Artwork files for graphic images and logos

Graphics, Artwork and Logos
Artwork for logos and graphic images fall into two main groupings - 

  • Raster, bitmap type files (eg.: jpg, bmp, png - some PDF) - these are generally photographic type images made up of pixels. The higher the resolution, the better quality the image and the smaller the pixel size.  These files are suited to printing. They are not suitable for engraving or casting purposes or for cut vinyl graphics.

  • Vector (curves/lines) (eg.: ai, eps, cdr, ps, pdf* see NOTE 2 below) files generally produced on dedicated graphics software these files are shapes formed by lines and are re-sizeable to any size without affecting the image quality.  All files for engraving and casting and for cut vinyl graphics graphics must be vector format. 

NOTE 1 - Home based publishing or photo editing software claim to export/save files to vector format but simply re-label the original file with new file extension (ai, eps, pdf). They do not create vector files. This is misleading and confusing. We would urge you to check with us before spending time creating designs using this type of software. These files are only suitable for printing.

NOTE 2 - PDF files are very commonly used but can be either raster or vector formatted depending on the software used to create them and the format of the original file. 

Files for engraving, casting and cut vinyl graphics

True vector (lines/curves/paths) artwork is required for production and if it is not available will need to be created in a suitable format at your cost. Suitable files should, if possible, be emailed with initial enquiries.
Required vector type file extension include:

  • eps or ps (transferable formats produced by most graphics software)
  • ai (Adobe Illustrator)
  • PDF vector (see Note 2 above)
  • cdr (Corel Draw)

If you do not have vector (line/curves/paths) art type vector files it would be best to submit the file for us to assess suitability or what might be involved in creating suitable a vector file. 

Files for printing
It is possible to print from most raster/bitmap (photographic) type files but the results will only be as good as the file provided. Low quality, low resolution files are not suited to large format printing where images are blown up in size much beyond a normal photograph.  You can check image quality by zooming in on it on your computer screen to get some idea of how it might reproduce at expanded size.

 

Emailing Files

Please ensure all files sent by email are attached to the email as a separate, stand-alone file and not embedded into the text/body of the email.

Internet Files 

Unless Internet images are downloaded from a reputable website and in the correct format the quality is usually very poor and not suitable for large format reproduction.  We cannot reproduce suitable artwork from images on business cards.