File Requirements

The following file formats are required to ensure we produce your sign graphcs at the highest possible level of quality .

Adobe Illustrator Version CS or Lower

(VectorFiles) - .ai, .eps, OR .pdf files, this is the most

compatible type of artwork.  All Text must be

converted to outlines/curves.  If you are unable to

convert the text to outlines/curves, you will need to

include the font as PC True Type or Adobe Type 1

fonts.  If file contains a Rastered file (i.e. pixel file),

that file must be a minimum of 300 DPI.   

Please include PMS colors if necessary.

Adobe Photoshop

(Raster Files) - .jpg, .tif, .bmp, .pcx, etc.  If file is

smaller than final output size, the file has to be

created at a minimum of 300 DPI.  If file is the same

size as the final output, the file can be created

at a minimum of 100-150 DPI.  Please contact

Signs By Tomorrow in Sunrise to determine

what resolution is needed for your artwork.

Note:  If possible, please supply a

color print out of the file.

BASIC TERMINOLOGY

Vector Art

Vector artwork, like an Adobe Illustrator file, is made

up of line segments with starting and ending points.

When these line segments are put together into a

closed form, you get a shape, like a square.  This is

the preferred type of artwork for most basic signs.

File types supported: AI, EPS, PDF, DXF, DWF

Bitmap/Raster Art

Bitmaps, or Raster Images, are made up of tiny dots.

If you put a magnifying glass up to your computer

screen or a printed page, you would see that these

little dots are crowded next to each other to form

the image.  A bitmap does not contain line segments.

The generic term bitmap can sometimes cause

confusion because it is a type of artwork, but it can

also be the file extention BMP.  Bitmap artwork is

typically used in more complex signs and usually

must be printed.  Any bitmap images that will be used

in a sign should be 100-150 DPI at full size (the size

at which it will be printed).

File types supported: BMP, TIF, JPG, PSD

DPI (dots per inch) or Resolution

DPI, or resolution, refers to the amount of data,

expressed in dots pre inch, at which a given bitmap

image is stored.  If you have a bitmap that is 1 inch

by 1 inch at 75 DPI, there would be 5625 (75x75)

tiny dots in it.  If you have the same sized bitmap,

1x1, at 300 DPI, you have 4 times the amount

(90,000 or 300x300) of dots in the bitmap.

This means that the dots are smaller.  Higher DPI

equals better output, however, there is a major pitfall

to this; too much DPI equals huge files

and slower processing.