Your projects are in professional hands at FASTSIGNS®. Our retail locations have the technical support of our corporate research and development team, which works closely with manufacturers to test and improve full color technology. Our consultants are trained to assess your needs, make recommendations and ensure that your graphics meet every expectation - satisfaction guaranteed. At FASTSIGNS®, we apply our design, production, and installation expertise to integrate your full color graphics into a completed sign that's ideal for your purpose.
We can:
- Apply durable, fade-resistant graphics directly to a window, vehicle or other smooth surface.
- Mount graphics on a wide range of signage surfaces including acrylic, expanded PVC, polystyrene, MDO (wood), aluminum, magnetics, foam board and banner material.
- Laminate graphics to protect them from damage and provide rigidity, as well as enhance them with a gloss, matte, or specialty overlay finish.
- From CONCEPT TO COMPLETION®, FASTSIGNS® takes care of your full color digital graphics projects the same way we do all your signage needs - with an absolute dedication to excellence.
Full Color Digital Graphics Printing Technologies
We'll Determine The Best Technology For Your Project
There are many technologies available for producing full color digital graphics, each with their own unique advantages. Your FASTSIGNS® consultant will consider the specifics of your project and select the technical option that's right for you. Here are some basic guidelines on the various printing technologies:
Inkjet
Very high resolution, best for large sizes and small quantities. We use standard-dye inks, suited for several months of indoor use or special pigmented inks that can last up to two years outdoors.
Thermal Transfer
High resolution, best for small sizes and small quantities. A good choice when the design uses more spot color than full color. Lasts up to five years outdoors without protective lamination.
Electrostatic (E-Stat)
High resolution, best for large sizes and medium to large quantities. A good choice for long-term outdoor use.
Photographic
Highest resolution, best for large sizes and small quantities. The only process which achieves continuous-tone color, as opposed to the halftone-dot method used in digital-based printing. Resists fading for about one year.
Color Models
One of the greatest challenges of full color digital printing is ensuring that the colors printed are the colors you expect. Your FASTSIGNS® staff will take the necessary steps to ensure that your colors are produced as faithfully as possible within the limits of our technologies. But a big part of creating color involves simply understanding how different devices (scanners, monitors and printers) display color.
Full Color Digital Graphics Key Terms
We'll Give You The Facts on Full Color
Full color adds a new dimension to your graphics and involves some new considerations. Below are a few key terms you'll want to know, plus some examples of how variations in resolution affect the appearance of a graphic.
Full Color
The reproduction of any color image by applying certain ink colors in varying proportions. Originals can be either RGB or CMYK files.
Spot Color
The addition of one or more colors to a graphic by applying inks of those specific colors. Spot color cannot reproduce full color images.
DPI
An abbreviation for "dots per inch", a measure of the density of ink dots used to reproduce the image. The more dots in the image, the higher the image clarity and the better the ability to enlarge that image. More important than the DPI is the total number of dots in a file. For large-format printing, a good rule of thumb is to plan for 100 to 150 dpi at the final printed size. For example, if you wish to have an image printed 24" x 36", then your computer file should have a minimum of 2,400 dots (24" x 100 dpi) by 3,600 dots (36" x 100 dpi), for a total of 8,640,000 dots. At an average of 3 bytes of storage per dot, that's about a 24mb file. Anything less simply won't have the quality you expect.
Viewing Distance
Determines the DPI required. If your graphic will be viewed at close range, you will need a higher DPI. If it will be seen from a distance, a lower DPI image may give you all the resolution you need, saving time and money. For large applications, like vehicles, you can often come down from the 100 to 150 dpi ideal without sacrificing quality.
Full Color Digital Graphics File Formats
We'll Help You Prepare Your Full Color Digital Graphics Files
The equipment used to produce full color digital graphics is different from that used in standard service-bureau output, so your files should be formatted specifically for large-format, full color techniques.
Contact your FASTSIGNS® consultant before creating your documents to ensure that you are taking the most direct route to the desired finished product.
Too late for that? Don't worry. FASTSIGNS® has detailed guidelines for file conversion and your consultant will help you determine how to prepare your files for output as full color graphics. We can accept originals in a variety of media.*
FASTSIGNS® also offers professional scanning and design services. We can build your custom graphic from your artwork and photos or help you select just the right image from stock photography.
Let the sign experts at FASTSIGNS® put full color digital graphics to work for you today.
* File conversion technologies vary by store. |