Set up your files so production can move without avoidable back-and-forth. This guide covers the artwork basics for custom signs, banners, decals, murals, and storefront graphics in San Jose and the surrounding South Bay.
Vector files stay sharp when a storefront logo becomes a wall sign, van graphic, window decal, or large banner. They are the best format for logos, lettering, icons, and flat-color artwork.
Raster files need enough pixels for the finished size. Aim for at least 150 DPI at final size for most signs; use 300 DPI for pieces people will inspect up close.
If this is all you have, send it anyway. We can review what is usable, explain any quality limits, and help decide whether redraw or cleanup makes sense. Contact us to discuss options.
Resolution matters any time your artwork contains photos, textures, screenshots, or flattened graphics. Vector artwork does not depend on resolution, which is why it is the better source for signs with crisp logos and lettering.
| Typical Viewing Distance | Minimum DPI | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Close-up (under 3 ft) | 300 DPI | Lobby signs, counter displays, labels, stickers |
| Mid-range (3–10 ft) | 150 DPI | A-frames, posters, menu boards, window graphics |
| Far distance (10+ ft) | 72–100 DPI | Large banners, wall graphics, exterior building signage |
Tip: Check resolution at the final print size, not just the file's native dimensions. A 300 DPI image at 2" wide becomes 75 DPI when it is enlarged to 8" wide.
Create artwork at the exact finished dimensions when possible. If the finished sign is 24" × 36", the document should be 24" × 36" before bleed is added.
Bleed is extra artwork that extends beyond the cut line. It protects the finished piece from unwanted white edges when a poster, decal, or panel is trimmed.
Keep important content, including text and logos, at least 0.25" away from the finished edge unless the design intentionally runs off the side. This is the safe zone.
Most printed signs are produced in CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Convert files from RGB to CMYK before sending them when you can, and expect some color shift from screen to print.
For brand colors, include Pantone (PMS) references or existing brand guidelines. Specify coated (C) or uncoated (U) references if you have them, and tell us where color accuracy matters most.
Convert live text to outlines, curves, or paths before submitting production files. That keeps the typography from changing if the file is opened on a system that does not have the same fonts installed.
Tip: Thin strokes, light weights, and fine serifs can disappear at small sizes, on textured surfaces, or on signs viewed from a moving car or busy sidewalk.
For contour-cut decals, routed panels, and custom-shaped signs, include a separate cut line layer:
Provide separate front and back files, or clearly label the layers in one file. Note whether the second side should match, differ, or be mirrored for inside-facing window graphics.
If you need multiple versions for different departments, storefronts, events, or service areas, include a spreadsheet with the variable text and mark where each field belongs.
For kiss-cut or die-cut stickers, provide artwork with a dedicated cut line. A 0.0625" (1/16") offset from the design edge is a useful starting point for many decal shapes.
Before you send artwork for production, check these items:
Upload your artwork through the project form and include notes about size, material, quantity, timing, and whether the sign needs installation in San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Milpitas, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, or Los Gatos. We will review the files and flag anything that could affect production planning.
If you have a logo, sketch, screenshot, or older file that is not production-ready, we can help turn it into usable artwork for signs, decals, banners, and painted graphics.
Learn more →Not sure whether your files will work? Send what you have, along with the finished size and where the sign will be used, and we will point out the practical production issues.
Contact us →Find quick answers about file prep, materials, turnaround planning, installation, and how to get a sign project started.
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