Large Format FAQ’s

Please also see Digital Print FAQ’s

If you are not sure about preparing your artwork to comply with our guidelines then please contact us for an artwork preparation or design quote, this will ensure that you get the best quality and hopefully do not miss any deadlines you may have

Here we have tried to list answers to some of the more frequently asked questions we get asked.

How do I place an order?
What forms of payment do you accept?
How do I send my files for printing?

How long do indoor prints last?
How long do outdoor prints last?
Why laminate prints?
What is the difference between the laminate options?

Why do I have to send my files at quarter size, surely the quality will be poor?
Is 3mm foamex thick enough for large panels?
What is the recommended board for outdoor permanent use?
I need display panels that are vandal resistant?
How do I fix my board mounted prints to a wall?
How do I fix my flexible indoor prints to a wall?
How do I hang my prints from the ceiling?


Q. How do I place an order?
A. The majority of our products can be ordered securely online and your files can be uploaded to your own online gallery during checkout. This is the preferred method as you will received confirmation and status emails automatically during the production process and when completed and despatched or ready to collect.

You can also email, fax or post written instructions of your requirements and confirm any prices taken from our website or printed pricelist. (We are happy to provide quotes on request if you are unsure about any costs). If you have been sent a quote please confirm the quote number. Please clearly state your name, contact details, delivery address and any deadlines you may be working to on your order. Include your images on CD or upload your file via our website.

We will then email you an order confirmation showing the final costs inc VAT and any delivery charges, and how to make payment. Unless you have already applied for and opened a credit account with us you will then need to send payment by cheque, call us with your credit card details
or pay using our secure online payment form.


Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
A. We accept all major credit and debit cards except Amercian Express, we also accept PayPal payments. Credit card payment is the quickest and safest method and can be paid by ordering online, or if ordering in any other way via our secure online payment page on receipt of our order confirmation. We also accept cheques, but if you do not have a trading history with us we would suggest posting a cheque with your order to give it time to clear before despatch or collection.

Once you have built up a trading history with us we will be happy to send you an account application form to apply for a 30 day trade account. Schools, Colleges and Government bodies need only to send an official written purchase order.


If you already have a credit account and would like to order online on account please simply register as normal, we will then upgrade your profile to allow on account ordering within 24-48 hours. If you need to place an urgent order, contact us to request that your profile be upgraded immediately.



Q. How do I send my files for printing?

A. The preferred and quickest option is to order online – you can then upload files to your personal gallery area during checkout, making subsequent checking and re-orders very easy. Or you can post a CD, or send via our upload files page. When sending work via upload always ZIP all your files in a folder with your name or company as the folder name. Enter your job requirements in the message box and include your full Name, Address and Telephone number. Please also add any quote number or job number you have been given to avoid any delays, as we cannot book in or process any work until we have received written instructions.

Q.
How long do indoor prints last?

A. This will depend totally on where they will be used. Exposure to UV light (daylight, especially sunlight) will cause ALL inks to fade eventually. Prints in bright rooms or shop windows will fade sooner than those in indoor conditions such as galleries and museums where there is little or no daylight.
However as a guide:

Dye inks –
HP8000 – high UV conditions = a few weeks to a few months
Dye inks – HP8000 – low UV conditions = months to many years
Vivera Pigment inks – HP Z6100 – high UV conditions = approx 1 year plus
Vivera Pigment inks – HP Z6100 – low UV conditions = up to 200 years
Pigment inks – Epson Ultrachrome – high UV conditions = approx 1 year plus
Pigment inks – Epson Ultrachrome – low UV conditions = up to 75 years

Low-solvent inks – HP 9000S – indoors = up to 75 years

Q.
How long do outdoor prints last?

A. Again this will depend totally on where they will be used. Exposure to UV light (daylight, especially sunlight) will cause ALL inks to fade eventually. Prints in very sunny locations will fade sooner than those where there is little or no sunlight.
However as a guide:
Low-solvent inks – HP 9000S – outdoors = up to 3 years

Q. Why laminate prints?
A. Laminating covers the print with a plastic layer that protects the print and will increase durability and help reduce fading

Q.
What is the difference between the laminate options?

A. We offer matt, gloss or crystal laminating options.
Matt and gloss are more economical. Gloss will enhance the bightness of the colors but is very reflective and can be hard to see under bright lights.

Matt is easier to see under lighting as it doesn’t reflect the same but can dull color slightly.
Crystal is an anti-glare, scratch resistant finish that enhances colors and increases durability. It does cost slightly more though – however 80% of our prints are crystal laminated.
We can laminate single sided or double sided. We can also leave a 5mm overlap all round to provide a sealed waterproof solution – this is also called encapsulation.

Q.
Why do I have to send my files at quarter size, surely the quality will
be poor?

A. As we print at sizes up to 1600mm x 15m it is unlikely that anyone could deal with the size of files generated following the same rules as in litho print. However, we have specialized in large format print for many years and believe us or not your prints will be very good quality if you follow our guidelines. Rather than get all involved explaining resolutions we advise you order a proof when you send in a job for print.
This is usually the whole image reduced down to A4 for color checking, however, if requested we can supply an A4 section of your design extracted and printed at the final size and enlargement. We can also apply the correct laminate
so you can check the colors at the same time. Remember that this is the only way of seeing EXACTLY what you will get.

Q.
Is 3mm foamex thick enough for large panels?

A. Foamex is an extruded plastic board, the standard stock size is 2440mm x 1220mm, we can also order up to 1500mm x 3000mm. At these sizes it will flex when carried, however, it lies flat when fixed onto a wall so is ideal for most indoor and many purposes. Even at 3mm it will weigh a good few Kgs, increasing to 5mm adds quickly to the overall weight and unless it is specifically required to be very rigid eg for fixing with ‘stand-off’ posts then 3mm is fine.

Q. What is the recommended board for outdoor permanent
use?

A. If a permanent outdoor solution is required we would suggest 3mm DiBond, a twin faced aluminium and composite board. This has to be pre-cut to size at the factory so please allow a few extra days when ordering.

Q. I need display panels that are vandal resistant?
A. We can supply our prints bonded into clear reinforced resin in either 3mm or 10mm thickness. This is ultra tough and durable and will resist most vandal damage so is ideal for information panels in public places. It is not ‘vandal proof’ as fire and attack with a very sharp object will cause damage, however it will resist most malicious attacks and can be cleaned and have minor scratched polished out.

Q.
How do I fix my board mounted prints to a wall?

A. Smaller panels can be fixed with self-adhesive velcro hook and loop tape. Bigger panels we suggest drilling and screw through – cover screw with our neat aluminum screw cap. For added effect we supply stand off post fixings which raise the print off the wall – handy on uneven walls! For larger panels we offer aluminium edge framing systems, that allow easy ‘hidden’ fixing and easy replacement of the panel.

Q.
How do I fix my flexible indoor prints to a wall?

A. Prints can be fixed with self adhesive velcro hook and loop tape. We also offer reuseable aluminium clamp on banner rails which have eyelets. Plus economical plastic poster rails.

Q. How do I hang my prints from the ceiling?
A. The best solution for flexible prints are aluminium clamp on banner rails which have eyelets and can be hung with clear line or double ended wire hooks. We also stock economical plastic poster rails with eyelets. Or we can create looped pockets to allow a wooden dowel to be inserted. For board mounted prints we can drill holes and again they can be hung with clear line or double ended wire hooks. For durability we can reinforce the holes with
eyelets or Grommets.