Poster Printing

Printing Posters

Printing a poster is a tricky yet essential step in making a poster. The file type and parameters, paper size and type, printing method used and experience of the printing company all play important factors in achieving the desired product. Since posters are large and put on display, they need to be as flawless as possible. If there is something out of proportion, for instance, on the digital print, it will be magnified in the final product, thus detracting from the poster’s message.

Color Poster Printing

Color printing can be tricky because the color you see on the computer screen may not be the same hue that prints out on any particular surface. Color mode is an important parameter to pay attention to, as it determines how the digital device reads and interprets the file. There are color modes for on screen viewing and others for printing. When designing the poster, one should use an onscreen color mode, such as RGB. When sending a poster off for printing, the mode should be changed to the appropriate printing color mode. If you choose to have your poster printed with four colors, then the file must be in CMYK mode (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). For one color, black and white printing, grayscale is the appropriate mode. Printing companies sometimes have very specific rules which need to be followed when submitting a file to be printed. Make sure to carefully follow these guidelines to avoid wasting time and money.

Large Format Poster Printing

If you need to print a poster as one piece and do not have a printer large enough, then printing the poster professionally is the best option. The staff can help make sure the poster prints correctly, e.g. the print lines up properly on the printed surface. There are also a great variety of materials on which you can have your poster printed on, which can be found at companies online or locally. An important consideration when printing a large poster is the resolution of the digital print. If the resolution of the print is too low, enlarging the picture will make it look pixilated. Also, if the poster is incorrectly scaled up, then the picture will be out of proportion: it will look stretched. Using the proper file parameters and printing software is essential for getting good and efficient results. When printing large posters, it is very helpful to get a quote. Many printers charge by the material used and the area of the final print. The inches add up quickly, as does the price.