & Shapes):

  • * Adobe Illustrator (AI) for PC
  • * EPS or PDF
  • * PC (NO MAC FILES) 
  • * PDF
  • * DO NOT CONVERT JPEG TO EPS OR EPS TO JPG
  • *CDR (Corel Draw)


 EPS/AI vector files created in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw produce the best results for producing signs and graphics. They can be edited, sized, color can be changed and have no loss of resolution they are line art.


We do not accept Quark, Word Perfect 

Vector files can be engraved.

Raster Files (Pixels) Photos:

  • * High resolution TIFF, JPEG, or Bitmap
  • DO NOT USE GIF FILES OR COPIES AND EXPECT TO GET QUALITY RESULTS. PUT THE IMAGE ON A COPY MACHINE

          ENLARGE IT 5 TIMES WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT WILL

          PRINT

 

      The best test to see if you will be pleased with the final resolution of your printed project is to enlarge the file to 100% on your computer monitor, step back and view it. How the resolution appears on your monitor will be very similar to how it will appear on your finished sign or banner. But, keep in mind that most large format digital graphics are viewed from distances that permit lower resolution output.

Important Note: The higher the resolution of your files, the better the final output will be.

Resolution Guidelines for Raster Files: For interior signs where people will be viewing the graphics from a close distance or where the size of the display is not too large:

  • Good Quality: 100-150dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • Medium Quality: 75-100dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • Medium-Low Quality: 50-75dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • Low Quality: Less than 50dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • For exterior signs where people will be viewing the graphics from a great distance or where the size of the display is large:
  • Good Quality: 50-150dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • Medium-Low Quality: 25-50dpi at ACTUAL SIZE
  • Low Quality: Less than 50dpi at ACTUAL SIZE


For any project, if your file is larger than 200mb, it is probably much larger than it needs to be. You can reduce the physical size of the file and resave it or reduce the resolution and resave it.

***Colors on the monitor do not reflect actual printed colors.


Preferred File Formats​