Sign Design Basics: Why we ask for high resolution files
January 31, 2011
Plain and simple, we want your sign to look great.
There are two types of files that we may ask for to get your sign looking its best: a vector file or a high-resolution file. Sparing you all the techno mumbo-jumbo, vector files allow us to enlarge an image indefinitely and are most useful for logos, text and simple illustrations. High-resolution files, aka raster files or bitmaps, are best for photos and get pixellated (or blocky… or fuzzy… or gross) when enlarged.
If your sign contains your logo, we’ll need the original logo file from the company that designed your logo. Usually a vectorized .pdf or .eps file is provided as part of a logo design contract.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can’t you just use the logo from my website for my banner?
No. Let’s say you want a relatively small banner measuring 4′W x 2′H. Taking our logo that you see at the top of the page, here is what happens to it.
AmeriStamp Sign-A-Rama Logo measures about 6 inches wide
AmeriStamp Sign-A-Rama Logo 48 inches wide - Click on it to bask in its nasty pixellated glory
Another company designed my logo and they won’t give it to me. What do I do?
Insist. If you paid them to design, create or even manipulate your logo, that logo belongs to you. If they still refuse, put them on the list of companies you will never do business with. It just isn’t worth it. Another fun thing to do is have your lawyer send them a registered letter on the lawyer’s letterhead stating how displeased you are with their service and ask them to destroy any copies of the logo they have in their possession. You may need to have another company redesign your logo, but make sure you know what their policy is at the very beginning. What is our policy? The logo is yours. If you’ve hired us to create your logo, as part of the logo creation fee, we’ll provide that logo to you in a variety of formats that can be used in a variety of media.
I know this is a low-res file, but it’s all I have. Can you make it work?
There are some options open to us. Our design team is pretty spectacular at making signs look great. Sometimes to get there we need to redesign, reconfigure or completely remake an image. Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through every step of the way. Do you have a project coming up and want to make sure your artwork is adequate? Give us a shout.
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