Preparing your artwork for roller banners

oller banners, also called pull-up banners, are printed in house on our large-format printer. Because they are read from a step or two away, the resolution is a little more forgiving than small print, but two banner-specific things matter: setting up at the full size with the right bleed, including the large bottom bleed that rolls into the base, and keeping your key content high and clear of the edges. Here is how to prepare your finished artwork.

File format

  • Supply a print-ready PDF, ideally PDF/X-4. It holds your text, shapes and colour setup reliably, which is why we ask for PDF rather than other formats.
  • Fonts embedded or outlined, so nothing reflows or substitutes on our system.
  • Keep text and logos as vector wherever you can, so they stay razor sharp at full size.

Size and bleed

  • Set your visible panel up at the full banner size. Our standard sizes are on the roller banners product page. For a custom size, email us.
  • Add bleed: 3mm on the top, left and right, and 150mm on the bottom.
  • The 150mm bottom bleed rolls into the base and is hidden, so keep logos and text well clear of it.
  • Keep your key content in the top two-thirds, at eye level, so it reads over people and exhibition tables, and a little in from the side edges.

Resolution

  • Aim for 300 ppi at the full banner size. We will accept as low as 150 ppi, since banners are viewed from a distance, but 300 gives the crispest result.
  • Vector text and logos stay sharp at any size, so this only really applies to photos and other raster images.
  • If your software struggles to work at full size, set the file up at a reduced scale with the ppi multiplied to match. For example, half size at 600 ppi equals 300 ppi at full size. Tell us the scale you have used.
  • Do not upscale a small photo to fill the space. It adds size but not detail.

Colour

  • Set your file to CMYK. This is what we print roller banners in.
  • If you supply RGB we will convert it, but bright RGB colours can shift a little.
  • Using Pantone or spot colours? Please convert them to CMYK before sending. We print CMYK and would convert them anyway, so converting them yourself keeps you in control of the result.

Your file checklist

  • Print-ready PDF (PDF/X-4)
  • Visible panel at full size, plus 3mm bleed top, left and right, and 150mm bottom
  • Fonts embedded or outlined
  • Photos ideally 300 ppi, 150 ppi minimum, at full size
  • CMYK colour, with any Pantones already converted to CMYK
  • Key content in the top two-thirds, clear of the bottom bleed and the edges

Sending your file

  • Banner files are usually large, so most people use a file-transfer service such as WeTransfer, then send a quick email to say it is on the way.
  • Smaller files (under 10 MB) can be emailed.
  • Local? Bring it in on a USB stick.

Proofs and approval

  • We send a PDF proof before we print, so you can check the layout and wording.
  • On-screen colour depends on your own monitor, so the proof confirms layout and content rather than an exact colour match.
  • Please check your proof carefully. Anything you approve is what we print, errors included. You are also confirming you hold the rights to any images or logos used. Approval is given in writing and is contractually binding for the work. Full details are in our terms and conditions.

Turnaround

Usually 4 to 5 working days from proof approval.

If we come back to you, it is usually one of these

  • Photos are low-resolution, below 150 ppi at the full size.
  • The file is RGB, or has Pantones that will shift when converted to CMYK.
  • Important content sits in the bottom bleed or too close to an edge.
  • Fonts are not embedded or outlined, so text could reflow or substitute.