Designing BIG things - what do I need to know?

[theotherrachel]

I have just been asked to design a vertical 84" x 31.5" banner to accompany a nonprofit org's resource table at various events.

This is my first time designing something so large. They asked me if I can handle it and I want to make sure I can...is there any specific advice or any existing web resources that can help me make the transition from standard page design to creating something much larger?

Thanks in advance!

[scratchmarc]

Just to give you an idea:

http://www.pbp1.com/products/pm/apartment-marketing/vertical-banners.asp

~marc

[theotherrachel]

Thanks for that...I see that they don't really have photos, and that brings up a more specific question.

What kind of resolution/file size are we talking to fit such a large format? My client says "oh yeah, we want photos" meanwhile nothing their photographer shoots is larger than like 2-3 MB and there's no way that's big enough, right? What do you do if you wanna use photos on these things?

[Mynock]

Talk to your printer, talk to your printer, oh and talk to your printer.

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2245
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46

[PrintDriver]

Talk to your printer.

<3feet by 7feet is not actually very large in large format world.
Depends what your printer is using to print on as to what your resolution should be. Could be anywhere from 35dpi to 200dpi. (if they say anything less than 100dpi on something this small with images, run away).

As for images, you pay for them. Usually through the nose. You aren't going to find them in digital pennystock sites. And a digicam less than 7mp isn't going to help you on this banner. And that isn't even for full coverage. A full coverage image is going to run between 100 and 400 megabytes.

Ask what you need for bleeds.

Do you know how it is being hung? grommets? pipe pockets? You need to know this info to ask on the bleeds.

Do you know the material? is it being hot-knifed, welded or stitched to do the hems?
You need to know this to ask on the bleeds.

If it is being stitched for pipe pockets, do you know the size of the pipe? You really want to try to avoid having text run where the stitch line will go. A 1" pipe requires a 2" fold back. You also want to avoid the stitching for the foldback on grommets. (You also want to avoid the grommets. :D)

Is it going outside? Do you need wind slits? (you won't if it's down low like on a table front. But I've seen banners take out quicksetup tents and canopies.

[theotherrachel]

Hey PrintDriver

It's this: http://www.siegeldisplay.com/productDetail.aspx?id=T6712-60639
I'm pretty sure they said 6" bleeds, does that sound right? I don't think it's meant to go outside but I will ask them.

But I figured as much about the images, thanks for the confirmation. I will let my client know that.

Bottom line I will ask the printer for design specs. But thank you for the help!

[PrintDriver]

Oh, a banner stand. No wind slits even outdoors.

6" bleeds cover all eventualities and definitely ask the company doing the printing but I would hazard a guess you only need 6" top and bottom.

I don't think you can hem an edge in a roll-up banner stand. Don't really know. I don't use them.

The sides look hot-knifed if fabric, or just cut flush if vinyl. You would only need 1/2" on the sides for hot-knifing. Some of my vendors prefer nothing at all so they can cut to color.
Best to ask though.

[Broacher]

You could also try consulting your SPAM folder. Seems to me that there's an awful lot of those with subject lines advising about how to make things big and bigger.

[weprintyouprofit.com]

Hi There! Sounds like you're working on a banner stand? We print lots of big banners and signs and vinyl daily. Your sizes actually are not that big. You'll want to shoot for 100 DPI at finished size. You really don't need more. You can get away with 75 if you need to. Our (and most large and grand format printers) machines rip at 600 dpi and print at 600 but don't need more than 100dpi of data going in to produce a really sharp image. PM or email me if you have further questions. -Rick

[PrintDriver]

Broacher, I don't think those products work on image resolution... :P
Unless maybe it is a self-image problem...

[Broacher]

And speaking of high rez image resolution, what about this recent NY Times story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/business/media/22porn.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin