Q. What color process do you use for printing?
A. SpeedPro North Shore primarily uses the CMYK — Cyan, light Cyan, Magenta, light Magenta, Yellow, Black — process for printing. The addition of light Cyan and light Magenta, allow for more subtle colors to show through in prints. We also work with files created in other color builds, including RGB and LAB.
Q. Can you match printed colors?
A. Yes, we already color match for many customers, and would be happy to help you. Please provide us your color builds and any spot colors that need to be matched.
Q. What are the ideal file parameters for a large format graphics file?
A. Basically, the file should be done at full size (100% of the actual size of the graphic) and 150 dpi resolution. If you need to scale the file down to a smaller size, remember to increase the resolution by the same multiple so the end product will be 150 dpi at full size when we enlarge it for printing. So, a file done at 50% size should be created at 300 dpi; a file created at 20% size should be done at 750 dpi resolution.
Keep in mind that the aspect ratio of scaled files needs to match the aspect ratio of the final graphic. A file created at 8.5″ X 11″ (ratio of 1:1.294) will not scale properly to a 24″ X 36″ graphic (ratio of 1:5). Something will get lost in the file translation, or you will have white (or void) borders where the print did not scale.
Q. Does SpeedPro North Shore print from raster files or from vector files?
A. We can use either, as long as they are created to the above parameters. If some part of the file is to be cut out as part of the overall graphic, for example logos and lettering, then the file must be vector so the cutting computer has the necessary cut lines to follow. Typically, files with photographs are raster files and files that are design or shape elements are vector files.