How Big of a File Do I Need to Print a Banner?
Your online store’s success is primarily reliant on the quality of your items, and the quality of your products is reliant on the print files you generate. The higher the quality of your print files and designs, the higher the quality of your items overall.
Putting in the effort reduces the likelihood of your order being delayed owing to your design failing to satisfy specifications. Remember that it’s not just about the order: at the other end of every delayed order is a client who is likely to grow irritated by having to wait for the thing they’re looking forward to.
Terminology for print files
Let’s get started by laying the groundwork and defining basic terms. It will help you understand the remainder of this blog’s print file standards.
The print size is the actual size of the picture as it will appear on the product. It is expressed in inches or millimetres.
A pixel is a measuring unit for digital pictures shown on a screen.
Pixel dimensions are the total number of pixels along the width (vertical) and height (horizontal) of a digital picture (horizontal).
The density of pixels or dots in a picture is expressed by resolution. PPI—pixels per inch—is the unit of measurement for digital picture resolution. The resolution of printed pictures is measured in DPI (dots per inch).
DPI (dots per inch) is a word used in printing. Pixels are used to show pictures on digital devices, whereas dots are used to print images on printers. DPI is computed using the pixel measurements and size of your digital picture.
The greater the DPI, the more dots there are, and the sharper the print.
The lower the DPI, the fewer the dots and, thus, the blurrier the print.
Consider the three penguins below to help you visualise the relationship between dimensions and resolution. The photos have the same dimensions (width and height), but their resolutions vary (DPI).
DPI has an impact
Unless you like a lo-fi aesthetic, you’ll agree that the best-looking penguin is the 150 DPI one on the far right. This is also the penguin that will print the best.
Then there are the make-or-break rules.
PDF and PNG are the two file types that are allowed (JPG accepted, but not recommended: design elements in images of this format always have a background which can make the design look bad, and JPG also unnecessarily increases the embroidery stitch count, making it easy to go beyond the limit).
The maximum size of the print area varies depending on the product (for example, the normal print area for t-shirts is 12′′ 16′′, but for 11 oz. mugs—9′′ 3.5′′).
Print file resolution (DPI): this varies depending on the product, but it should be at least 150 DPI and no more than 300 DPI—going over 300 DPI will not enhance print quality, but will just increase file size.
Print files for smaller goods, such as mugs or customised phone covers, need a DPI greater than 150 due to the tiny and frequently intricate nature of the prints. We suggest submitting designs with a DPI of 300 for these goods.
Colour scheme:
Your final print file should be stored in the sRGB colour profile sRGB IEC61966-2.1. In the picture editing programme you’re using, you may change the colour profile.
Why sRGB rather than CMYK?
When opposed to CMYK, sRGB offers a larger, more brighter colour spectrum (aka gamut).
Our DTG printers use an improved CMYK colour space with additional ink colours, enabling us to print colours that would ordinarily fall outside of the CMYK colour spectrum. The sRGB IEC61966-2.1 colour space is the closest to our updated CMYK, which is why we suggest it for print files.
Acceptable Print
Printed materials that are too large for most ordinary commercial printing presses are referred to by this phrase. Large format printing, often known as “wide format printing,” employs specialised manufacturing equipment capable of handling larger-than-normal print dimensions.
What exactly is big format printing, and how does it vary from wide format printing?
Although the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, wide-format and large-format printing are not synonymous.
Wide format printing, on the other hand, is a subset of big format printing. Consider this: “large format printing” refers to prints that are larger than what a typical commercial printer can handle, but “wide format printing” generally refers to a particular print size.
What is the purpose of big format printing?
As previously said, even if you are unfamiliar with industry phrases such as “large format printing,” you most likely see it used on a daily basis.
Here are a few examples of how big format printing might benefit your business:
1. Displays at points of sale
Your firm is preparing to release a consumer product. It’s the result of months and months of hard labour, but once it hits the shelves, it’ll be just one of many vying for the attention of busy buyers.
With the aid of big format printing, you can promote your goods with an eye-catching point-of-purchase display that will catch the attention of even the busiest consumers.
2. Trade fairs
A good trade show is a crowded trade fair, where your firm may show off its newest developments and network with others in your industry.
However, the crowded environment might be a double-edged sword. With dozens, if not hundreds, of different companies displaying their wares, it might be tough to stand out.
Again, big size printing might be useful in this situation. Signs, posters, banners, and wall graphics are all examples of big format goods that may help you keep your brand in the spotlight and stand out amid a crowd of other booths.
3. Internal communication
Large format materials may also assist your organisation with internal initiatives, such as a banner to welcome a new boss or a billboard to remind staff of a new effort.
Blue Sky Graphics is the place to go whether you need a pop-up display, retractable banner, or unique interior design project. We provide online graphic design course that will help you become a graphic designer from home.
