FAQs

A 6 color CMYK +LC +LM does not match SWOP inks exactly, so output is not identical to what comes from offset printing.  Pantone (PMS) color matches are not guaranteed, but the color range SpeedPro can reproduce is within 95% of the CMYK Pantone standards.  If PMS colors are critical, SpeedPro offers process color matches within 90-100% of specified colors.  SpeedPro recommends hard proofs which can be requested and produced at a nominal fee.

To obtain a quote please contact us at 610.696.3568.

You will see a Red file upload button on the Right-hand side of our Web Page.  You can also directly upload files using www.wetransfer.com.

Glossy finish lamination tends to make prints look more vibrant.  Matte and Luster finishes will prevent unwanted glare (important for trade show exhibits or backdrops being used on television or camera) but do not enhance color.

SpeedPro digital output is up to 6′ wide by 300′ long roll-fed and 4′ wide by 8′ long flatbed.  Output can be tiled to produce full color images any size.

Depending on the substrate used and extreme environmental conditions, SpeedPro produced graphics can last indefinitely under indoor conditions.  Outdoor applications, such as banners, can last several years, depending on finishing options like over laminates. All SpeedPro inks are UV-resistant.

A:  Operating System

We run Adobe Creative Cloud on PC and primarily print from .eps or .tiff files. For more information about how to set up your files, please reference our file format sheet.  We accept files in the following formats: .ai, .psd, .eps, .tif, .pdf, .jpg.  Please note that .pdf, and .jpg files cannot be edited.  Whenever possible, provide Windows Compatible files.

If you use any program but Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and cannot convert/export files to .EPS or .TIFF files, please convert to .PDF file. This typically includes Quark, InDesign, Corel, and miscellaneous sign programs.

Please build files as close to actual size as possible, or work in 1/2 or 1/4 scale of output size. It is not necessary to build files with extended bleed or crop marks. For best results, submit vector art and raster art in RGB or CMYK.

Font options

Convert all text to outlines or send all font sets included in file.  Please provide the highest resolution original versions of linked raster images.

We primarily request you convert all fonts to vector outlines or curves, depending on your program.

Feel free to send us the font files, in PC format.  MAC fonts are incompatible with our system and therefore will not work.

Image Sharpness

If your graphics are primarily logos, text, and shapes, vector line art .EPS files provide the sharpest images in large format.  Vector line art is based off x/y lines, curves and coordinates, you can enlarge the graphic as large as you like without losing resolution.

If your graphics are raster images (jpeg, tiff, bitmap, gif, etc.), please save files at 150-300dpi @ 100% file size for optimum clarity.  Size file proportionately if you need to scale the image down, ex: 150dpi @ 100% = 600dpi @ 25%.

Images copied/pasted off the internet typically do not work well for large format.

Banner and Banner Stands

If you would like us to stitch your banners, please leave a 1.25″ bleed.

If you would like us to stitch banner pole pockets, please follow these directions:

• 4″ extra material required for .5″-.75″ diameter pole
• 6″ extra material required for 1″ diameter pole
• 8″ extra material required for 1.5″ diameter pole
• 9.5″ extra material required for 2″ diameter pole

The bleed for a retractable banner stand can run up to 10” on the bottom, depending on the type of retractable you have.

Typical turnaround time on a standard project is 24-48 hours.  Projects of higher quantity or are more labor intensive require an estimated time of completion from SpeedPro.

SpeedPro uses PC Windows workstations but can accept Macintosh files as well.

Our printers can print up to 1440 x 1440 dpi, with standard print resolution of 720 x 720.

A: Full Color Printing

Exceptional clarity! Our digital printers give us the ability to print at up to 1440 dpi.  Our inks will last 3 to 4 years (un-laminated) outdoors without fading and are of archival quality indoors because they are solvent based, waterproof, and UV resistant.

Lamination

Lamination can add a whole new finish to your print. Make your signs glossy, matte, luster or textured.  A protective clear coat nearly doubles the life of your prints or signage for a very reasonable price.

Mounting

We can mount your graphics to any of our variety of materials such as foam boards, sheet styrene, aluminum, corrugated plastic, and more!  Just let us know what type of use you have, and we will help you select the mounting that is right for your project.

Finishing

We can provide a wide variety of finishing options on all orders including hems, banner grommets and poster board trim to name just a few!

 Graphic Design

Our in house graphics designers have experience in everything from simple banners to complex trade show displays and vehicle wraps.  Get amazing designs and prints!

Vehicle Graphic Installation

Our in-house installation team can wrap nearly any type of vehicle.  Our portfolio includes custom wraps for trucks, cars, RVs, boats, trailers, and fleet graphics.

Wall Graphic Installation

Wall graphics are very effective at building corporate identities and displaying logos.  They are easy to care for once they are installed.  Our installation team can put up logo graphics on your walls as large or as small as you need.

Decaling

Putting down decals such as door and window lettering is a breeze when you use our on-site installation.  Why settle for a decal that is wrinkled or not properly adhered?

Image Scanning & Clean-up

Some graphics simply will not produce a fantastic print straight away.  Our graphics team can clear up rough edges, alter many types of text, and modify your graphic exactly the way you need it.

Pantone Color Matching & Proofing

Your logo and brand identity is not up for discussion.  Match your exact shades with the Pantone Matching System.  We will create a print in miniature on the actual production material and printer for you to approve.

Rush Ordering

We know that sometimes graphics do not get approved on time or a million other hang ups – but that doesn’t mean you can miss a deadline.  Not to worry – we will have your prints in your hands when you need it without sacrificing the quality you have come to expect.

Contour Cutting

Graphics can be contour-cut by a dedicated computer plotter.  Cutting your graphic to a custom shape has never been easier.  A simple vector format outline (which we can create) allows us to trim your graphic with computer precision!  Decals and “Fat Heads” are examples of contour cutting.

Custom Job Request

We love a challenge.  If you have a project and have been told elsewhere that they do not know to do it or where to start, contact us and talk to one of our graphics specialists.

Gallery Wraps

Not only do we print on canvas, but we can wrap you print onto gallery wrap frames.

Stands/Displays

Wide array of banner stands including retractable, tension pole, telescopic, outdoor, economy displays, back walls, pop-up display, table throws and runners, table-top products, folding display panels, counters, linear display systems, orbital truss systems, literature racks and luminosity/display lighting.

Depending on the application, we use either the UV-curable, Latex, or Eco-solvent ink on one of our 3 printers.  UV-curable inks allow us to print directly on almost any surface – glass, carpet, ceiling tile, etc. Latex provides brilliant prints that dry instantly, and Eco-solvent based inks are aggressive and impregnate themselves into the media.  All 3 inks deliver a high quality, long lasting print with the most vibrant colors possible.

We start where most print shops leave off.  Although we have the ability to print the smaller sized graphic requests, we specialize in producing large graphics including vehicle wraps, trade show displays and exhibits, full color outdoor banners, and much more.

Media is the material that your graphic is printed on.  We print on many different types of media including banner material, adhesive backed vinyl, fabrics, backlit material, and many others.

Calendered Vinyl

General-purpose signs and graphics; moderate to good exterior durability.  Greater production yields equals less cost.  Stiffer/thicker film equals easier handling.  Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion.  Intended for flat, smooth opaque application surfaces.

Cast Vinyl

Designed for maximum outdoor durability and conformability.  Cast films also maintain their color and other properties better than other vinyl films.  Better performance of pigments and UV absorbers, less shrinkage.  Durability of cast films is generally higher than that of other vinyl films.  Cast films can be made very thin which produces a conformable product that allows application over substrates with rivets, corrugations, and complex curves.  Excellent for flat and irregular opaque application surfaces and vehicles.

Translucent

Formulated for illuminated signs and backlit displays.  Intended for flat rigid, flex face applications, and maximum light transmission.

Reflective

Ideally suited to safety and commercial signs or vehicle graphics that require viewing both day and night.

Mirror Finish

Silver and gold with a polished chrome, matte, brushed, or specialty-textured surface.

Etched Frosted

Simulates the appearance of etched or sandblasted glass on window fronts, entry doors, and partitions.

Banner

Durable, flexible, tear and fade resistant material will withstand most weather conditions.  Available in a variety of scrim, smooth, and mesh materials.  Thickness of film increases resistance to abrasion.

Specialty

Variety of specialty media such as photo paper, artist canvas, perforated window film, static cling, street & wall graphics & more.

No Adhesive

Banners, photo paper, poster paper, and artist canvas typically do not have any adhesive.

Changeable

Changeable films can be removed without any aids such as heat or chemicals and without leaving adhesive residue.

Repositionable

Repositionable graphics have a low-tack adhesive that leaves no residue and can be reused like “Fat Heads.”

Semi-permanent

Some semi-permanent films can be removed with the aid of heat only. Others may require chemicals or accessories. These films leave less than 30% adhesive residue that can also be removed. Vehicle wraps are semi-permanent.

Permanent

Permanent films are not designed to be removed. In some cases they can be removed, but with great difficulty and likely damage to the substrate. If they are removed, they may leave significant adhesive residue. Decals and signage typically use permanent adhesives.

Static Cling

Designed for short-term indoor window or mirror graphics where no adhesion is required. Static cling graphics are repositionable and reusable.

Magnetic

Magnetic signs and decals can be “stuck” to any ferrous material and moved.

Laminate is applied on top of media, and in many cases helps further protect the graphic from abuse.  We generally use a cold lamination film process and have a multitude of laminates, ranging from matte to high gloss that can be used depending on the use and application of the project.  We also use liquid laminates on certain applications such as wall coverings.

Gloss/Satin/Matte

Laminates provide a high level of UV protection.  They also protect prints from moisture and abrasion.  Laminates can also be used to enhance the depth of the image.

Dry Erase

Dry erase laminates can turn any sign into dry erase.  Great applications include menu boards, business presentations, and leader boards.

Anti-skid

Anti-skid laminates provide a slip-resistant surface on floor graphics.  (UL classified #4R93 for slip resistance)

Anti-graffiti

Anti-graffiti laminates provide excellent resistance to chemicals and solvents.  They allow for easy removal of graffiti.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate laminates provide scuff and UV resistance.  They also provide rigidity and durability to vinyl banners and decals.

Substrates consist of foam-core, gatorboard, MDO board, plexi-glass, alumacor, polystyrene, PVC, etc.  Your adhesive backed graphics are mounted to these types of materials to add strength and rigidity.

Corrugated Plastic “Coroplast”

Durable because it is water proof and resistant to stains and most chemicals.  At regular temperatures most oils, solvents, and water have no effect, allowing it to perform under adverse weather conditions or as a product component exposed to harsh chemicals.  Wide range of colors.  4mm is a common thickness; 10mm is very heavy and rigid.  Coroplast is a popular brand.

Foam Core

Extruded polystyrene foam core laminated on both sides with heavy white or black smooth coated paper.  Designed for interior mounting applications requiring rigid, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive material.  Typically, foam core is used for short-term usage as it dents readily and does not hold up well to certain glues, such as superglue and some paints.

Ultra Board

Heavy-duty, all-plastic panel that features a litho-grade, high-impact polystyrene surface for permanent displays and signs.  Ultra Board is designed primarily for interior use, but can be used outdoors, and it is durable.  Dent-resistant styrene liners are secured to the foam center with a bond that keeps the panel flat and rigid.  Moisture does not penetrate.

ACM (Aluminum Composite Material)

Solid or corrugated plastic core with aluminum laminated to both surfaces.  Extremely flat surface that will not warp or distort.  Excellent durability in outdoor applications.  Alumalite, Alumacor, Dibond, and Omega-bond are popular brand names.

Styrene

Extruded high impact material used primarily as an indoor panel or for outdoor usage up to 1 year.

Expanded PVC

Expanded PVC is lightweight, rigid board of moderately expanded closed-cell polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  Low gloss matte finish.  Will not rust, rot, peel, or absorb water.  Suitable for display, exhibit, interior, or exterior signage and for photo mounting.  Soften at about 150*F.  This means that you can easily heat up thin (3mm or thinner) pieces and mold as needed. Sintra is popular brand name.

Magnetic Sheeting

Permanent magnetic sheet used primarily in vehicle magnetic signs.  Vehicle magnetic signs are typically .030″ thick and 18″ x 24″.  However, the largest magnetic sheet available is 24″ x 50″.

Sign Board

Exterior grade wood products with a variety of aluminum, vinyl, or enamel surfaces. Excellent for exterior signage.

Acrylic

Lightweight, high optical quality, high impact strength, and excellent weather ability.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonates are lightweight, high impact strength and excellent weather ability.  They come in clear and white.  Primarily known by the trademarked names Lexan, Makrolon, Makroclear and are a particular group of thermoplastic polymers.  They are easily worked, molded, and thermoformed. Because of these properties, polycarbonates find many applications.  Ideal for backlit signage.