CONTACT US
for a no-obligation price quote.

Call us toll-free!
866-505-8697

Art Guidelines

File format: For optimal results, send your digital files in a print-ready format such as TIF, PDF, or EPS. We can also accept native Photoshop (PSD) and Illustrator (AI) files, but PDF, TIF, & EPS are greatly preferred.

Here are some important tips:

• Design your graphics in RGB, not CMYK.  CMYK is used for offset printing of business cards, cheap flyers, etc.  Digital printing using inkjet technology and high-end RIP software is best done with RGB files.
• Shoot your photos in RAW mode.  This will give you the maximum resolution for later retouching, cropping, etc.  You should also use a color mode of Adobe RGB or ProPhotoRGB.  Shooting in JPEG will result in smaller files and possibly truncated color space due to the use of sRGB.
• When using bitmap software like Photoshop, flatten the file to a single layer and save it as a TIF or PDF.  Crop your file to the desired print dimensions at a resolution of at least 300 ppi.
• When using vector software like Illustrator, convert all text to outlines, group all layers, and save it as an EPS.
• Embed a color profile with your graphics.  Again, Adobe RGB or ProPhotoRGB are best for large-format inkjet printing.

File Resolution: This is dictated mainly by viewing conditions. Here are some important tips:

• For a fine art print that will be viewed at approximately arm’s length, the digital file should be 300 to 360 ppi at the intended print dimensions.
• A bit depth of 8-bit works great for almost everything.  For high-end photo & fine art reproduction, 16-bit sometimes gives better results.
• For most signage applications, use a resolution of 180 ppi at the intended print dimensions.
• The longer the viewing distance, the lower the acceptable resolution, and hence the smaller the digital file.  Billboards are huge, viewed from very far away, and are printed at very low resolution.
• At shorter viewing distances, higher resolution is required, although this yields larger file sizes.  Fine art is usually viewed at approximately arm’s length (sometimes much closer) and therefore requires much higher file resolution.

File Transfer: To transfer large files (> 5 MB) to Lone Eagle, please click on the Upload Your Files link. This will be more effective than email and simpler than FTP. Be sure to include a brief description of your job (media to be used, size, finishing, etc.), your email address, phone number, and shipping address. Your digital files will be archived at Lone Eagle for future use at no cost, saving you valuable digital storage space and time.

Contour Cutting: If contour cutting is required, name your cut line “CutContour” and make sure it is designated as a “spot” color. Then save your file as an EPS. Contact us if you have questions.

Color: Please be aware that unless you use a high-end monitor and calibrate your monitor, the prints of your digital files may not match what you see on your monitor. At Lone Eagle, we use Eizo, LaCie, & Apple Cinema monitors that are color calibrated. This enables us to make corrections on-screen with the knowledge & confidence that that’s what the print will look like. A number of affordable color management devices are available to utilize in your workflow.  The increased productivity is worth the modest cost.