What type of file do I need (or, can you just scan my business card and take photos from my website)? - Miami, FL

• The short answer is any vector file or 300 dpi (dots per inch) images.

In order to more accurately answer the questions though, we have to give you more information. What design programs do we use? What is meant by vector file? What does 300 dpi mean? If we are doing the design, do you even have to give us anything? Even if we do the design for you, it is a very rare occasion where you will not give us something. That something usually is your logo. We cannot simply scan your business card or grab it from your website. The image would be too small, and the quality too poor once we enlarge your logo to the scale required for a sign. We would need your logo as a vector file. What is a vector file? A vector file stores lines, shapes, and colors that make up an image as mathematical formulas. That means an image can be scaled up or down without image degradation. Examples of a vector file are AI files. AI stands for Adobe Illustrator. If you or your graphic designer cannot provide an AI file, "export" or "save as" your vector file into an EPS (encapsulated postscript) file. What is a 300 dpi (dots per inch) image? It is approximately a 2 Mega Byte Image. If you purchase your images from iStockphoto or Getty Images or similar sites, the image size is listed in both pixels and inches. Click on the ‘inches" to see what dpi it is before purchasing the image. If you are hiring a photographer let them know your requirements. If you are taking the photos yourself talk to us first-a 300 dpi image will always work, but it may not be required for what you need. What design programs do you work with? Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Corel Draw, and Flexi.