Illustrator User Tips

How to Design in Illustrator, Resolution, Color, Text and Saving Files

File Size: For best results use the templates provided at the bottom of the product pages. If you are creating your own document, please make sure the dimension of your file is the exact size of the finished size. 

If you need our graphic designers to modify your art work, send us your original Illustrator file(s).
Once your order is placed you can submit your graphics with detailed information in the comments section if you need your graphics adjusted. Graphic adjustments is based on our hourly rate. Please call for an estimated time for adjustments. 

Image Resolution: Your photos will need to be at least 125 DPI and a maximum of 300 DPI at full size.

Determine Image Quality from Source

Good Quality:
High resolution/high quality stock photography
High resolution/high quality scanner

Low Quality:
Screen capture
Low resolution/low quality stock photography
Image pulled from a web site

Why 125 DPI? Since your banner will be a large format print a resolution higher then 125dpi will not change the print quality. Many of us are used to the 300dpi which is used for our business documents, in the case of large format it is overkill.

• If you are uncertain of the quality of your images, please call us at 239-433-9738 or email us at [email protected]

Color Mode: Your file must to be in CMYK mode.
File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color

Fonts: Convert all your text to outlines. To do so Select all (Quick Key: Mac: Apple + A or PC: Ctrl + A) then go to type drop down menu and select create outlines (Quick Key: Mac: Apple + Shift + O or PC: Ctrl + Shift + O). If you would rather package your files you do not need to outline your text. Please see the package instructions further down.

Type > Create Outline

*If your text is not outlined, delays or font will be substituted, and may not be a font close to originally chosen font.

Embedding Images: Once you have the image(s) you want in your file, to help keep the proofing process run smoothly we will need you to embed your image(s) into your file. You will do this by going to your Links palette, and selecting the image(s) that are being used in the file. With the image(s) selected you will go to the drop down menu located in the upper right corner of the palette. There is an option in the drop down menu to embed image(s), select that option and it will embed the images into the file.  If you would rather package your files you do not embed your image(s). Please see the package instructions further down.

Package an Illustrator Document

With the file open in Illustrator go to File>Package (Quick Key: Mac: Option + Shift + Apple + P or PC: ALT + Shift + Ctrl + P)
Refer to screenshot below.

When the Package window pops open you will choose the location on where you want the file to save. Please name the folder name with your order number.  

In the Options section you will need to have the following checked to package the document correctly.

• Copy links
  
• Collect links in separate folder
  
• Relink linked files to document
  
• Copy fonts used in document (Except CJK & Typekit fonts)
  

Then Click Package. The program will then create a folder in the location selected
with everything needed for that file.