Expert: Amy - 11/16/2005

Question
Hi. I'm new to illustrator and I've been designing web-based graphics for quite some time. However, now my boss wants me to design a 30ft(w) x 16ft(h) backdrop... something I find to be very different than web-based graphics (where as long as it looks good on screen).

My first attempt was a failure as when my printer saw my artwork, he said that everything looked jagged and was not scaled properly. I'm using a pc and illustrator v8. Usually I would be given a jpeg file to work on, where I main task is to scale it to look proportionate to the backdrop.

Is it necessary for me to start the canvas size according to the exact backdrop size? Could you please guide me the right way to design large-scale graphic work? What are the key things that I have to bear in mind? Oh Amy, as you can see from my questions, I'm really really lost! I appreciate any help. Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi there, Lydia.

Sounds like a job and a half.

Let's see...

No, you don't have to set the Artboard size to 30 ft x 16 ft.  Max size is 227" wide, actually, in version 9 (my version).

You should make it proportional, though, so that when you print, you can specify printout at 200%, 300%, etc. Maybe try 180" x 96" (that's 50%).

CMYK or RGB.
Ask your printer if you don't know which mode to use but most print shops want you to use CMYK for traditional press jobs. This might be a different case because these large banner digital printers might be able to handle an RGB document just fine. Whatever they tell you, you can set your Document Color Mode under File > Document Color Mode.

Fonts.
Should make the trip well. You are probably going to save this as a PDF and embed the fonts for the printer.  But if the fonts don't come across correctly, try selecting all the text and converting the fonts to outlines (Ctrl + Shift + O).

Images.  
Here's the part where you might have trouble.   

Color Mode of Images
Your images should match the color mode that your printer recommended (CMYK or RGB).

Resolution for Images...
You will want crisp clear images when this is printed at 200%, so you have to plan your image resolution accordingly. I did a little reading on the subject and they say that 150 dpi on the final print out should be sufficient for photographic images.  That means YOUR resolution must be twice that since you're going to have this printed at 200%.  So 300dpi will be your image resolution.

If you have images that are not photographic... let's say a small cartoon of a dog or something, you either have to re-create that cartoon in Illustrator (re-draw it with Illustrator tools) or make sure you can get it in a resolution that's really high. 500-600dpi, I'd suggest.

File format for images...
Traditionally, printers hate JPEGs. But if this is printing on a digital printer, JPEGS might be the best way to go.  Again, ask. If they can't give you a straight answer, the best format to pick is EPS.

Vector graphics
All the other elements in your banner will be created in Illustrator and well be vector artwork. Vector artwork is ideal for this because it scales without losing resolution. Just make sure that the color mode of these graphics matches the Document Color Mode.

Gradient backgrounds (if used)
Create gradient fills in Illustrator and expect that they won't look the same when you print them - they are so hardware-dependent.

I can't think of anything else to tell you right now but I'd be happy to coach you along if you have specific questions.  Just write me at AmyLynPace@yahoo.com

It snowed here (Madison, WI) yesterday and I don't feel like going out!

Anyway!
Good luck.
Amy Pace