If you have a large format printer and feel like your projects and practices have gotten into a rut, don’t despair. We’ve collected nine large format printing tips all the experts know that’ll improve performance and produce better images. Apply these the next time you use your printer and even before and after you use it. You’ll notice a rise in quality and may even feel inspired to come up with your own alterations, additions, and improvements.
Pick the Proper Printer
This should be a given, shouldn’t it? Before you invest the money, make sure you’re buying the right printer for your purposes. What sort of projects are you planning to produce? What sort of film do you need, and how large do printouts need to be? How detailed do prints need to be, what ink or toner will it require, and how fast do you need to turn around jobs? Talk to your clientele to get an idea about what their needs currently are and what they’ll be in the future. Crunch the numbers for upkeep, equipment, and supplies as well.
Measure Twice, Print Once
Think about where your prints will end up and accommodate the size and placement of the area. Get out your tape measure and record every possible dimension of the space, whether it’s a wall, floor, ceiling, room, window, or wherever. Note the lighting, whether natural or artificial, as well. This will inspire better designs and aid in choosing the dimensions, colors, and detail needed to adequately communicate messaging and legible images to the viewer. Going big might be better for some places than others, but smaller printouts can also draw the eye in the proper context. One good rule of thumb is to ensure your images and signs are slightly bigger than the ones already on-site. That goes for directional, informational, and similar signage.
Use the Correct Colors
Ask the supplier to provide samples for each of their printers on different types of paper. This will give you a better idea of what to expect from a specific machine. Getting your brand’s colors perfect is vital, of course. But you also need to see how different colors print together and play off one another. With this knowledge, you can preplan prints and ensure corrections and reprints aren’t necessary. In general, you should simplify your designs. Your printer may be able to turn out a thousand different tones and hues. However, avoid potentially muddled colors by sticking to a few eye-catching complementary ones. This will make your printout pop more.
Stand Back!
No matter how great your design looks on the screen, the proof is in the pudding; you need to print it out. Before you reach that point, stand back and away from your computer screen and see what the image looks like from a distance—10 to 20 feet if possible. Does it work, or do things look wonky from certain angles? Do a test print at a lower level of resolution but at the same proportions, and tack up the image to the wall. Take a step back once more and review, looking for any quibbling issues to fix before the final print and when you set it up in the designated place. Bring in others to look at and assess the design. They might not always offer the best advice, but they’ll probably notice something you overlooked, saving you time and money.
Ensure Digital Quality
When you get ready to print, ensure your image is a high-resolution PDF or EPS so that you get a crisp and clear final print. Naturally, be sure all the fonts and images are loaded up and embedded. As a rule of thumb, guarantee proper image resolution by ensuring the dots per inch (dpi) follow these suggested distances. If the viewing distance is 4 feet or less, print at 100 dpi. At 4 to 12 feet, 72 dpi is sufficient. And more than 12 feet, you just need 36 dpi.
Keep It Simple, Not Stupid
No matter how big you go, keep things neat, orderly, and easy to perceive. Fancy fonts may seem impressive, but if people can’t read them from the intended distance, they’re useless. Backgrounds should help font colors stand out, so keep them light. A dark background can make lighter fonts break out and catch the eye, but be sure they don’t get lost in the murk from a distance.
Consider Outdoor-Element Resistance
You may plan to post a print outside, in bright sunlight, or some other place where the elements, humidity, or other factors might interfere. If so, make sure you’re using the best paper and ink for the job. Solvent inks, pigment inks, UV-curable inks, and latex inks are all ideal for outdoor banners. They’re water resistant, and UV-curable inks do exactly what they promise. They become more durable the more exposure to sunlight they get, resisting scratches, water, and fading. Eco-solvent and UV-curable inks are better for the environment, which is another important consideration for outdoor imagery.
Pick a Paper (or Film, Vinyl, etc.)
Can you tell the difference or the best uses for, say, 24 lb paper versus vinyl? Art and photography look best on fine art or photo paper. Polypropylene paper is great for banners, posters, and the like. Mylar is perfect for engineering plans and drawings, while canvas is excellent for murals. Look into your choices or ask your supplier for samples and examples of what you can do with various types of media. This will help you make the right selection for the job.
Consider Camera Image Quality
That picture you snapped on your smart phone may look good on Instagram or your phone’s screen, but the quality of the image drops the larger it gets. But all isn’t lost. While its better to take photos for your projects with a high-quality digital camera, you can adjust your smartphone’s settings to create detailed images at a higher resolution for later printing. But keep this in mind before commencing a design with a so-so image.
Those are just nine large format printing tips all the experts know. Do you have any questions about large-format printers and printing? We’re your best source. Contact us for a consultation today!
