Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 11/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: I need to design a banner of 1.2 meters x 9 meters, it seems that illustrator can only create files of up to about 4 meters. is there a way to change this or how do I go about design something this large? All the elements is vector and I don't want to lose quality by importing them to photoshop.

Thanx

ANSWER: Hi Berna,

You design your file at 1/2 size in Illustrator and have your printer blow it up to full size. Since its vector, it wont degrade. I'd even go so far as to design 1/4 size to save on space.

Thanks

Kevin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do the printing as well, we have a rolandversa camm VP-540i. I usually print files in eps format, so when and how do I blow it up to full size? And what format do I use?

Thanks again

Answer
Hi Berna,

I would appreciate it if you would hold off on rating my answers before you ask follow ups. Rating me lower on clarity, only to ask a follow up that I was not made aware of is really not fair. Had I known that you were the printer and not taking this to a service provider, my answer would have been more in-depth.

Since I am not familiar with your rolandversa printer and what version of Illustrator you are on, I am assuming you will use Illustrator CS4 to print.

You can still use .eps files. When you go to the print window in Illustrator, you should have a button on the right called "Custom Scale" that controls the % size of your print. Change that to 200% for 1/2 size designs or 400% for 1/4 sized designs. It will print out at full size then.

Thanks

Kevin