If you need to make a bold impression with large-scale printing, whether for a promotional event backdrop or a sleek display for an office space, it’s important that your printed graphic looks true-to-life. When you enlarge a photo or other graphics to larger sizes, the resulting prints can end up looking blurry and pixelated. To avoid this, follow these tips for preparing files to print on large format printers.
Large format printing is the use of specialized print equipment to produce projects such as banners, posters, store displays and trade show wall panels. The size of these prints can range from a few inches to over 20 feet in length. Large-scale printing allows businesses to make an impact in high-traffic areas and draw attention to their products, services and events.
Unlike smaller print jobs, which typically require 300 dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi), large-format prints need to be at least 600 dpi. This is because of the viewing distance required for these types of prints. The higher the resolution of an image, the better it will look when enlarged to large sizes.
To ensure your images will print at a high-quality resolution, you should only send the highest quality images possible. Also, be sure to let your printing company know the intended use for your prints so they can recommend a suitable resolution.
When choosing your file type, vector images are best for large-scale printing. These types of files are created using mathematical equations, which create shapes and lines that can be scaled without losing clarity or resolution. Raster-based (bitmap) image formats like JPG, TIF and PNG may also work for large-scale printing, but they can sometimes cause pixelation, especially in overlapping areas of text or logos.
If you choose to add text or other information to your large-scale print project, it’s essential that the font you select is easy to read from afar. You should test the size of the font on a piece of paper to ensure that it is readable and doesn’t overwhelm the print. In addition, the font should be in a contrasting color so it stands out from the background.
Printing an eye-catching promotional backdrop for any event can enhance its visibility and increase brand recognition. One of the most popular and effective tools for attracting audience attention is the step and repeat banner, which features an image or pattern of logos and graphics repeated to form an attractive and engaging backdrop for photos. This type of backdrop is often seen at celebrity events, corporate gatherings and other special occasions. It helps the event host appear more professional and prestigious, and it can encourage attendees to share their photos online, further extending the reach of an event.