Big banners, often used for marketing purposes, are a staple of the advertising world. Whether your business is looking to promote a sale, event, or simply want to draw attention to an area of the store, big-format printing can deliver a high-impact, cost-effective solution. However, designing a great banner that will catch the eye of your audience requires a good understanding of what makes a visually appealing piece and how the printing process works to ensure your final product looks its best.
A large-format print is any printed item that has a dimension of more than six inches. In the printing industry, this is also referred to as grand format printing, and it’s all around us. The window and wall posters you see when visiting a shopping mall, the sponsor banners during sporting events, or even those fake crowd graphics on your favorite reality TV show—all of these are examples of grand format printing.
The larger size of a large-format print means that details can be more apparent, making it important to pay close attention to the image resolution when designing for this type of work. As a general rule, 300 dots per inch (dpi) is ideal for print-quality results. However, for very detailed designs or photographs, a higher resolution may be necessary to maintain clarity and sharpness.
Choosing the right file format is also crucial for successful large-format printing. PDF files, which are commonly used in the printing industry, are a great choice for banners because they preserve formatting and embed fonts. They can also be compressed without a noticeable loss in quality, making them an ideal option for those working with limited storage space.
When it comes to color, choose CMYK instead of RGB for your designs. The colors used in the CMYK palette are well-suited to large-scale printing and offer more color options than the fewer hues of the RGB palette. CMYK images will also look better when printed on paper than they do on canvas, which is typically used for digital printing.
Fonts are another element of a good banner design that will grab the eye of your audience. Considering the size of your banner and the distance from which it will be viewed, you’ll want to select fonts that are bold and easy to read from afar.
It’s also a good idea to test out your design on a smaller scale before committing it to large-format printing. This will give you the opportunity to identify any potential issues with your design and make changes before sending it off for production.
When paired with compelling visuals and a clear message, large format printing can be an effective way to reach a wide audience and communicate your brand’s message. With the right planning and preparation, you’ll be able to create banners that are sure to wow your audience. The next time you’re in need of a San Francisco large format printing services, consider working with a trusted printing partner in San Francisco to get the job done.