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Get Your Professional Signs Online with Trade Signs UK
Why Choose Our Signs Online Service?
- Correx boards for temporary displays
- Durable Foamex signs for long-term use
- Premium Dibond composite panels
- Eco-friendly PVC-free alternatives
- Custom acrylic cut letters
- Professional banners and displays
Artwork Supply rules
Our sign printing process is cutting edge, literally! so make sure your files are sent correctly to avoid expensive mistakes!
File format
Your file needs to be provided as a print ready PDF.
What we mean by “print ready” is that all steps are followed to ensure your artwork is supplied correctly for printing purposes.
Fonts
All fonts used in the design need to be converted to outlines/paths or be embedded within the PDF file. Obscure or software specific fonts i.e. Canva may not embed or print how they look on screen. Smallest font size recommended is 16pt.
Size
Your PDF file needs to be supplied at 100% size unless your banner is over 5m in length. you can then supply at 50% but specify it needs to be scaled in the filename.
Colours
We run CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Key) colourspace on all printers. Please ensure you convert colours from RGB or spot pantones to CMYK for best results.
Bleed and Trim
Your file needs have a 3mm Bleed on all sides. Do not supply external crop marks as our RIP will automatically deduct 3mm around the file for trimming.
Example: a 1000mm square sign will be 1006mm page size.
Quiet Zone
Similar to bleed, we recommend that all text and graphics are kept 10mm from all edges. Visually this “quiet Zone” looks better and avoids any issued with cutting through your design.
Image Resolution
We recommend an image resolution of 150dpi for general details, however anything around 100dpi for larger signs will be fine. Just consider your file size when uploading!
Cut to shapes
If you require a contour cut sign, we require a cut path vector on the top layer set to overprint and in the “CutContour” Pantone found in our finishing guide below. we recommend a max 50 nodes and to keep cuts simple shapes. fine details may not cut or break easily.
White ink
Some Acrylic signs require white ink either behind the graphics as full flood, or spot white, or as stand alone white print graphics. Please see our white ink supply guide for specs on this added service.
Check List
File supplied as PDF
Fonts converted to Path or embedded
Supplied at 100% scale
CMYK Colours supplied
3mm Bleed on all sides
10mm Quiet Zone on graphics
150-300 dpi images
Cut to shape pantone line if required
White ink layer pantone if required
IMPORTANT – Managing sign printing expectations
Large Format Signs and displays are designed to be viewed at a distance, (usually of at least 1-2 metres for POS and often from 5 metres plus for shop sign fascias and banners).
This means that images supplied for Large Format Sign products do not need the high resolution required for litho printed items. We recommend that you provide images for signs at a maximum of 150 dpi.
The reproduction of any image will not exactly match a litho print of the same image. This is due to the printing process and ink configurations for sign printers.
All products should be handled with care. Minor scratching and creasing can occur during production. Please remember that these products are intended for viewing at a distance; these minor scratches and creases are not visible at these distances. Soft materials such as PVC Foam (foamex) arrive supplied with minor blemishes and scratches from the factory, it can very easily dent and scratch so we do not guarantee against this.
Need Help Choosing the right Lamination?
Choosing the correct laminate can make or break your sign job.
We have a full range of high performance laminates for all occasions and applications.
Drytac – Weathershield Matte or Gloss:
High performance, polymeric PVC with UV stabilisers and absorbers.
Uses complex plasticisers resulting in significantly improved durability and weatherability.
Weathershield Matte or Gloss also has minimal shrinkage and odour.
Recommended for outdoor signage or high-end indoor graphic applications where the best protection is needed.
Recommended Uses:
We recommend this laminate for all dibond signs to protect the surface from scratches and UV bleaching.
As dibond is the board of choice for outdoor signs it is a great addition to protect your signs and extend their usable lifespan.
Outdoor Durability & Ratings
Weathershield films are outdoor durable for 7 years.
They also boast several fire ratings, making the films ideal to use in public spaces.
Drytac – Protac Scribe Drywipe:
High performance, PVC with Gloss finish designed for use with drywipe pens.
Also approved for food contact according to UK and EU regulations.
Durable laminate film with low shrinkage.
Recommended for protecting prints on foamex for use as a wipe erase board.
Recommended Uses:
We recommend this laminate for foamex boards used as a dry erase display, schedule board, year planners or maps.
Can easily be cleaned and written on multiple times with spacial dry erase markers. Not suitable for permanent pens or chalks.
Outdoor Durability & Ratings
not suitable for outdoor use.
Drytac – Protac Anti-Graffiti:
High Gloss Anti-Graffiti lamination film.
PET film with coating on the surface resists spray paint.
UV protection and low shrinkage laminate.
Recommended Uses:
Ideal for a variety of applications, including bus shelters, construction barricades and outdoor advertising locations in high traffic areas.
Protac anti-graffiti has a fire rating, making it perfect for applications in public areas that require compliance with strict fire regulations, such as airports, hotels and hospitals.
Outdoor Durability & Ratings
Fire rated BS 476 Part 7
outdoor durability of 5 years
What could happen if I choose wrong?
Making the right choice is important!
Opting to go for an inferior or cheap laminate could ruin your prints, especially when outside in weather and UV rays.
The example here shows just one year of use with an inferior quality, cheap calendared laminate PVC. The laminate shrinks and loses its adhesion properties resulting in large wrinkles and cracks.
Likewise opting for no lamination at all will increase the risk of scratches and colour bleaching dramatically
Trade Signs that don't
cost the Earth!
THE ONLY CHOICE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Get in touch
help@trade-signs.uk
A Signs Chippenham Ltd company
a part of the digiprint group
Unit B5 Ashville Court, Chippenham, SN14 0ZE