We are committed to partnering with you to provide comprehensive and effective graphic solutions for your event. The graphics print and production industry continuously evolves, and we want your graphics and images to look their absolute best. To ensure the highest quality output from your digital files, and to make file transfers as seamless as possible, please review and follow these guidelines when submitting artwork to GES. We also offer layout and design services for a fee. Please contact GES for details.
Suitable Programs for images or logos
Program
Adobe Illustrator CS6, CC
Adobe Photoshop CS6, CC
Adobe InDesign CS6, CC
Adobe Acrobat
Preferred Format
.ai, .eps
.tif (LZW), .jpg (High Quality), .psd
.indd (include all links)
.pdf (Press Quality Setting)
Preferred transfer methods
Email Attachments
FTP
Limited to maximum size of 5MB
Mandatory ZIP or SIT compression
Avoiding Additional Costs
Files obtained from the internet (JPG, GIF, PNG) or artwork created in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) are often not suitable for high quality output, and require additional hourly charges. Artwork should be created at actual size, however for larger files, such as banner artwork,
files can be scaled down to accommodate the limits of the software. Scans should be no smaller than 300dpi at quarter size. To avoid additional costs
associated with these file types, please supply files as defined herein.
Vector Artwork
For the best quality, create graphics in vector format (AI, EPS). Logos taken from websites are generally GIF files, and those are not acceptable as they will not print clearly. See visual.
Artwork produced in vinyl, such as solid company logos or text, must be supplied in a vector format (AI or vector EPS). Artwork created in a pixel format (TIF, JPG) is not suitable because the vinyl plotter cannot interpret raster images. See visual.
Bitmap/Raster Artwork
TIF and PSD - These are the preferred file formats for raster images. Files should be supplied at 100dpi at full size, or they should scale to those dimensions. If the resolution is lower than 100dpi, images can look blurry or pixelated when printed. If there is a lot of small text in the raster image, the file can be provided at higher resolutions to ensure print quality. See Visual.
JPEG - We can use JPEG files, but because JPEGs use file compression this can sometimes affect image quality. Therefore, this file type should only be used if the files are high resolution.
PDF - These are print files only and cannot be altered to fit different sizes, artwork must be set up at the correct proportion and at print-ready quality. Ensure images are saved at high resolution (100dpi at final size).
Fonts
Outline all fonts before sending the files. If you are using a program where this is not an option, include all fonts with your files. Open Type Fonts (OTF) are preferred.
File Upload You can upload your file(s) after sending in your order using the information below.
Please make sure your file(s) are labeled with the exhibiting company's name and the show name (e.g. EGGWHITES_COOKING SHOW.zip)
Log In to upload your file(s) now.
Refer to the Digital File Preparation information for graphic instructions.
Front and Backlit Graphics
When producing artwork for front lit graphics or transparencies keep
these points in mind:
Avoid setting type in Photoshop — instead use a vector-based program (such as Adobe Illustrator) for your type. If you do use vector smart objects, save the file as an.eps or .psd to retain vector properties.
If you plan to add effects to your type (such as drop shadows or glows), follow these steps:
Import the Illustrator type into Photoshop
Add effects to the type
Separate the effects onto a layer
Delete the type layer
Assemble the type and photo in a vector program.
Always provide logos in a vector format.
If you have critical PMS colors to match, provide us with a layered Photoshop file to allow for color editing.
Always add at least 1” of bleed to your images.
Use gradients carefully and sparingly. Gradients often “band,” and little can be done to correct the problem. Look at your high res file at 100% — if you can see the banding, it WILL appear in the print. Adding 1 pt. of noise to the file may resolve the problem.
File Sizes
Please build Photoshop (raster) graphics to at least 100dpi at final size.
Any combination of size/resolution that produces this result is
acceptable.
(e.g. 1/4 size file @400dpi)
Here is an easy way to determine how much digital information is
needed for your graphic:
Open a new document in Photoshop
Enter the final width and height of your document.
Enter a resolution of 100 dpi
The resulting megabyte size is the approximate amount of digital
information we need for best quality output.
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
Work with .eps files as much as possible. .eps files are a better quality
file
format than .tif files and are accepted more easily by Adobe Illustrator.
Save a Low Res file version of your graphic for proofing and a Hi Res file for
production. Illustrator allows for seamless swapping of LR and HR
files provided the images are the same dimensions.
When saving your HR file, use the settings shown in figure a. This will
compress the information in the file without degrading the quality.
High resolution files saved with this setting present no issues for our
output devices.
figure a.
If you must work with a .tif file because you are colorizing it in
illustrator, save the HR file with the LZW compression option.
Keep all color-critical elements of your design vector whenever
possible. Don’t send the layered Photoshop unless you need critical
color
corrections. If you want to add a Photoshop effect to a logo or color
critical text: set the text in illustrator or keep the logo vector, create the
desired effect in Photoshop, then link the Photoshop file into Illustrator
under the color critical vector art or text.
Photoshop files with text or vector smart objects need to be saved out
as .eps or .psd to retain vector properties.
Placed Images
Provide placed images at 100dpi at 100% of final size as a .tif LZW
compression or .psd embedding images in Illustrator is preferred and need
to be 100dpi at final size.
Fonts
Turn all fonts to outlines or convert to paths before sending the files. If you
are using a program where this is not an option, YOU MUST INCLUDE ALL
FONTS with your files. OTF (open type fonts) are preferred.
Vinyl
We can only produce vinyl for type or logos from VECTOR based artwork.
DO NOT send PowerPoint files, .gifs, .jpgs, .pdfs or raster-based images
output to vinyl.
Remember!
You MUST provide PMS colors. We are not responsible for accurate
reproduction of your logo or corporate colors if PMS matches are not
provided.
Please make certain that your scans are clean (free of dust, dirt, and
scratches) BEFORE you send them for production. Deadlines and time
constraints do not allow us to check all your images for quality. We must
assume the images you provide are the highest quality available to you.
To check for quality, look at your Photoshop files at 100% enlargement. If
you can see dirt and scratches, they will appear on your final output. Use
the rubber stamp tool (clone stamp tool) to eliminate these imperfections.