Art Upload Guidelines
Ready to Upload your artwork? Here is your step-by-step guide.
1. Download
Locate the template for your art. Click downloads under the items product samples. If the template is unavailable, email us at info@airbornevisuals.com
2. Create
Open the templates PDF in Illustrator, and scroll down to review the Graphic Design Guidelines (CMYK, Hi-Res at 100%, PDF file, Outlined fonts
3. Email
Click the “Upload Artwork Here” button found below. Enter your email address and then simply drag, drop and send your art files.
4. Approval
You will receive an eProof within 1-3 business days. Review carefully for errors. Approve as soon as possible to move the order to production.
5. Production
When the eProof is approved, your order will move into production. If you have an event deadline, please inform us of any in-hands delivery date.
6. Shipping
Your orders delivery times vary based on location and methods. If necessary, you may add a production Rush and/or expedited shipping.
GRAPHIC DESIGN GUIDELINES
We recommend the use of our provided templates whenever available.
Requested File Formats: PDF format saved as hi-resolution (no template or crops marks) 
Other File Formats that also work but are not preferred:
- Adobe Illustrator®: .eps or .ai files
- Adobe Photoshop®: .psd or .eps files, or .tif with lzw compression for large files
Color Matching:
- Images should be saved in CMYK color mode. (?)
- Provide color matching information with your art files. If you provide us with embedded Coated Pantone® color,
we will match defined colors as closely as possible (Additional fees may apply). 100% reproduction of defined colors
(PANTONE®, RAL®) is not guaranteed. - If you are concerned about color matching, we recommend printing a sample at additional cost and production time.
You may also send a color copy, proof, or color chip for us to match. - Please note that eProof does not provided accurate color representation.
Image Size:
- Proportions of the art should match the desired final print size.
- Include appropriate bleed around perimeter. (Use provided template when available.)
- We recommend that files be saved at 100-125 dpi at final print size. (?)
- Resolutions below 100 dpi may yield less than optimal results.
Image Effects:
- Define colors as a percentage of spot color when appropriate to image.
- Convert all fonts to outlines and/or rasterize type layers. (?)
Electronic Proof:
- A low-resolution e-proof will be provided as verification of content and placement only.
It should not be used to evaluate color and resolution. Image defects may not be visible unless
the original is viewed at 100 percent.
Mural Displays:
- Mural files must be built in one single layout.
- Minimize the amount of type crossing over panel breaks.
- Some panels, such as end panels, may not be fully visible from the front
Duo h-line Graphics Layout:
- Due to the greater complexity of creating artwork for the h-line modular exhibit systems, we will need to create custom templates based on approved exhibit design/configuration.
Along with these templates, a complete set of instructions will be provided on how to layout graphics properly.
Rich Black / Regular (True) Black:
When designing your art, if you have your standard black color set to
C 0%, M 0%, Y 0%, K 100% your black may come off a little different than expected.
It will lose its richness and not be true dark black. To get a rich black use the following:
C 75%, M 75%Y 75%,K 100%
Your exhibit is a direct reflection of your company.
Most exhibit layouts are based around 6 major functions:
Brand Messaging
Your exhibit is often just a carrier for graphics. Graphics get visitors’ attention, create a mood and communicate a message and benefit, while identifying products and services.
Live Presentations
You may need seating, a raised platform for presenters, and audio/visual technology, such as a plasma screen, ranging from intimate seating for two to theater seating for dozens—or more.
Storage
You’ve got a lot of stuff to hide inside tables and closets: literature, giveaways, staffers’ bags, purses, planners and coats. Best of all: a place to store all those leads you’re taking.
Lead Gathering
Your staff will need a place to gather leads. Larger exhibits may have a dedicated reception counter, and even make use of our TV modules with Counter attachments.
Product Display
Big or little, you can display products on kiosks, pedestals, tables, shelving, and merchandising accessories. Consider bringing only your biggest sellers or your key new products.
Meetings
Do you exhibit at shows to get lots of one-on-one time with key customers, and clients? Depending on your discussions, you may want open, or private meeting spaces.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• What is the difference between raster and vector?
Raster art includes digital photography and is made up of defined pixels (tiny dots of color).
Because there’s a fixed number of pixels in the artwork, it cannot be enlarged without becoming pixelated or blurry.
Vector art is made up of lines and shapes defined by equations. It’s created mathematically, so it can be enlarged endlessly without any degradation.
Why do we prefer vector? We’re printing large items! Vector artwork helps us guarantee crisp, clear prints with no pixelation. (We know sometimes you’ll prefer to use raster art, like when you include a photo in your design. That’s why we ask for high resolution photos.)
• How do I check my file’s resolution (dpi)?
In Illustrator®: Effect > Document Raster Effects Settings…
In Photoshop®: Image > Image Size
Note: Be sure to check both the Document Size and the Resolution when you’re working with raster images.
The final artwork must be 100 dpi at full print size, so if your final print is 30″ x 96″, that’s 3000 x 9600 pixels.
• How do I make sure my file is CMYK?
In Illustrator®: File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color
In Photoshop®: Image > Mode > CMYK Color
What does this mean? RGB (red, green, blue) is the color output of your monitor, but CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black)
is the color output of most printers, and they don’t mix in exactly the same ways or make all the same colors.
By setting your document to CMYK for us, you avoid any undesirable color shifts when we send it to the printer.
• How do I outline or rasterize fonts?
In Illustrator®: Type > Create Outlines
In Photoshop®: Layers > Rasterize > Type
Note: After outlining text, you will no longer be able to type or edit the text.
This should be done only when you are finished making changes.
Why do we ask you to do this? Our printers don’t have access to every font you or your designer may have on your computer.
By changing the type into an image, you ensure that we’ll be able to reproduce it exactly the way it looks in your design.
