How to prepare PS LO for sign printing?

[omio]

I'm finishing up a PSCS3 document that will be used for a banner. After reading the instructions on the local FastSign website, I have some questions.

I'm using PSCS3 Extended on a Mac running OS 10.4.11. The shop has requested that I upload the file in full size (60 in wide x 36 in high @ 300 ppi).

The LO includes text and one graphic (a logo that I created in PS). It's in B&W now.

I'm not sure how to handle the following instructions, though:

• "If your file is for vinyl output it needs to contain a Vector image of your sign and/or logo. This means your text and graphics are outlined. Some programs offer an option to Save or Export Text as Vectors, Curves, Paths or Outlines. Vector files are .ai, .pdf or .eps"

• I've checked the help files but still don't know if I can convert to Vector in PS. Of course, it would help if I understood the difference between raster and vector.

• "Convert all fonts to curves or paths to avoid possible font substitution. This rule goes for all types of files."

• If I rasterize the text and flatten the image before saving as a tiff, won't that avoid any font substitution?

• "Recommended color mode for raster files (Adobe Photoshop) is RGB. Recommended color mode for vector files (Adobe Illustrator) is CMYK."

• I don't have Illustrator and have used RGB. Will send the shop the Pantone color we want to use for the B&W image.
  

BTW, the reason I'm doing this is that our group disliked the shop's design. Before DSP, I would probably have never noticed.

[Kathleen]

I believe a smart object is a vector object. Once you have your text set, you can convert it to a smart object, and I agree that should resolve any font substitution issues. Depending on your logo and how you made it, it may or may not be a smart object. But almost any layer in Photoshop can be converted to a smart object. I think the key is converting it at the size it was created at. For example, if you draw a circle that is 2" diameter, convert it to a smart object, rather than resizing it to a 6" circle and then converting it to a smart object.

I would think if you take your final document and save it as a PDF you would be good. I don't think you need to flatten first. I would however view the PDF file outside of PS and make sure it looks as you expect it to.

It sounds like you want the banner in color (a single color?). I'm not sure why you wouldn't do the design in color rather than black & white. But if it is just one color, I would think providing the PMS color to the shop would accomplish color printing.

I would also call the print shop and explain to them the specifics about how you created your document, and what you did to save it.

[omio]

Thanks, Kathleen. ;-}

[debbers]

Originally Posted by omiof5

I'm finishing up a PSCS3 document that will be used for a banner. After reading the instructions on the local FastSign website, I have some questions.

I'm using PSCS3 Extended on a Mac running OS 10.4.11. The shop has requested that I upload the file in full size (60 in wide x 36 in high @ 300 ppi).

The LO includes text and one graphic (a logo that I created in PS). It's in B&W now.

I'm not sure how to handle the following instructions, though:

Whoa! I had to do a huge banner earlier this year and gave up on 300dpi, I handed it to the printer at 100dpi, the file was already too huge. It was a 20 foot sign, tho.

• "If your file is for vinyl output it needs to contain a Vector image of your sign and/or logo. This means your text and graphics are outlined. Some programs offer an option to Save or Export Text as Vectors, Curves, Paths or Outlines. Vector files are .ai, .pdf or .eps"

• I've checked the help files but still don't know if I can convert to Vector in PS. Of course, it would help if I understood the difference between raster and vector.

PS is mostly a RASTER image program, not a vector one. Illustrator does Vector images. If you have Illustrator, you can probably turn it into a vector image of some sort - preserve your layers and do it one by one.

Most full-service shops should be able to either convert to vector for you, or provide you with exact instructions to do so. Some might charge a small fee for this. If they do it well, then it's worth the money to have them do it - but be sure to ask for a proof of the image after they convert it and before they do anything.

There are specific tools that will make a vector for you if your Printer can't/won't.

• "Convert all fonts to curves or paths to avoid possible font substitution. This rule goes for all types of files."

• If I rasterize the text and flatten the image before saving as a tiff, won't that avoid any font substitution?

If you rasterize your text, you will lose the vector. It will avoid font substitution, but it will lose the resize-ability of the vector. I'd check with the printer before I did that. On the other hand, you can just add the path to the document if it's a font you think they don't have, as per their suggestion above.

Remember also to get a CMYK profile from the printer, it'll be the only way to insure you have the right color when/if you do a CMYK output.

Bottom line: Call your printer and talk turkey to them.

deb

[tshirt]

You can make paths in PS then export them as an Illustrator file. The shop can then resize it without getting the "jagged" edges. Easy for each color use select color range then convert the marching ants to a work path (it's in the paths menu or thingy whatever it's called my mind is blank sorry.) I work in a sign shop and the customer supplied artwork is constantly needing to be cleaned up and that can take hours on a complex logo. And text is also a problem. People don't know what font they have used. If you don't have Corel Draw or Illustrator to make your design in vector to begin with then please find a friend with those programs to do it for you. I have seen simple black and white clipart sent to us in a 5 inch jpeg and it looks like crap when blown up to banner size. Most shops won't spend 2 minutes to clean it up either.

[Muma]

This is from Wikipedia

Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygon(s), which are all based upon mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics.

Vector graphics formats are complementary to raster graphics, which is the representation of images as an array of pixels, as it is typically used for the representation of photographic images.

So my understanding is because the way vector images are made up when they are enlarged the image in recalculated using a mathematical formula and produces a very clear image but a raster is recalculated using pixels and as you enlarge the image the pixels become more noticeable to the eye creating a very jagged or grainy image.

Hope I got that right LOL and hope it helps explain the difference.

[debbers]

Yes, that's correct. But most people don't create in vector images.

So, when you know something has a chance of needing to be large, you have a couple decisions to make:

1. Make it the large size to begin with (which is what I normally would do)
2. Make the design simple enough to be converted to vector later and enlarged
3. Create it as a vector image to begin with
4. Use a program that converts the raster image to a vector - and does it well - these programs don't usually handle texture and other finishing raster touches well.

deb

[omio]

Thanks so much for your help, everyone. Much clearer to me now.