ARTWORK
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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The
quality of your graphics are based entirely on the
quality of your artwork. While every project will very
in media type, resolution requirements, and file structure,
these basic guidelines will help eliminate any artwork
format discrepancies. |
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ACCEPTABLE
TYPES OF STORAGE MEDIA FOR FILE SUBMISSION |
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• 100mb
Zip Disc
• CD-ROM |
• CD-RW
• DVD-R |
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DESIGN
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
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• Adobe
Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign |
• Adobe
Acrobat (PDF)
• Macromedia Freehand
• Graphics Advantage 4 |
• Macromedia
Fireworks
• CorelDraw (when saved as a generic EPS)
• AutoCad (DXF & DWG format only |
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| NOTE: Quark
Express is not intended for use in the vinyl graphics
industry. Additional art fees will be necessary to
convert these files to a usable format. Only files
built in Quark 4.0 or older can be converted. Newer
versions can not be accepted. |
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• Attach
your contact information, such as company name, phone
number and e-mail address to any artwork being submitted. A
business card is acceptable.
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Include a complete proof for your project that includes file
names, sizes, and colors for the graphics being produced. Any
specific installation instructions need to be included as well.
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Be sure to include all pertinent fonts, linked files, and images needed to
complete the project. |
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| Transport Graphics requires that all digital files
have fonts converted to paths or outlines. If this is
not possible, we have a vast library of fonts and we
will attempt to find an adequate substitute for missing
fonts but an exact match cannot be guaranteed. |
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| The mobile
advertising industry is unique in the fact that the artwork
we produce is larger than any other industry.
In order to build these files, Transport Graphics uses
specific “scales”, which allow us to build
the artwork at a percentage of the actual size. For example,
the maximum working area in Adobe Illustrator is just over
227” and a 53 ft. trailer is 636” long. Obviously,
the artwork cannot be built at actual size. For projects
like this, we use one of the following scales: |
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SCALE |
PERCENTAGE |
CONVERSION |
EXAMPLE |
MIN.
IMAGE RESOLUTION** |
1:1
SCALE |
actual
size |
1" = 1" |
636.00" = 636.00" |
72
ppi |
1:2 SCALE |
files
built at 50% |
1"
= 2" |
318.00"
= 636.00" at actual size |
144
ppi |
1:10 SCALE* |
files
built at 10% |
1"
= 10" |
63.60"
= 636.00" at actual size |
720
ppi |
* PREFERRED SCALE
** SEE “RASTER-BASED ARTWORK” FOR MORE INFORMATION |
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A vector-based graphic is a graphic that
uses anchor points and paths to form shapes as opposed
to pixels. The advantage of a vector-based graphic is that
it can be scaled indefinitely without any loss of quality.
Programs that use a vector format include Adobe Illustrator,
Macromedia Freehand and CorelDraw.
This file type would be used in the production of
signs, banners, or vehicle graphics that are
to be cut from solid pieces of material. In some
instances,
a vector file can be used for digital printing (such as multi-colored
decals, complex designs, or large quantities).
When using a vector-based program, files should be built at actual production
size or one of the approved scales listed above. Be sure to note the
scale of your files on any provided prints as well as in the file itself.
If your file includes placed images, the image must accompany the parent
file on your disk.
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Images built at the correct resolution will be sharp.
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A raster-based file is an image
or photograph using pixels to determine color. Programs
such as Adobe photoshop and Macromedia Fireworks are raster
applications.
The most important part of your design is making
sure the images are BUILT at
the proper size. Before you begin your design, remember that every image
has two sizes. The first is the mathematical
size and the second is the resolution.
While directly related, they are very different aspects of the same image.
PROPER RESOLUTION
Image resolution is the number of pixels per square inch in a given image.
Pixels are the tiny dots that determine the color and sharpness of the image.
The more
pixels, the clearer the image will appear, not enough pixels, the image will
look blurry.
Ideally, we use an image resolution of 72 pixels per inch (PPI) at the actual
production size for digital printing. Images that are lower than 72 ppi tend
to be below our quality standards.
The part that can make this confusing is when you start changing the mathematical
size and how the changes effect the resolution.
Lets
say that your "original" image is 1" by
1" at 100 ppi.
This means that this image has 100 pixels in it's 1 square inch area. If
you change the mathematical size to 10" by 10",
you now have a 100 square inch area. Since the "original" only
had 100 pixels, those pixels now have to stretch to
cover 10 times the area and the only way this can happen
is
if they "fuzz", creating the blurry looking image. The higher
the resolution of the ORIGINAL image determines how clear the image will
be when
the mathematical
size is increased.
For correct image resolution in scaled files, please review the “Approved
Scales” section.
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Resampling images that are too small will make them blurry. |
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These
are the methods you can use to get your digital
files to us:
SALES
Give any necessary discs and prints to your sales person
E-MAIL
You can e-mail your files to us (as long as the entire e-mail does not exceed
8mb). Please contact your sales person for the correct e-mail address for your
project.
FTP
In some instances, you can FTP your file to our server. Specific applications
supporting the File Transfer Protocol are necessary to complete this method.
Please contact your sales person for any additional information.
SHIPPING
When shipping CD's, please be sure to use a padded envelope and soft cases. CD
jewel cases tend to break during shipping and can damage your disc, making it
unreadable. Ship all artwork to your salespersons attention.
Transport Graphics, Inc.
1401 E. Trafficway
Springfield, MO 65802
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You
may download a PDF version of this file by right clicking
on the icon. (2.5 MB) |
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