Artwork Requirements

If you would like to request that a graphic on your sign match existing artwork that is used elsewhere for your organization, please note the following requirements. We cannot guarantee an exact match between the final sign graphic and the original unless a PC-based source file is provided. There are additional considerations for font and color requests.

When Source Files are Available

Source files are original artwork files created using graphics software such as CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop. If you have a symbol or logo for your organization, you most likely have the source file available from whomever handles your graphic design and/or printing. Source files must be saved with the original program's file extension:

  • CorelDraw - File extension is .cdr
  • Illustrator - File extension is .ai
  • Photoshop - File extension is .psd

Please do not simply rename another type of file. Changing the file extension only corrupts the file, such as with changing graphic.doc to graphic.cdr. Common but unacceptable file formats are Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx), Microsoft Publisher (.pub) or other Office-based programs.

If the submitted file does not meet the above requirements, we may need to adjust or recreate the artwork. This may be performed at additional cost and will result in a graphic that is not an exact duplicate of the original.

When Source Files are Not Available

Use the following file extension and rules to increase the probability of the final graphic being a close representation of the original:

  • File extensions: .jpg, .png, .pdf or .eps
  • Size: The same dimensional size or larger than the graphic will be on your sign
  • Resolution: 150 dpi or greater

Please note: the file provided must be full scale. For example, if the graphic on the sign will be 18" x 93", then the graphic file you provide must be 18" x 93" at 150 dpi or greater. Using a 2" x 3" file and enlarging it to 18" x 93" is not acceptable, and most images obtained from the Internet fall into this category. Please ask your sign consultant for your specific graphic dimensions.

Color Modes

The color mode of any source file submitted should follow these rules:

  • RGB color format is required.
  • CMYK color format is not acceptable.
  • Although a close representation may be achievable, matching Pantone colors to the CYMK printing process is not possible.

Fonts

Fonts are collections of letters with certain shapes. We maintain a library of thousands of fonts to use on our sign faces. If a specific font is requested that we do not have, one of the following options is required:

  • Email the font(s) as an attachment to your sign consultant. Acceptable font files have extensions of .ttf or .otf.
  • If submitting a source file, convert all fonts to curves or paths before submitting.

If one of these options is not provided, a substitute font may be required. This substitute may not exactly match the requested font.