Artwork Guidelines

TRADE SHOW DISPLAYS ONLINE SHOP

Top-quality portable trade show displays

Artwork Guidelines. How to create a stuning artwork for your trade show booth.

FILE FORMAT

Tiger Expo artwork guidelines: Starting with high-quality PDF files is essential for optimal results. To ensure the best outcome, please follow these guidelines:

For optimal results, export your files using the “High-Quality Printing” setting.

Before exporting your file as a PDF, it’s crucial to convert all text to outlines and embed all images. This step guarantees that the final output matches your intended design.

Additionally, including a screenshot or .jpg proof will help us verify the content accurately.

If you have created a 3D model of your trade show display, please remember to attach it along with your files.

This will provide us with a better understanding of your project.

In case you encounter any difficulties generating a “High-Quality Print” PDF, we accept alternative file formats created with the following software:

Photoshop (.PSD):
Ensure that all layers, paths, channels, links, and fonts are included.
Illustrator (.AI):
Convert text to outlines and include all linked images (do not embed images). Please note that InDesign and QuarkXpress files are not recommended for large-format printing. Instead, we request that you generate a “High-Quality Printing” PDF from these software programs. Lastly, if you have a render of your upcoming trade show display, please send it to us and indicate the precise location of your artwork. This information will assist us in providing you with the best possible service.

TEMPLATES

templates available for download on our website, all conveniently provided in PDF format. These templates are specifically designed for various graphic sizes, ensuring a seamless setup for your artwork.

When utilizing these templates, you’ll notice color-coded guidelines that serve as visual aids, guiding you to accurately position your elements. It’s important to place all relevant information within the designated safe area to avoid any potential cropping during the printing process.

To achieve a cohesive and visually appealing design, we recommend extending background images all the way to the ends of the document template. This approach ensures consistent and full coverage, creating a polished and professional look.

Visit our website today and access these valuable resources to streamline your artwork preparation process.

CONTINUOUS IMAGES

For a seamless and continuous image across multiple panels, it is crucial to ensure that the graphics meet up precisely at the dashed lines indicated on the templates.

To achieve this seamless continuity, make sure that the endpoints of one panel’s dashed lines align perfectly with the dashed lines starting points of the next panel. This ensures a smooth transition and eliminates any visible gaps or interruptions in the image.

By carefully aligning the graphics along these lines, you’ll create a cohesive and uninterrupted visual flow across the entire design. This attention to detail will contribute to a professional and visually captivating final result.

Remember to take this into account when setting up your artwork to ensure a flawless and continuous image across all panels.

RESOLUTION

To achieve optimal results in print quality, it is recommended to ensure that the resolution of images falls within the range of 72-125 DPI (dots per inch) at the final print size, considering the full size of the artwork. This range ensures a balance between image sharpness and file size.

Submitting images with resolutions higher than 125 DPI will result in larger file sizes without any significant improvement in print quality. 

Please ensure that your images meet these resolution guidelines to achieve the best possible results in your printed materials.

COLOR

To ensure accurate color reproduction, it is essential that all colors in your artwork are defined in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) color mode. Converting colors from RGB to CMYK can sometimes result in significant color changes. Therefore, we recommend proofing your colors prior to submission to verify their accuracy.

While we do accept Pantone Spot Colors upon request, it is important to note that achieving exact color matches may not always be feasible. Reference printouts can be used for layout purposes only and should not be considered as precise color references.

If you are unable to send a color layout, please include a .jpg, .pdf (screen optimized), or a screenshot file. Clearly mark the filename as “proof” to indicate its purpose.

For black color, please utilize Process Black to ensure consistent and accurate printing results.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can help us deliver the best possible representation of your intended colors in the final printed materials.

FILE TRANSFER

To ensure efficient and reliable file transfer, we recommend compressing all files and sending them to us via WeTransfer. Compressing files reduces their size, making the transfer process faster and more manageable. We suggest using commonly used compression formats such as .sit, .rar, or .zip.

By compressing your files, you can conveniently package multiple files into a single archive, simplifying the transfer process and minimizing the risk of any file corruption or errors during transmission.

Please create a compressed archive using one of the mentioned formats (.sit, .rar, or .zip) before uploading your files to WeTransfer. This will help ensure a smooth and secure transfer of your files to their destination.

If you have any additional questions or require further assistance, please let us know.

PROOFING

Proof prints, if required, are approx. 12″ x 12”. Please allow for additional production time when proofs are required. Final order delivery will be delayed by the time required to ship and confirm proofs.

DOUBLE SIDE PRINTING

When printing a light-colored background on one side of your trade show display panel and dark, colorful prints on the other side, it’s important to be aware of the potential for a phenomenon known as “show-through.” Show-through occurs when the darker graphics on the reverse side are slightly visible through the light-colored background due to variations in lighting and ambient conditions.

While we strive for the best possible print quality and opacity, it is important to note that show-through can still occur to some extent. Factors such as lighting intensity, viewing angles, and the overall environment can influence the visibility of the graphics on the opposite side.

To minimize the impact of show-through, we recommend considering the following:

Design with show-through in mind: When creating your artwork, take into account the potential for transparency and adjust your design elements accordingly. Use appropriate color contrasts and consider incorporating background patterns or textures that can help mitigate the visibility of the show-through.

TURNAROUND TIME

Our standard turnaround time for most print orders is 7-10 days, which includes the production process. However, please note that shipping timing to the destination is not included in this estimate. The shipping time will vary depending on the location and shipping method chosen.

To obtain an exact schedule for your specific order, we recommend reaching out to your designated sales representative. They will be able to provide you with detailed information regarding the production timeline and shipping options based on your order requirements and location.

By contacting your sales representative, you can ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the turnaround time and delivery of your print order.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your sales representative for personalized support and guidance.

PROOF DISCLAIMER

We kindly ask you to carefully examine the e-proof we will provide after receiving your artwork for your order. After reviewing, please respond to that message indicating your approval or raising any concerns you may have regarding the final print. Your approval of that email confirms that you believe your design is accurate in terms of content and that you authorize its production for print.

It’s important to understand that once you give this approval, Tiger Expo is no longer responsible for any projects printed with incorrect content or color. If color accuracy is a priority for you, we highly recommend ordering a print proof for a thorough review. If you opt to proceed without a print proof, please understand that Tiger Expo cannot be held accountable for any unexpected variations in color or layout errors.

Additionally, it’s crucial to note that the color you see on your screen may not accurately reflect how your file will look when printed. Different screens, printers, and materials can result in varying colors and layouts.

In the rare event that you identify issues after granting approval and the order has already been sent for printing, please be aware that there will be additional costs associated with a reprint. The specific cost will be determined based on the individual circumstances of each case. More detailed information about our proofing process can be found below. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

E-PROOF

Our E-proof is a low-resolution file and is intended to represent the content, cropping, sizing, and positioning of your artwork as it will be produced. It is not intended to represent exact image quality or color accuracy. Please be aware we assume your artwork is correct as supplied and will print your graphics exactly as you send them to us. We are not responsible for artwork quality, image resolution, grammatical errors, or designs that have not correctly followed our templates. Tiger Expo will not proofread your designs. Any modifications or adjustments to your graphic, no matter how minor can take time and graphic fees may apply if it’s your request that Tiger Expo makes those changes.

Remember the golden rule is to check your file at 100% or real pixels, that way you will make sure everything is ok (avoid blurring images if you can).

It’s important to follow the guidelines and use images that will allow you to scale them to the final size.

That’s why if you want to make sure of the final result.  What you see at 100% is what will print out.