FAQs

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Glossy finish lamination tends to make prints look more vibrant. Matte and Satin finishes will prevent unwanted glare (important for trade show exhibits or backdrops being used on television or camera) but do not enhance color.

Read more about lamination services here.

SpeedPro digital output is up to 6′ wide by 300′ long roll-fed and 5′ wide by 18′ long flatbed. Output can be tiled to produce full color images any size.

Depending on the substrate used and extreme environmental conditions, SpeedPro produced graphics can last indefinitely under indoor conditions. Outdoor applications, such as banners, can last several years, depending on finishing options like over laminates. All SpeedPro inks are UV-resistant.

Operating System

We run Adobe Creative Suite 4 on PC and primarily print from .eps or .tiff files. For more information about how to set up your files, please reference our file format sheet. We accept files in the following formats: .ai, .psd, .eps, .tif, .pdf, .jpg. Please note that .pdf, and .jpg files cannot be edited. Whenever possible, provide Windows Compatible files.

If you use any program but Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and cannot convert/export files to .EPS or .TIFF files, please convert to .PDF file. This typically includes Quark, InDesign, Corel, and miscellaneous sign programs.

Please build files as close to actual size as possible, or work in 1/2 or 1/4 scale of output size. It is not necessary to build files with extended bleed or crop marks. For best results, submit vector art and raster art in RGB or CMYK.

Font options

Convert all text to outlines or send all font sets included in file. Please provide highest resolution original versions of linked raster images.

We primarily request you convert all fonts to vector outlines or curves, depending on your program.

Feel free to send us the font files, in PC format. MAC fonts are incompatible with our system and therefore will not work.

Image Sharpness

If your graphics are primarily logos, text, and shapes, vector line art .EPS files provide the sharpest images in large format. Vector line art is based off x/y lines, curves and coordinates, you can enlarge the graphic as large as you like without losing resolution.

If your graphics are raster images (jpeg, tiff, bitmap, gif, etc.), please save files at 150-300dpi @ 100% file size for optimum clarity. Size file proportionately if you need to scale the image down, ex: 150dpi @ 100% = 600dpi @ 25%.

Images copied/pasted off the internet typically do not work well for large format.

Banner and Banner Stands

If you would like us to stitch your banners, please leave a 1.25″ bleed.

If you would like us to stitch banner pole pockets, please follow these directions:

• 4″ extra material required for .5″-.75″ diameter pole
• 6″ extra material required for 1″ diameter pole
• 8″ extra material required for 1.5″ diameter pole
• 9.5″ extra material required for 2″ diameter pole

The bleed for a retractable banner stand can run up to 10” on the bottom, depending on the type of retractable you have.

Read more about how to prepare your images for large format printing here.

Typical turnaround time on a standard project is 24-48 hours. Projects of higher quantity or are more labor intensive require an estimated time of completion from SpeedPro.

SpeedPro uses PC Windows workstations but can accept Macintosh files as well.

Read more about how to prepare your images for large format printing here.

Our printers can print up to 1440 x 1440 dpi, with standard print resolution of 720 x 720

Read all about our services here.

Full Color Printing
Exceptional clarity! Our digital printers give us the ability to print at up to 1440 dpi. Our inks will last 3 to 4 years (un-laminated) outdoors without fading and are of archival quality indoors because they are solvent based, waterproof, and UV resistant.

Lamination
Lamination can add a whole new finish to your print. Make your signs glossy, matte, luster or textured. A protective clear coat nearly doubles the life of your prints or signage for a very reasonable price.

Mounting
We can mount your graphics to any of our variety of materials such as foam boards, sheet styrene, aluminum, corrugated plastic, and more! Just let us know what type of use you have, and we will help you select the mounting that is right for your project.

Finishing
We can provide a wide variety of finishing options on all orders including hems, banner grommets and poster board trim to name just a few!

Graphics Design
Our in house graphics designers have experience in everything from simple banners to complex trade show displays and vehicle wraps. Get amazing designs and prints!

Vehicle Graphic Installation
Our in-house installation team can wrap nearly any type of vehicle. Our portfolio includes custom wraps for trucks, cars, RVs, boats, trailers, and fleet graphics.

Window Graphic Installation
One way window perforation is ideal for vehicle graphics or storefront advertising. Window perforation can prove problematic to install properly, so let our professionals take care of it for you!

Wall Graphic Installation
Wall graphics are very effective at building corporate identities and displaying logos. They are easy to care for once they are installed. Our installation team can put up logo graphics on your walls as large or as small as you need.

Decaling
Putting down decals such as door and window lettering is a breeze when you use our on-site installation. Why settle for a decal that is wrinkled or not properly adhered?

Image Scanning & Clean-up
Some graphics simply will not produce a fantastic print straight away. Our graphics team can clear up rough edges, alter many types of text, and modify your graphic exactly the way you need it.

Pantone Color Matching & Proofing
Your logo and brand identity is not up for discussion. Match your exact shades with the Pantone Matching System. We will create a print in miniature on the actual production material and printer for you to approve.

Rush Ordering
We know that sometimes graphics do not get approved on time or a million other hang ups – but that doesn’t mean you can miss a deadline. Not to worry — we will have your prints in your hands when you need it without sacrificing the quality you have come to expect.

Contour Cutting
Graphics can be contour-cut by a dedicated computer plotter. Cutting your graphic to a custom shape has never been easier. A simple vector format outline (which we can create) allows us to trim your graphic with computer precision! Decals and “Fat Heads” are examples of contour cutting.

Custom Job Request
We love a challenge. If you have a project and have been told elsewhere that they do not know to do it or where to start, contact us and talk to one of our graphics specialists.

Framing
Plastic edging in several colors: Pewter, Hi-Polish Black, Matte Black, Gold, Red, Blue, Chrome, and White. Also, paint receptive.

Stands/Displays
Wide array of banner stands including retractable, tension pole, telescopic, outdoor, economy displays, back walls, pop-up display, table throws and runners, table-top products, folding display panels, counters, linear display systems, orbital truss systems, literature racks and luminosity/display lighting.

Depending on the application, we use either the UV-curable or a SpeedPro proprietary eco-solvent ink on all of our printers. UV-curable inks allow us to print directly on almost any surface — glass, carpet, ceiling tile, etc. Eco-solvent based inks are aggressive and impregnate themselves into the media. Both inks deliver a high quality, long lasting print with the most vibrant colors possible.

Read more about inks used in large format printing here.

We start where most print shops leave off. Although we have the ability to print the smaller sized graphic requests, we specialize in producing large graphics including vehicle wraps, trade show displays and exhibits, full color outdoor banners, and much more.

Media is the material that your graphic is printed on. We print on many different types of media including banner material, adhesive backed vinyl, fabrics, backlit material, and many others.

Calendered Vinyl
General-purpose signs and graphics; moderate to good exterior durability. Greater production yields equals less cost. Stiffer/thicker film equals easier handling. Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion. Intended for flat, smooth opaque application surfaces.

Cast Vinyl
Designed for maximum outdoor durability and conformability. Cast films also maintain their color and other properties better than other vinyl films. Better performance of pigments and UV absorbers, less shrinkage. Durability of cast films is generally higher than that of other vinyl films. Cast films can be made very thin which produces a conformable product that allows application over substrates with rivets, corrugations, and complex curves. Excellent for flat and irregular opaque application surfaces and vehicles.

Translucent
Formulated for illuminated signs and backlit displays. Intended for flat rigid, flex face applications, and maximum light transmission.

Reflective
Ideally suited to safety and commercial signs or vehicle graphics that require viewing both day and night.

Mirror Finish
Silver and gold with a polished chrome, matte, brushed, or specialty-textured surface.

Etched Frosted
Simulates the appearance of etched or sandblasted glass on window fronts, entry doors, and partitions.

Banner
Durable, flexible, tear and fade resistant material will withstand most weather conditions. Available in a variety of scrim, smooth, and mesh materials. Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion.

Specialty
Variety of specialty media such as photo paper, artist canvas, perforated window film, static cling, street & wall graphics & more.

No Adhesive
Banners, photo paper, poster paper, and artist canvas typically do not have any adhesive.

Changeable
Changeable films can be removed without any aids such as heat or chemicals and without leaving adhesive residue.

Repositionable
Repositionable graphics have a low-tack adhesive that leaves no residue and can be reused like “Fat Heads.”

Semi-permanent
Some semi-permanent films can be removed with the aid of heat only. Others may require chemicals or accessories. These films leave less than 30% adhesive residue that can also be removed. Vehicle wraps are semi-permanent.

Permanent
Permanent films are not designed to be removed. In some cases they can be removed, but with great difficulty and likely damage to the substrate. If they are removed, they may leave significant adhesive residue. Decals and signage typically use permanent adhesives.

Static Cling
Designed for short-term indoor window or mirror graphics where no adhesion is required. Static cling graphics are repositionable and reusable.

Magnetic
Magnetic signs and decals can be “stuck” to any ferrous material and moved.

Laminate is applied on top of media, and in many cases helps further protect the graphic from abuse. We generally use a cold lamination film process and have a multitude of laminates, ranging from matte to high gloss that can be used depending on the use and application of the project. We also use liquid laminates on certain applications such as wall coverings.

Gloss/Satin/Matte
Laminates provide a high level of UV protection. They also protect prints from moisture and abrasion. Laminates can also be used to enhance the depth of the image.

Dry Erase
Dry erase laminates can turn any sign into dry erase. Great applications include menu boards, business presentations, and leader boards.

Anti-skid
Anti-skid laminates provide a slip-resistant surface on floor graphics. (UL classified #4R93 for slip resistance)

Anti-graffiti
Anti-graffiti laminates provide excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents. They allow for easy removal of graffiti.

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate laminates provide scuff and UV resistance. They also provide rigidity and durability to vinyl banners and decals.

Substrates consist of foam-core, gatorboard, MDO board, plexiglass, alumacor, polystyrene, PVC, etc. Your adhesive backed graphics are mounted to these types of materials to add strength and rigidity.

Corrugated Plastic “Coroplast”
Durable because it is waterproof and resistant to stains and most chemicals. At regular temperatures most oils, solvents, and water have no effect, allowing it to perform under adverse weather conditions or as a product component exposed to harsh chemicals. Wide range of colors. 4mm is a common thickness; 10mm is very heavy and rigid. Coroplast is a popular brand.

Foam Core
Extruded polystyrene foam core laminated on both sides with heavy white or black smooth coated paper. Designed for interior mounting applications requiring rigid, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive material. Typically, foam core is used for short-term usage as it dents readily and does not hold up well to certain glues, such as superglue and some paints.

Ultra Board
Heavy-duty, all-plastic panel that features a litho-grade, high-impact polystyrene surface for permanent displays and signs. Ultra Board is designed primarily for interior use, but can be used outdoors, and it is durable. Dent-resistant styrene liners are secured to the foam center with a bond that keeps the panel flat and rigid. Moisture does not penetrate.

Poly-metal
Solid or corrugated plastic core with aluminum laminated to both surfaces. Extremely flat surface that will not warp or distort. Excellent durability in outdoor applications. Alumalite, Alumacor, Dibond, and Omega-bond are popular brand names.

Styrene
Extruded high impact material used primarily as an indoor panel or for outdoor usage up to 1 year.

Expanded PVC
Expanded PVC is lightweight, rigid board of moderately expanded closed-cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Low gloss matte finish. Will not rust, rot, peel, or absorb water. Suitable for display, exhibit, interior, or exterior signage and for photo mounting. Soften at about 150*F. This means that you can easily heat up thin (3mm or thinner) pieces and mold as needed. Sintra is popular brand name.

Magnetic Sheeting
Permanent magnetic sheet used primarily in vehicle magnetic signs. Vehicle magnetic signs are typically .030″ thick and 18″ x 24″. However, the largest magnetic sheet available is 24″ x 50″.

Sign board
Exterior grade wood products with a variety of aluminum, vinyl, or enamel surfaces. Excellent for exterior signage.

Acrylic
Lightweight, high optical quality, high impact strength, and excellent weather ability. Ideal for backlit signage.

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonates are Lightweight, high impact strength and excellent weather ability. They come in clear and white. Primarily known by the trademarked names Lexan, Makrolon, Makroclear and are a particular group of thermoplastic polymers. They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates find many applications. Ideal for backlit signage.

Eco-Solvent (Mild Solvent)

Definition:
Inks using less toxic solvent-based carrier. Printers using eco-solvent inks emit less harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Mild solvent inks combine the durability advantages of true solvent ink with the environmental advantages of water-based ink.

Pros

• Less need for special ventilation
• Lesser wear and tear on printer components, such as print heads
• Cost is comparable to solvent-based ink
• Durability is comparable to solvent-based ink

Cons

• Due to less aggressive solvent, more drying time is required to adhere to materials
• Does not print on variety of materials as true solvent (like rigid PVC or high gloss materials)
• Often printers have a slower speed

UV Inks

Definition:
UV-curable inks are “cured” once they are exposed to wavelengths of UV light. The ink consists of a photo initiator, and when exposed to the UV light, it undergoes a chemical process that transforms the ink into a solid film that tightly adheres directly onto the substrate’s surface.

Essentially, during the curing process, the ink is transformed into a thin layer of plastic that acts as a top layer to the substrate it has been applied to.

The flatbed printing industry is dominated by UV Inks. UV Inks have the distinction from solvent inks based on their capability to print directly onto rigid substrates. Due to color and hardness, it is ideal for outdoor signage.

Pros

• Typically cheaper per ft/squared than solvent
• UV Ink system is environmentally friendly, containing little to no solvents
• Little to no odor
• Faster print speeds reduce production cost
• Due to ink being cured into a film, it is ideal for outdoor durable signage
• Unlike solvent printers, flatbed printers utilize UV Ink technology to print directly to rigid materials
• Instant curing allows for handling of material as soon as it leaves printer; allowing for faster turnaround in production environment
• UV Inks are better for the equipment itself, as it will not harden within the print components, but rather only when cured onto the material it is being applied to
• Does have capability to print on vinyl and banner, with the appropriate application

Cons

• UV Ink does not work with all substrates
• Finish of the ink is considered flat or matte
• UV Ink is not ideal for applications with high level of abrasion
• Lower image resolution than roll-to-roll printers
• UV Ink is less flexible than other ink systems, due to the cured ink being more brittle

Though cast vinyl and calendered vinyl look the same they have some very fundamental differences that are established during their creation that yield specific application limitations. These limitations are essential to know when selecting vinyl for various projects.

Calendered vinyl, which gets its name from the manufacturing process, is created from a series of basic raw materials which are run through a series of calendered rollers once it reaches a molten state. The process of being fed through these heavy rollers establishes the flat smooth surface that is calendered vinyl. This process is fantastic for high volume vinyl projects as it is quick and can yield a very large amount of vinyl. The one set back to this process is due to its original molten state as a ‘ball’ of material that is flattened, the vinyl retains a memory of this shape and when exposed to heat tends to slightly shrink. Though this ‘dimensional stability’ is not of the highest quality it is subtle and ideal for shorter term projects. This vinyl process tends to yield thicker vinyl which is ideal for durability during its use.

Cast Vinyl, also named after its production process. This vinyl though is prepared as a liquid and is poured into casts that are then run through a process to solidify the mixture. After the solvents have evaporated the vinyl is ready and since it was in a relaxed state during this process it does not have the tendencies to regain any other shape which offered high ‘dimensional stability’. As you can imagine this process is a bit more time-consuming and produces a vinyl that has a longer life span in addition to a difference set of specifications. Due to these factors it tends to be a higher quality material and a bit more expensive than its calendered alternative.

SpeedPro offers various vinyls of both selections, understanding the limitations and capabilities of our vinyl allow us to better serve the needs of our clients. The 3M Company is the leading manufacturer of Cast vinyl which has been established at the top choice vinyl for vehicle graphics. Additionally SpeedPro is on the certified vendor list for all 3M vehicle wrap vinyl and stocks the freshest vinyl and laminates for all vinyl projects.

Operating System

We run Adobe Creative Suite 4 on PC and primarily print from .eps or .tiff files. For more information about how to set up your files, please reference our file format sheet. We accept files in the following formats: .ai, .psd, .eps, .tif, .pdf, .jpg. Please note that flattened .pdf, and .jpg files cannot be edited. Whenever possible, provide Windows Compatible files.

If you use any program but Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and cannot convert/export files to .EPS or .TIFF files, please convert to .PDF file. This typically includes Quark, InDesign, Corel, and miscellaneous sign programs.

Please build files as close to actual size as possible, or work in 1/2 or 1/4 scale of output size. It is not necessary to build files with extended bleed or crop marks. For best results, submit vector art and raster art in CMYK.

Font options

Convert all text to outlines or send all font sets included in file. Please provide highest resolution original versions of linked raster images.

We primarily request you convert all fonts to vector outlines or curves, depending on your program.

Feel free to send us the font files, in PC format. MAC fonts are incompatible with our system and therefore will not work.

Image Sharpness

If your graphics are primarily logos, text, and shapes, vector line art .EPS files provide the sharpest images in large format. Vector line art is based off x/y lines, curves and coordinates, you can enlarge the graphic as large as you like without losing resolution.

If your graphics are raster images (jpeg, tiff, bitmap, gif, etc.), please save files at 150-300dpi @ 100% file size for optimum clarity. Size file proportionately if you need to scale the image down, ex: 150dpi @ 100% = 600dpi @ 25%.

Images copied/pasted off the internet typically do not work well for large format.

Banner and Banner Stands

If you would like us to stitch your banners, please leave a 1.25″ bleed.

If you would like us to stitch banner pole pockets, please follow these directions:

• 4″ extra material required for .5″-.75″ diameter pole
• 6″ extra material required for 1″ diameter pole
• 8″ extra material required for 1.5″ diameter pole
• 9.5″ extra material required for 2″ diameter pole

The bleed for banner stands depends on the specific banner stand. Typically, a 2″ bleed will be needed along the bottom and 3/4″ at the top.

Sometimes people want to use images they find on an internet website that might be 200-300 pixels wide and cannot understand why the printer will not print a clear, crisp image. Obviously, it has nothing to do with the printer, but everything to do with the original artwork. It’s like the saying says – “garbage in, garbage out.”

Digital Print 101

There are two basic types of files- Raster (bitmaps) and Vector (outlines). For example, a photo is usually a Raster Image, and a font is usually a Vector or outline.

Vector file formats (scalable to any size UNLESS they contain bitmaps in addition to vector images) EPS (Encapsulated Postscript)

• AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• PDF (Acrobat)
• Raster/bitmap file formats (may not support being scaled to large sizes)
• TIF (or TIFF – Tagged Image File Format)
• JPG (or JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group)
• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format. Be careful of GIF files as these are most commonly used for websites and are usually not high enough resolution to be enlarged significantly)

There are a couple of additional considerations to keep in mind. While EPS, PS, and AI files commonly contain vector data, they can also include bitmap data as well. The opposite is not true. TIF’s, JPG’s, and GIF’s only carry raster data and do not carry any vector data. In addition, when working with JPG files, they use a compression scheme to reduce file size. (TIF’s may or may not use an optional file compression.) Resizing a JPG file compresses the image which means reduced quality. Bitmaps files are best as uncompressed TIF’s. The files are large, but there is no loss of quality when changes are saved.

The biggest difference between Raster and Vector file formats is that a vector image can be infinitely enlarged since the image is created without outlines or line segments and curves. The amount a Raster (bitmap) image can be enlarged depends on the original resolution, and accepted loss of clarity versus the accepted viewing distance. Raster images are commonly used for photographic images, but they are also a bit more complicated to set up and produce a quality large format print.

A Raster image (bitmap) is made up of tiny dots, and each dot can be one of many thousands, if not millions of colors. There are also two color modes or pallets – CYMK (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, and Black) or RGB (Red, Green, and Blue.) Generally, the RGB color space is larger, and many RIP programs like this format to produce the most vibrant colors. I know this might seem odd, as the printer is a CYMK device. Eventually all files will be converted to CYMK by the RIP (Raster Image Processor) program when it outputs to the printer. Nonetheless, starting with RGB files and letting the RIP make this conversion will generally produce the most vibrant images.

Raster images also have limitations on how much it can be enlarged depending on the original file’s resolution. We recommend keeping the final output resolution between 100 and 200 DPI (dots per inch) at FULL SIZE. Below 100 DPI and you will start to see a sacrifice of quality. Over 200 DPI, you are probably wasting hard drive space and processing time. (Unless you are printing 4 point type and the print is to be viewed from a very close distance.) This file resolution is not to be confused with print resolution. Even though our input files are 100-200 DPI, we typically print at least 360 DPI and more often 720 DPI. This ensures the smallest droplet and lack of graininess.

One exception might be on a billboard or a tractor-trailer. These areas are so large, that a 200 DPI input file will be too large for most computers to deal with. When working in Photoshop, these files can swell over 1 Gigabyte.

A high-end camera in today’s market may be as high as 12-Megapixels or more. (1 Megapixel = 1 million pixels). A 12-Megapixel camera, for example, may have a resolution of 4288 pixels wide x 2848 pixels high. In keeping our file within our 100 DPI guideline, the maximum size we can output with minimal distortion is 42.88″ wide (4288 pixels wide divided by 100). The larger the original image and the more pixel data you have, the more leeway you have to work with. With this much pixel data, we can go a reasonable amount larger than 42.88″ and still achieve good results. Keep in mind, the larger we go from the original, the fuzzier and more pixilated the final output will be.

The next consideration is how much fuzziness is acceptable. It depends on how the image is viewed. Just as you would not be viewing an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper from 40 feet, you would also not expect to view a tractor-trailer from 6″. Billboards would be another extreme and their resolution might be as low as 2 to 20 DPI. However, the billboard might be 40 feet in the air, and viewed from many hundreds of feet away, thus the resolution can be much, much less.

SpeedPro uses special software to smooth out the “jaggies” of less than optimal files. The software has proprietary algorithms to create better enlargements than Photoshop, as long as there is sufficient pixel data. It cannot perform miracles, but it can make a significant improvement.

The larger the original image, the more we can enlarge the image and maintain the crispness. Keep in mind, the larger we go from the original, the fuzzier and pixilated the final output will be.

The ideal resolution is 300 DPI (dots per inch.) Nevertheless, resolution of 100 DPI, if the viewing distance is greater than 10 feet, or 150 DPI, if less, should be adequate.

The following table translates the pixel count of the original image for typical internet files and digital cameras at different DPI levels to show the final image size. Note internet images typically do not contain many pixels.

Here is an example, when following the 100 DPI, full-size guideline: If you take a file that starts out at 600 pixels wide, the largest you can print, keeping to the 100 DPI rule is 6 inches. (Divide 600 pixels by 100 = 6″). Of course, it is possible to enlarge the file to a much larger size in Photoshop, but this just multiplies the pixels around each other, and you will just create a fuzzy mess. Photoshop will just take each pixel and create a new pixel next to it, halfway in color to the next, and so on. This is why most website images are not useable for large format output. There is just not enough pixel data. Website graphics are created at as small a resolution as possible to create a reasonable image to view on a monitor and reduce bandwidth. This makes the website load as quickly as possible.

We can provide complete graphic design services or make changes to an existing design for an hourly charge. Our graphic designers have experience in everything from simple banners to complex trade show displays and vehicle wraps. Our graphics team can clean up rough edges, alter many types of text, and modify your graphic exactly the way you need it.

We can match colors with high accuracy. Although digital printers do not print PMS and RGB colors, our production team will match spot colors upon request. Printed colors may look slightly different depending on materials. We can provide proofs before production runs.

Royalty-free images can be purchased from the following providers. However, let us check by how much images can be enlarged before you purchase them.

• www.istockphoto.com
• www.shutterstock.com
• www.bigstockphoto.com
• www.dreamstime.com
• www.masterfile.com
• www.gettyimages.com