You are reading this as you are about to produce designs for thisexpanding pop-up display system. Odyssey will require your detailed graphics file, saved on a drive type we support, complete with all fonts, details of final sizes required and a colour visual “run out” of your graphic for reference.

Please ensure that all information relevant to the stand arrive here in one consignment.

If this sounds complicated in the fact that many of your own departments could be involved and separate designers would have to be briefed about unfamiliar items, why not let Odyssey create the eyecatching stunning graphic with the right marketing message that will attract prospects across a crowded event space?
A thorough consultation and briefing can produce, for you, a resulting fantastic design that will impress you and  attract prospects alike. 
There will be no need to worry that there are production delays as files are passed between various parties.  No need to worry that bits of information may get mislaid.  No need to worry that  production deadlines may get reached.   At last but not least, the final quality product will fit the frame that it is intended for.

If once you’ve read what follows, please call graphics department on 01483 797771

We can accept files on the following transfer media:
 CD ROM & DVD, e-mail (max 1mb without prior discussion) and ftp (ftp://82.69.198.145 login: odyssey, password: online999 ). Please do not send your master copy of your artwork as we cannot be liable for artwork lost or damage in transit

Quark XPress versions up to 6.5 on Mac,

Quark is the industry standard for page layouts, but as its largest page size is 4ft (1220mm) it is necessary to scale your file, most typically to quarter size. Set up one file, sized for the complete graphics area.

InDesign versions up to CS2 on Pc and CS on Mac.

Files from InDesign can be prepared in original size.

Illustrator CS2 (PC), Illustrator CS (Mac), Freehand 9.0

The vector files produced in these programs are highly suitable as they can be scaled up to any size without degradation. Scanned documents placed in these files are still subject to quality loss when scaling and the original files must be created to enable a file size between 100 and 150 Dots per inch at the FINISHED output size. Do not use embedded scans 

Photoshop CS2 (PC), Photoshop CS (Mac) – is great for editing photos –but is not designed for preparing carefully sized print files

PDF files from Distiller or Acrobat 7.0 (PDF ver. 1.6)

If your documents contains transparency, please use EPS files instead of PDF

We can also accept files in  Corel Draw 11.0 (PC),

We use postscript ver. 3

Unsuitable Software:  Power point (files too small) 

Word or similar word processors (poor page layout control, inaccurate scaling, unsuitable fonts)

If however you cannot supply artwork in these formats, please contact us and we may be able to help.

Onlinedisplays use 3 printer resolutions dependent on the application

360dpi 6 colour prints (suitable for outdoor posters and display stands likely to be stored in moist conditions)

Note: for 360 dpi output we recommend your (pixel based tiff and similar)  files should be between 50 & 100dpi at finished print size, (e.g. if an A4 image needs to be 4 times the size printed at 50dpi, the original resolution of the A4 image would be 4 x 50dpi, i.e. 200dpi at A4).

600x1200 dpi, 6 and 8 colour prints:

Again it is fine for (tiff and similar) files to be between 50 & 100dpi at finished print size, however to achieve the best quality print aim for upwards of 100dpi.  Bear in mind it makes sense to vary the resolution of the different elements that make up the artwork, e.g. an overall background image on a 2m x 3m graphic can be 50dpi printed size, whilst smaller individual images can saved to print at a higher resolution.
This will ensure that you will not be faced with impossibly large files whilst designing.

Note: please do not supply low resolution images within your design for positioning. Always supply finished high resolution files ready for print

You may find that the file size often dictates the final resolution that can be achieved.
If you find yourself working with unmanageably large files an alternative rule of thumb is 15mb per m2.(15 meg per square meter)

Scans / Pictures:
Although higher resolution means improved quality much depends on the quality of the origination. The print process is working like a microscope any imperfections, poor origination, dust on the scanner, will quickly become obvious

35mm transparencies are normally only OK up to 0.5 square meters (750mmx 750mm).I 1 meg jpeg file from a good digital camera may stay sharp up to 1.5 x 1.5 meters)

 Please make sure scans are saved with a preview, normally in an TIFF or EPS file

Files should be converted to CMYK including Duotones, but not split for the 4 colour print process  

Fonts

If your job includes fonts to be printed, ensure they are included on your file or text is converted to outlines. Even the most popular fonts exist with minor variations which means the final print may not be as you intend if the original fonts are not submitted

Common Problems

Only screen fonts included, edited fonts not included, document inaccurately sized, no printed copy of the artwork received with your file. If we have no print out from the designer is available we cannot check accurately for, or be responsible for, missing or misplaced elements. In that situation we supply first a proof print, cost is £100 min for up to 1 square meter un-laminated, £130 laminated + £75/ hour for file editing 

Colour accuracy:

We print in 6 and 8 colours with latest technology large format digital inkjet, which though producing wonderful results does mean that we cannot directly print a solid pantone colour. Where a specific colour must match a pantone, specify the fact in writing with your file. As the printer does not work by mixing cyan, magenta, yellow and black, do not specify in cmyk. When colour matching remember that the (litho) printing, of say, your catalogue was not necessarily right to the original pantone requested – we can only colour match if given the right sample to match to, and matching one colour may effect less important colours in the file

1 colour match is free if no proof is required. Further colour matching or a proof is charged as above.

Saving Files (summary)

Documents can be set up, preferably, at 1/4 or 1/2 size (in pro).  All scaling and tiling is done by us.
Please ensure all related picture files are provided, as well as all fonts (both screen and postscript files).

These include all fonts used in Illustrator and Freehand EPS files unless already converted to outlines.
If you do not require a colour proof, please ensure that some form of hard copy (or pdf) is also provided.

If you have any problems or would like to discuss any graphics issues further please give us a call.

Design hints: (and getting the brief right)

A large graphic is at its most effective with 3 clear messages:

  “100metres away”. Use a message that “will attract all types” of potential client (normally it needs to be large and overall in nature)

  “50 metres away”. Use a message that “will reinforce the attraction to the right type attract  ” of potential client

  “3 metres away”. Use a message that “will hold the interest of the right type of potential client”. This message type can visually very small and detailed as we can print at 1200dpi

Remember that the end panels (of a pop up stand) curve away from the viewer and barely 40% is viewed from the front of the stand

Avoid splitting a face or other key feature over a panel join

Scan (or send us for scanning) only large format transparencies if featured across the whole stand. Scans to be over 100dpi at the finished output size, saved as TIFF or EPS, using cmyk settings but not split for 4 colour print process

FINALLY

Where we find minor artwork corrections are necessary to improve the quality of the finished job we will enact these. If more than – say- 30 minutes will be required we will approach the client concerning the cost before making the corrections. If time constraints (ie your imminent event) oblige us to edit and print without time for your approval of proof prints (or if you decline a proof) , minor variations from your brief that may result are not accepted as our responsibility , nor as a reason for the non acceptance of the job