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file formats

This page talks about the requirements for files if you're going to send me art-work. If you don't understand what I'm asking please forward it to your graphics person and they should be able to make sense of it.

Corel Draw X3 (.cdr) is the mainstay of my workflow but I have Adobe Illustrator CS3 (PC) in case you want to send me an Illustrator file (.ai). In a real pinch I can use Inkscape. If you don't have either Corel Draw or Illustrator, then the next best option is to export either a pdf or an eps file from the package you're using.

A vector file is strongly encouraged for the production of most signage. If necessary tracing will allow me to take your bitmap graphic and work with it as a large-scale signage project for example vehicle windows or doors. Bitmaps for small sticker projects don't generally present too many problems unless the quality of the source image is very, very poor or will become very poor if resized. I don't produce output that I'm not proud of. In some situations a really, really big detailed bitmap will work for signage, but usually the file size becomes far to large for practical purposes.

With regard to vector files, please make sure that you either embed the fonts you're using, or convert to curves any text before you send. Otherwise, if I don't have the fonts you're using, I won't be able to accurately read your file. If you want to check which fonts I have installed, please review the font-list PDF's in the 'Design Help' section.

It is very easy to believe that a bitmap imported into Corel Draw or Illustrator and then resaved/exported as a .cdr, .ai .pdf or .eps counts as a vector file. I'm afraid that it doesn't! It is no more a vector file than taking the engine out of a Mini, placing it in the body of a Ferrari and still calling the resulting vehicle a Ferrari - it just isn't. Please review my pages on tracing where the difference between a vector and bitmap file is described.

I do not guarantee accurate colour reproduction unless a vector graphic format with Pantone encoding - or Pantone reference numbers are supplied. I have yet to see a situation where the colour I output is significantly distant from what was required, but if accurate colour reproduction is required I will need exact Pantone numbers.