•  What is the sign's overall purpose?

•  What specific message do you want to communicate?

•  What is the viewing distance?

•  What is the viewing time? (Is the target audience lingering nearby or are they driving by at high speeds?)

•  Is the banner or sign intended to be temporary or permanent?

•  Is the banner or sign to be used indoors or outdoors?

•  Where and how does the banner or sign need to be mounted?

•  Does the sign need to travel?

•  When do you need the banner or sign?

The sign should be sized appropriately for the viewing distance. Generally you will need an inch of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance. The sign should also be placed in a location with maximum exposure to the target audience.

Readability

The sign should be organized in a manner that readily conveys its intended message. Key words and phrases should be emphasized with larger letters, bolder typestyles and additional colors. Ideas should be grouped logically and separated by layout and spacing. Graphic elements, especially digital color graphics, can greatly enhance the speed and thoroughness of communications.

Noticeability

The sign should incorporate some design elements that will help it stand out conspicuously in the landscape. Color contrast, changeable components, motion, uniqueness or design and/or subconscious attraction can serve to make a sign more noticeable.

Legibility

Typestyle selection is critical to the effectiveness of a banner or sign. The typestyle should convey the desired image with readability. Many script and specialty typestyles are difficult to read, especially over great viewing distances.

Color & Contrast

A high color factor will improve legibility. Weak color contrasts can be strengthened with an outline or drop shadow.

Preparing Full Color Artwork

To insure your job is processed in the most efficient manner, Banners To Go provides the following guidelines for preparing artwork for printing on vinyl banners. If a problem does exist on your disk, you will be notified to send new files. Corrections or alterations can be completed although this is a billable service. Art can be accepted via the following media: 3.5" Floppy Disk, CD-Rom, Zip Disk, or email us the file if it is under 1 Meg. Please include a full color proof of your banner with your order. A low resolution and full color JPEG is also acceptable. Paper proofs or e-mailed proofs are available upon request.

File Output

•  All vector files should be saved in EPS format (Standard EPS or Adobe Illustrator) and should be fully editable as they will be subject to being either scaled or rotated.

•  Continuous tone images (such as photographs) should have a bitmap resolution (pixels-per-inch) of no less than 75-150 dots per inch at actual imprint size.

•  Artwork does not have to be full size but should be scaled to size relative to final output. Example: Make the art 2" x 6" for a 2' x 6' Banner.

•  All fonts should be converted to curves prior to sending.

•  Special effects such as drop shadows with soft or Gaussian blurs may produce undesirable results.

•  Leave a margin of no less than 2.5" around all sides of the banner for seams and grommets.

•  Bleed should be no less than half an inch and no greater than two inches.

•  Crop marks should be indicated on artwork.

Color Considerations

•  Vinyl banners are printed in four color (CMYK) process ink. Exact PMS matches are not possible but may be used for a general guideline for color matching.

•  Bright Reds should be filled in the following CMYK color formula - 0% Cyan, 100% Magenta, 100% Yellow and 10% Black.

•  Areas for dark black (such as backgrounds or large lettering) should be filled with 50% Cyan, 50% Magenta, 50% Yellow and 100% Black or Ultra Black.