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1. Can
I see what my ad will look like on a Truck before I buy it?
Yes!
Click here to use our visualization
tool. You will be asked to search for a graphic on your computer to
see what it looks like on the side of 8 types of trucks. File size max:
3mb.
2. My banner
size needs to be exact and cannot be rounded to the nearest inch. Can
I specify fractional dimensions?
Yes. We recognize
banners with our frame system need to be an exact size. Our easy order
system lets you specify the banner size to within 1/8 of an inch, with
a tolerance in overall size of + or - 1/4". This will give you enough
accuracy to make small adjustments in frame location on the truck, prior
to installation. You should be able to use whole numbers and not fractions,
if covering the entire side of the truck is not important.
Fractions for 1/8"
Increments:
1/8" = .125
1/4" = .250
3/8" = .375
7/8" = .875
1/2" = .500
5/8" = .625
3/4" = .750
Example:
If
your banner is 88-3/16" high x 97-5/8" wide, round it to the nearest
1/8" by keying in the following: 88.250 high (88-1/4") x 97.625 (97-5/8")
wide. Your banner will be this size with a tolerance of + or - 1/4".
Note:
If you don't
key in the correct fraction of an inch, don't worry. The order form
will automatically round the dimension "up" to the nearest 1/8".
3. How
do I get my graphic files to TRUCK ADS®?
The method
for sending files to TRUCK ADS® is easy! You will be prompted to upload
them when you place your order. (You have the option to upload then
or later - see below.) Our upload file system is one of the easiest,
strongest and most reliable systems you will ever use. Simply browse
your computer for the file and then click upload. It is that easy! No
user ID's or passwords to type in and your files are never visible to
the public after uploading them because your upload page is uniquely
yours to use. No one else has access to it.
Our upload system is capable of handling 2 gigabytes of graphic files
in one session, while maintaining a strong connection with your computer.
Your graphics will likely be in the range of 20mb to 450mb per file.
This is a small fraction of our 2gb capabilities, so you'll never need
to worry about the size of your files causing a problem while uploading
to our servers.
If your files aren't ready when you order, or you plan to have someone
else upload your files (your graphic artist, etc.), you can easily upload
them later. With your email order confirmation, you'll receive a link
to YOUR UNIQUE UPLOAD PAGE, where you can upload your files at a later
date - when you are ready.
4. What
resolution do I need to make my files, so TRUCK ADS® can print continuous
tone, high resolution banners from Photoshop files?
In order for
your graphic to look great, your designer needs to create the graphic
files at 300 dpi at 1/12 scale with 1/8" of bleed. Note: Your graphic
file should print well, if it equals 1mb per square foot of banner size.
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YOUR
TRUCKS
WILL LOOK THIS GOOD! |
5. Can
I order banners printed on both sides?
Yes. When
you place your order for a banner printed on both sides, simply order
2 banners instead of one and add a note to the order that you want the
image on both sides. In this circumstance, we print 2 banners and hem
them together, back to back. Unless noted by you in your order, the
same image will be printed on both sides. (finished weight is 24 ounce
per sq. yd.)
6. Should
I include my fonts?
Yes. Chances
are we will have them, but why risk it. If you are using a vector program
like Illustrator or Freehand, you can convert the text to outlines and
avoid any font issues.
Please stuff
all fonts before uploading.
7. Should
I send RGB or CMYK files?
We use CMYK
color space.
8. What
file types do you accept and what guidelines and tips do you have for
specific graphic programs?
We accept
many file types - Mac or PC. The applications that produce the most
accurate results in the order of preference, are the traditional graphics
programs: PDF, Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand and InDesign.
PDF (Fast and Easy)
We prefer PDF's as they simplify our
workflow and they are easy to construct by the customer. People who
do not like the quality of the PDFs they create are not creating them
properly. When creating a PDF for print, always follow these three rules:
(A.) Do not down sample or compress anything. Uncheck all of the boxes
in this area. (B.) Embed all fonts and subsets. (C.) Leave
color AS IS. Do not let Distiller or the application you might be using
convert colors while making the PDF. Leave all colors untouched!
The minimum height or width dimension of a PDF file should
be 10" or more. See an example of a PDF
file size (10.25"
x 20.25") and the resulting
finished file
for a 10.25' H x 20.25' L banner.
Quark
Quark creates vector graphics therefore any
graphics created in Quark will print well at any size. Any raster graphics
or photos brought into Quark need to be at least 1 megabyte per square
foot for the size it will be on the final banner. For example: If a
graphic will be 12”x24” on a banner, that is 2 square feet, so an uncompressed
file that is about 2 megabytes will print well. Since there is a 48”
limitation in files created in Quark, you may have to make the file
at 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/12 or 1/24 size depending on the final size of the
banner.
When the file is ready to print, select "File" > "Collect for Output"
so that all the images and fonts used in your document will be sent
with the file. It is recommended to check the Pictures and Fonts folders
that are created by this process to make sure that nothing is missing.
Photoshop
Photoshop is a raster program and raster images
scale poorly. Taking an existing low resolution file and increasing
the dpi does not increase the real resolution of the file. You will
just end up with a large file that is still low resolution. It is best
to create a new file in Photoshop at 1/4 scale or smaller at 300 dpi.
Anything created in Photoshop at that size will print well. Any raster
graphics brought into Photoshop need to be at least 1 megabyte per square
foot for the size it will be on the final banner. For example: If a
graphic will be 24”x24” on a banner, that is 4 square feet, so an uncompressed
file that is about 4 megabytes will print well. Any vector files brought
into Photoshop will need to be rastered using this same formula.
Save all Photoshop files as PSD files!
Illustrator and Freehand
Illustrator creates vector graphics, therefore
any graphics created in Illustrator will print well at any size. Any
raster graphics or photos brought into Illustrator need to be at least
1 megabyte per square foot for the size it will be on the final banner.
For example: If a graphic will be 24”x36” on a banner, that is 6 square
feet, so an uncompressed file that is about 6 megabytes will print well.
If any images are linked, you will need to send the photos with your
Illustrator file. Do not embed the photo files into the Illustrator
file. As the last step, please create outlines (Select>All / Type>Create
Outlines) in case we don’t.
InDesign
InDesign creates vector graphics therefore
any graphics created in this program will print well at any size. Any
raster graphics or photos will need to be at least 1 megabyte per square
foot for the size it will be on the final banner. For example: If a
graphic will be 12”x24” on a banner, that is 2 square feet, so an uncompressed
file that is about 2 megabytes will print well.
When the file is ready to print, select "File" then "Package" so that
all the images and fonts used in your document will be sent with the
file. Or you can embed all graphics and store them in the file and you
can create outlines so that you don’t have to send the fonts with the
file. If you embed a graphic and then make a change to the original
graphic, you will need to re-link it so the change takes effect.
9. What
will my banners look like when finished?
Finished
banners have a high gloss finish and are printed at billboard quality
machine settings. Billboard quality banners when viewed from five feet
away or more appear about the same as magazine or newspaper copy viewed
from one foot away. For clarity and distance viewing, all printed copy
(letters and numbers) should be at least 2" high and higher.
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Depending
on its use, banners will either have a grommet every 2' or will
be trimmed to your specified size.
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| Grommet every 2
ft. |
Trimmed to Size
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10. How
long will my banner last?
Finished
banners with UV laminate will last longer than banners without UV laminate.
The inks will not fade on our banners for 2 or more years and the banners
will last much longer than that. If the banners are kept clean and parked
out of direct sunlight and changed out seasonally, they could last for
5 to 10 years.
11. What
kind of material is used for my AD?
TRUCK ADS® signage vinyl is manufactured by 3M®, Avery® and other quality
manufacturer's. Vinyl banners used with TRUCK ADS FRAME KITS is a heavy
duty 12 ounce vinyl with scrim. For brighter, smoother, best wear and
longevity, order banners with UV Laminate.
12. Are
my TRUCK ADS® banners guaranteed?
We cannot guarantee how successful your AD will be, however, we guarantee
the
banner ink for 2 years and we also
guarantee your banner will be clearly and professionally printed.
13. How
long does it take to get my TRUCK ADS® banners printed and shipped?
Standard turn around time for printing is 5 business
days. We schedule your job to ship 5 to 6 business days from the date
we receive ready to print art work.
Rush Production for Banners: If you need
your banners quick, choose rush production, "3 day" or "4 day" option
and "next day air". Total production and delivery time when choosing
rush options is 4-5 days or less. Rush service and rush shipping incur
an additional charge.
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FAQ
