File Prep Guidelines For Printing

For artwork designed for our solvent printer for outdoor durable printing applications, we generally recommend a resolution of 150 DPI/PPI at full size. This means that if you want the print to be 18" x 24", the resolution should be 150 at this size. If you design the artwork at 9" x 12", and want it to end up being 18" x 24", the resolution needs to be twice as high (i.e. 300 DPI)

For artwork designed for our aqueous printer for indoor printing applications, photographic artwork will benefit from a resolution of 200 to 250 DPI/PPI at full size.

We can accept AI, EPS, PSD, PDF, TIF, and JPEG files. If a TIF file, please flatten by going to layers -> flatten.

We recommend embedding a CMYK color profile as appropriate, and converting all text to outlines. This can be done by selecting everything (CTRL-A) and going to font/type -> convert text to outlines. This is usually only applicable if the file is an AI, EPS, or PSD.

Moss Muscle Mustang Project

This project included a combination of small, detail rich, black vinyl lettering and Controltac printing a solid black color to achieve a "dual tone" color combination for the car. Controltac was used for this part of the project, instead of black vinyl, because of its superior flexibility, which was required in order to wrap the material around curved sections of the car.


(Front before)


(Front after)


(Back before)


(Back after)


(Company name / website)


(Detailed vinyl lettering)

Pandora Architectural Signage

Although we specialize in large format printing, we can also create more traditional architectural signage including sandblasted blade signs and dimensional letter projects. Here we used two MDO backboards and dimensional letters to create sophisticated signs for the new Pandora jewelry store in the Paseo Nuevo shopping mall, located in downtown Santa Barbara.


(Front view of the two signs)


(Closeup)


(Side view)

Dramatic Wallpaper Mural

We printed this custom wallpaper mural on three pieces of rough wallpaper, which was then installed by Gary James Paperhanging. The Reagan Ranch Center was thrilled with the final results and said that everyone loves the larger-than-life wallpaper map.


(View of the wallpaper mural from the staircase)


(Closeup of a section of the wallpaper mural)


(View of the wallpaper mural from the side)

Katwalk Blade Sign and Dimensional Letters

We recently completed a complete architectural signage project for Katwalk, located in downtown Santa Barbara. The company also had us permit the signage through the City of Santa Barbara. Here are some pictures of the final result:


(Acrylic dimensional letters)


(Sandblasted blade sign with custom bracket)


(both the dimensional letters and the sandblasted blade sign)

Making Signs Is A Dirty Job

We recently wrapped a porta potty in custom graphics for a wedding in Santa Barbara. We were contacted by an event management company out of New York that put together the wedding plans, and they asked if we could wrap the bathroom in custom graphics, similar to a vehicle ad wrap.



The graphics were printed on a Busmark material using our Mimaki JV-3 Digital Screenprinter. This process is ideal for temporary projects which will be up for less than one year, and is quite cost effective.



The graphics came out great and the installation allowed us to fine tune the measurements to achieve a perfect fit. The bamboo images created the perfect atmosphere for the upscale portable bathroom.

Pipeline Cab Co. - Partial Vehicle Wrap

All of our projects have unique challenges that we enjoy, but this particular vehicle wrap was just plain fun! Everyone at the shop was talking about how great the cab looked once we were done, and the owner loved the final result.

Bill Schoneberger of Clear Concepts Communication did the design for the wave and overall layout, based on the artwork of Tomac Henson of Epik Ink Tattoo. We tweaked the design to fit the Prius, and created separate cut files for the two layers of vinyl lettering.


(Here is a side view of the cab, before the white reflective vinyl has been applied.)

The first layer of cut vinyl was the black background for "Pipeline Cab Co.", followed by white reflective vinyl to make sure the cab name is visible at night.


(Here is a shot of the cab side, as we apply the white reflective vinyl on top of the black vinyl background.)

Agile RF - Tradeshow Pop Up

We recently completed a project for Agile RF, a wireless technology company located in Goleta. The pop up display is lightweight and collapsible, making it easy to transport to different trade show locations across the country.



The frame is made of lightweight aluminum and can be completely collapsed. Two lamps were included with the package which help make the graphics "pop."



The included soft case can be upgraded to a hard shell case from the same manufacturer, which is recommended for shipping or checking the display at the airport.

Santa Barbara Zoo - Store Branding Project

We recently completed an extensive branding and point-of-purchase signage project for the Santa Barbara Zoo. The new store has a dramatic round overhead sign and wall posters as well.



The overhead cylinder frame was fabricated from square aluminum tubing and then powder coated. It breaks down for shipping, moving through doors, etc. We printed the images on 3M Controltac and mounted the laminated images on 3mm sheet PVC.



The inside and outside image sets, although similar, actually are different widths to accomodate the differing circle circumferences.



The PVC panels were installed to the frame on site and the entire assembly hoisted to the ceiling joists for attachment.



The world map was also printed on Controltac, laminated and applied to a single piece of sheet steel to provide a magnetic-receptive surface.



Next time you're on top of the hill by the elephants, check out the new store!

Santa Barbara Zoo - Vehicle Graphics

We recently finished wrapping the Santa Barbara Zoo's passenger van: full wrap on the sides and rear doors, decals on the front doors and hood, plus perforated vinyl on the rear and side windows.



The graphics were printed on our workhorse Mimaki JV3 solvent printer on 3M Controltac and laminated with 3M 8519 cast laminate(for best wrapping); the rear and side windows were covered with Clear Focus perforated window vinyl - the graphics look great and you can still see out.



Some of the graphics, such as the condor and palm tree on the rear, were printed separately and applied last for best alignment.