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destill · 04-04-2007, 05:12

I've gotta design an exhibition banner that will be 3m x 2m in size. My question is, if i design at 300dpi, then what size should i work at within photoshop so that when its blown up it will still look ok?

Thanks!

emil · 04-04-2007, 05:29

ask your printer

steveb · 04-04-2007, 05:36

...who will say 450 dpi is fine. Don't forget that the banner is intended for viewing at a distance of several metres, so any little jaggies or faults hardly matter.
(Been there, done that!)

Limbo · 04-04-2007, 05:41

At that size, personally I'd go as high as possible... 600dpi@25%... Does it include raster images..?

If not use a vector illi - then your resolution won't matter.

steveb · 04-04-2007, 05:44

There really isn't any need to go that high, Limbo, believe me. All you do is create an extra enormous file which takes ages to rip and commercial printers have more to do than watch the second hand spin round on their desktops.
I used to print this sort of large scale stuff myself, see?

Limbo · 04-04-2007, 06:25

I suppose it depends on your printer. I have used lower res images for large format projects and been disappointed at the end result. Not really my concern if it takes a little longer for the printer to rip it.

adpitch · 04-04-2007, 06:53

Ask your printer. For that size 300 DPI ant 1:5 size will be probably OK. Steveb is right. Sometimes, even if you provide the highest possible resolution, the printer guys will have to reduce the size (if they need to deliver all actual printing jobs in a full day).
Take also into consideration the image content and the average distance the banner will be viewed.

hello · 04-05-2007, 04:41

I've just done some 12 Metre billboards and the printer's requirements were 1:20 at minimum 300dpi, so I was looking at about a 60cm wide artboard size for 12m finished size. As mentioned above, first call is always to the printers.

jimt · 10-05-2007, 08:39

Unless people are going to be looking at this banner really close up you don't need it to be 300ppi. 3m x 2m I'm guessing optimum viewing distance around 20+ metres? Even 150ppi would be more than enough.

Also I expect that you can design it at any scale you want, just tell the printer the scale. (worth having a converstion with them first though just to check).

04-04-2007, 05:12	#1 (permalink)
destill proper chavin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 76	Designing for massive banner - help I've gotta design an exhibition banner that will be 3m x 2m in size. My question is, if i design at 300dpi, then what size should i work at within photoshop so that when its blown up it will still look ok? Thanks!

04-04-2007, 05:29	#2 (permalink)
emil dt immigrant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bucharest - Romania Posts: 6,994	ask your printer __________________ Tourism Q X R

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04-04-2007, 05:36	#3 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,934	...who will say 450 dpi is fine. Don't forget that the banner is intended for viewing at a distance of several metres, so any little jaggies or faults hardly matter. (Been there, done that!)

04-04-2007, 05:41	#4 (permalink)
Limbo Baskin' Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5,619	At that size, personally I'd go as high as possible... 600dpi@25%... Does it include raster images..? If not use a vector illi - then your resolution won't matter.

04-04-2007, 05:44	#5 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,934	There really isn't any need to go that high, Limbo, believe me. All you do is create an extra enormous file which takes ages to rip and commercial printers have more to do than watch the second hand spin round on their desktops. I used to print this sort of large scale stuff myself, see?

04-04-2007, 06:25	#6 (permalink)
Limbo Baskin' Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5,619	I suppose it depends on your printer. I have used lower res images for large format projects and been disappointed at the end result. Not really my concern if it takes a little longer for the printer to rip it.

04-04-2007, 06:53	#7 (permalink)
adpitch Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 279	Ask your printer. For that size 300 DPI ant 1:5 size will be probably OK. Steveb is right. Sometimes, even if you provide the highest possible resolution, the printer guys will have to reduce the size (if they need to deliver all actual printing jobs in a full day). Take also into consideration the image content and the average distance the banner will be viewed.

04-05-2007, 04:41	#8 (permalink)
hello Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 21	I've just done some 12 Metre billboards and the printer's requirements were 1:20 at minimum 300dpi, so I was looking at about a 60cm wide artboard size for 12m finished size. As mentioned above, first call is always to the printers.

10-05-2007, 08:39	#9 (permalink)
jimt Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3	Unless people are going to be looking at this banner really close up you don't need it to be 300ppi. 3m x 2m I'm guessing optimum viewing distance around 20+ metres? Even 150ppi would be more than enough. Also I expect that you can design it at any scale you want, just tell the printer the scale. (worth having a converstion with them first though just to check).

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