Originally posted by: NightDarker
Originally posted by: rivan
If it's line art, vector art from Illustrator will produce higher quality final results, with the bonus of a MUCH smaller, lighter-weight file.
That said, there's no reason you can't use photoshop for large output; the reality is that you'd probably be fine at that size at 150 dpi, and since you mention there's no color, you can drastically reduce your working file size by switching to greyscale color (instead of RGB).
Furthermore, you can create all-vector art using the path tools (shape layers, pen tool, etc) in Photoshop. You can create the file at any size/resolution and resize it without degradation (as long as it's ALL paths/vector).
EPS as a file format (as suggested above) supports both vector and raster art and is, in itself, no guarantee of quality reproduction.
So having my 24" x 8" 300dpi image stretched out to 8' x 3' will look OK?
I've been a couple years removed from the sign making business, but I'll try my best.
🙂 First off, your file is in a 3:1 ratio, but your banner is in a 2.66:1 ratio. Something will have to give. Make your file 24"x9", and that'll be one less thing you have to fool with later (and one less thing for your sign maker to ask you about).
Second, I agree with others that if you have the ability to create your banner in a vector .eps file, then do it. However, you might even do one better and just call ahead of time and ask the sign maker what file format they'd like to have for creating a banner with differing shades of grey.
Third, using 300dpi is perfectly fine, if not overkill. If you're fine with the file size and your sign maker is fine with it, then go for it.
🙂 I seem to remember our designer making full color banners in 150dpi, then being able to blow them up to a decent size. He typically worked solely with Illustrator and eps files.
Fourth, check around to some local sign shops and see if they can beat Kinko's price. Sign prices differ wildly around the nation, depending on location and how much people are willing to pay. If you go with a sign maker, YOU CAN HAGGLE! If you want to, of course. When I worked in sales for a brief period, I remember once upcharging a guy about 25% just because he pulled up in a corvette and business suit. He paid with no arguments, because he didn't know any better.
In my area, 3'x8' banners usually run right around $100 for one color on one color. Since you have shades of grey, you'll most likely have to get it printed, unless the grey shaded part is small enough to be printed on an Edge decal, then applied. If you pay more than $150 for this banner, I think you're paying too much. If you don't need it quickly or anything, I can call my old boss and have him price it to include making it and shipping it to you, but I don't think you'd save too much doing it that way.
EDIT: Also wanted to add that if you plan on using this banner for a while, it might be worth trying to find out how much it will be to print on scrim banner material instead of a cheap vinyl material. Scrim will last you MUCH longer because it's more durable. I believe we typically used an 11mil or 13mil scrim banner substrate, and we quoted them as lasting at least 5-6 years. I think those numbers are accurate, it's been a while.
🙂
