4185 E Hwy 29 Ste A
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 869-SIGN (7446)

Preparing artwork and digital files

File Formats accepted by Affordable Signs
Preparing files for the proper application
Raster vs. Vector

Cleaning, Care and Storage

How to care for Magnetics
How to care for Banners

Preparing artwork and digital files

File Formats accepted by Affordable Signs

.ai	- Adobe Illustrator CS3 or earlier
.eps	- PostScript Level 1
.pdf	- Portable Document Format (Adobe Acrobat Reader)
.cdr	- Corel Draw 12 or earlier
.psd	- Adobe PhotoShop CS3 or earlier (for digital printing jobs)
.tif, .tiff, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, .png	- "Raster Only" Formats* (See note below)

Files may be packed into a .zip, .rar or .sit file ... .zip files are preferred. Self extracting .exe (executable) files will not be accepted.

*Except when supplied in hi-resolution for printing purposes, these formats are generally considered to be used only for preview or sample representations - artwork may need to be re-created when sending these formats for purposes other than digital printing at supplied resolution.

If you use a particular format that is not listed above, please contact artwork@affordablesignstexas.com with the details of your file format (including the program and version used to create the file)

Preparing files for the proper application

Files should be prepared and supplied in a "Vector" format (such as Adobe Illustrator) when the intended product uses cut-out vinyl.

Before sending vector files, make sure to convert all text to "curves" or "outlines".

If a specific 'contour cut' is required (cutting to a defined shape) then please either specify exactly where the contour cut should be placed and/or include the contour cut lines in a bright hi-lighted color in your vector file (such as pink or green). Be sure to let us know if a contour cut line exists so we don't accidentally print the line instead of cutting it!

DO NOT rasterize vector files before sending, but DO include all linked files including embedded rasterized graphics (such as photos included with a text layout) AND any fonts required for precise scalable reproduction. (PC fonts only: .ttf, .ot, .pfm - Mac fonts are not accepted)

Rasterized files (photos or renderings) should be created at 300dpi or 600dpi. These files may need to be compressed with a program such as WinZip (or a Windows 'Compressed Folder' .zip file).

Raster vs. Vector

Raster files are "dot by dot" files, generally used for photographic images or renderings that do not require any scaling (enlarging or reducing). These files contain only color dot information and they do not enlarge very well without causing "pixelation" (large square misplaced dots).

A 300dpi file contains 300 dots per inch each direction horizontal and vertical (or 90,000 dots per square inch)

Vector files are "point to point with fill" files, generally used for scalability. These files can be targeted to print any size (from 1/4" to billboard size!) without losing quality. These files contain less information and are generally a smaller file size than raster images (unless rasterized images are embedded within a vector artwork file)

Vector files to not adhere to a strict "dpi" (dots per inch) output, and they can be output at any specific resolution or size, however, if rasterized images are included or embedded within a vector artwork file then you must remember to use a high-resolution raster image within your vector artwork. Using a low-resolution raster image will cause pixelation problems when printing at any larger size than the original raster image.

Cleaning, Care and Storage

How to care for Magnetics

	Clean vehicle surface where magnetic is to be applied and let dry (use Windex or other mild cleaner)
	Do not lay magnetic across body grooves or molding... your magnetic will fall off!
	Remove when washing vehicle, clean back of magnetic and let dry thoroughly before reapplying.
	Remove and clean weekly (car surface & back of magnetic)
	For off-vehicle storage, lat FLAT, preferably on a refrigerator or other metal surface.

How to care for Banners

	Do not fold banner (this can cause lettering to separate from banner)
	Roll banner with lettering facing to the outside of roll. To protect lettering in storage, wrap roll in brown paper or mail-wrap.
	Clean banner before storage (use Windex or other mild cleaner)

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