Print template for outdoor signs: requirements and tips

An outdoor sign is like a business card for the company in the outside world. In order for the sign to appear professional and of high quality, a few rules should be observed when preparing the print template .

Acceptable formats for sign print data

A graphically sophisticated and technically flawless template is one of the most important prerequisites for a high-quality outdoor sign .

A print template created as a vector graphic in .pdf or .eps format ensures the best print quality. If you use special fonts in your template, please convert them to outlines before printing to avoid any discrepancies.

Image formats such as .jpg, .bmp, .tif or .png can also be used for sign printing. Prerequisite: the print template should be designed in the final sign size and with an image resolution of at least 300 pixels .

Sign print data that has been prepared in a text format (e.g. .doc or .odt ) should be converted to .pdf format before printing. In the new Office versions, you can create a PDF file directly from the text editor (in Microsoft Office: "File > Save as PDF" or in OpenOffice: "File > Export as PDF" ). It is also possible to create PDF directly online with an online converter .

Recommended file size

A maximum recommended template file size is 10 MB . Tip: if your file exceeds this size, you can pre-archive it as a .zip or .rar archive. Another way: put the large file on a file-sharing website (such as Dropbox) and simply provide the link to the template file when ordering the shield.

Tips for designing the shield template

If possible, design your print template in the CMYK print color space, because CMYK ensures the greatest possible color fidelity. Your print motif is applied to a special high-performance film using digital printing, which is then covered with the protective laminate. If you have opted for a satin acrylic glass sign (also known as a milky look), please note that all colors can be slightly lighter after printing due to the semi-transparent background. Therefore, slightly more intense color tones should be created in the print file. It should also be noted that the signs with a "milk" look cannot be painted white .

When designing the print template for our outdoor signs , bleed allowances are not necessary, but they are an advantage. The approx. 2 mm wide edges around the sign help with the technical implementation.

Please leave approx. 30 x 30 mm free space for the fastenings in the corners. The edges and the free space should not contain any text or parts of images. The decorative caps of the wall brackets have a diameter of 15 mm. We are happy to include the exact distances between the holes at no extra cost if you need it.

Notes on color matching

Please note: the colors achieved in the print are subject to a tolerance due to the printing process, despite all due care. The most extensive color fidelity, color accuracy and color consistency can only be achieved to a limited extent within the scope of these printing-related tolerances. In 4/4 digital printing, the color is mixed from 4 primary colors and in some cases some color values ​​(especially in the grayscale area) cannot be reproduced exactly. Nevertheless, we strive to achieve the greatest possible color fidelity with every order.