As with the previous items, I don’t have a production template despite going back and forth with the client several times to request one. The only information I have is that this is an L-shaped fabric media wall, with each side measuring 2935 mm W × 2418 mm H.
I’d like to ask about the production artwork.
In the absence of a production template, would you normally prepare:
one Illustrator file with two artboards (one panel per artboard),
two separate files (one panel each), or
one long artboard covering both panels (5870 mm + bleed)?
My current approach is one Illustrator file with two artboards, each with 50 mm bleed on all four sides.
My main concern is the inside corner where the two walls meet. Is there any common production practice for how that join is handled, and would that affect how the artwork should be supplied? For example, would you normally allow additional overlap, align the artwork in a particular way, or is it simply treated as two independent panels with standard bleed? Currently I’m just treating it as two independent panels with standard bleed
If you do not know how the walls go together, that question cannot be answered. Do you have a kit drawing of how the frame snaps together?
Does the wall curve the corner and go on like a pillowcase? Then it is one file for the front and one for the back. The amount of bleed could be up to 2”
Does the wall have two free-standing elements that are clamped together at the corner (or freestanding with a clamp top and bottom?) This could be two pillowcase frames or frames with face velcro. That is two files for the face and 2 files for the back. The amount of bleed needed could be 2 inches and the safety would depend on the attachment method. If Velcro, you want to avoid the stitching running through important content.
Are the walls SEG frames? Again those would be one file for each face, left, right, front and back. Bleed would be around 1” and the safeties are minimal as the stitching is not seen.
I wouldn’t proceed without the frame drawing at the very least.
Your project is a train wreck. The way you are being asked to do this is not how it’s supposed to be done in the professional world.
I know they said earlier they can’t say no at this point it’s mostly done.
At this stage, I’d complete the design as far as reasonably possible, package all of the design elements, and hand everything over. Without accurate technical specifications, you cannot prepare reliable production artwork or guarantee that the finished result will work as intended.
This should never have progressed this far without a confirmed template, dimensions, production requirements, and approval from whoever is manufacturing it. Continuing to make assumptions only increases the risk that you will be blamed for a production problem that was outside your control.
Send the files with a clear written qualification along the following lines:
“Please note that the supplied artwork has been prepared using the limited technical information currently available. As the final production specifications and an approved manufacturer’s template have not been provided, I cannot verify that the artwork is suitable for manufacture or accept responsibility for any fitting, alignment, positioning, finishing, or production issues. The client and appointed supplier must review the files, confirm the specifications, and make any production adjustments required before proceeding.”
