Many times we will have customers call us up and say “I need a sign made, and I have the graphic that it needs to be made with. Can I send it to you and you can print it for me”, This sounds simple enough on the surface. But when you look at the different types of file formats, they all have different properties.
[caption id="attachment_545" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="As you can see, with a vector image, when the cut out area is enlarged, it stays clear and true to form. The raster version will start to show the pixels when enlarged too far."]
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There are two basic types of graphics files: raster and vector. Raster-based files are made of thousands of little dots, or pixels, and when you try to increase the size of the image to make it for a bigger sign, it typically gets significantly grainy, or pixelated. Popular raster file types are .jpg, .gif, .tiff. It is impossible to increase the size of these images in order to make the image larger on a sign or banner without having an undesirable effect on the image.
With vector files, instead of pixels, they use vector points and connect each vector point with either curved or straight lines to make the design. You can expand the file as large as you want, without distorting the design. So, when you think about it, if you took an 8.5" x 11" graphic file that you want to apply to a vehicle, or a large surface, that image would need to be stretched to upwards of 20'. With a raster-based file, this would be impossible; however, with vector files, this is possible with ease. Common vector files include Adobe illustrator (AI), Flexisign files (FS) or Encapsulated Post Script (EPS).
Your local sign company can help you out with these file format issues. One thing to consider if you have a logo or a design that you will be using over and over again is to get the file vectorized. That way in the future, you can use then in whatever way you want.
[caption id="attachment_551" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="It was crucial that the files we used to wrap this bus were in a vector format so that the images of the people on the side did not get distorted."]
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There are two basic types of graphics files: raster and vector. Raster-based files are made of thousands of little dots, or pixels, and when you try to increase the size of the image to make it for a bigger sign, it typically gets significantly grainy, or pixelated. Popular raster file types are .jpg, .gif, .tiff. It is impossible to increase the size of these images in order to make the image larger on a sign or banner without having an undesirable effect on the image.
With vector files, instead of pixels, they use vector points and connect each vector point with either curved or straight lines to make the design. You can expand the file as large as you want, without distorting the design. So, when you think about it, if you took an 8.5" x 11" graphic file that you want to apply to a vehicle, or a large surface, that image would need to be stretched to upwards of 20'. With a raster-based file, this would be impossible; however, with vector files, this is possible with ease. Common vector files include Adobe illustrator (AI), Flexisign files (FS) or Encapsulated Post Script (EPS).
Your local sign company can help you out with these file format issues. One thing to consider if you have a logo or a design that you will be using over and over again is to get the file vectorized. That way in the future, you can use then in whatever way you want.
[caption id="attachment_551" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="It was crucial that the files we used to wrap this bus were in a vector format so that the images of the people on the side did not get distorted."]
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