by Rick Hendershot, for Canada Display
Graphics
Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or
"display" purposes. Display Graphics are usually printed on
paper, vinyl or fabric using a "large format" printing device.
Normally display graphics are over-sized graphics printed on
paper or some other material, and then mounted or hung on a
graphic display unit of some sort in a conspicuous place.
One-off display graphics are used in vinyl banners, trade show
displays, or as backdrops for a convention, press conference, or
special event such as an athletic event or tournament.
Multiple units of display graphic items are often required when
a company has numerous sales outlets or franchises. In that case
the producer of display graphics will produce a number of units
such as posters, mounted displays, banner stands or vinyl
banners so the company can mount a consistent promotional
campaign.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Applications
The most important distinction is between display graphics used
for indoor displays and display graphics used for outdoor
display purposes.
Indoor products are usually set up in trade shows, retail
stores, malls, and conferences. Outdoor items are things such as
vinyl banners, signage, adhesive vinyl used for vehicles or
window graphics, large outdoor posters (usually printed on vinyl
or fabric), and streetscape banners.
Outdoor items are exposed to the elements and require special
inks in order to be UV resistant and waterproof. The usual
procedure is to use special solvent inks that do not fade nearly
as quickly in bright sunlight, and are also water resistant.
Some suppliers attempt to "cheat" by laminating items printed
with water-based inks, but this is not a satisfactory solution.
It is often desirable to use solvent based printing for some
indoor items as well. For instance, banners that you expect to
use a number of times will have to be rolled and unrolled, and
water-based inks are much more likely to scratch and break down
with this kind of handling. Or if you want to hang a banner
across the front of your display table at a trade show it is
likely to be bumped and have coffee spilled on it. The more
durable you make it, the better.
Artwork Considerations
Most experienced suppliers of display graphics will know exactly
what kind of images and illustrations you should or should not
use in your designs. Digital printing devices can print from
photographs and illustrations, so you can include logos, maps,
text or anything normally printable from a program like
Quarkxpress, Illustrator, or Coreldraw.
One major consideration is the resolution of your original
images. Offset printing (brochures and magazines) requires a
resolution of up to 300 ppi (pixels per inch), but display
graphics can be printed with resolutions as low as 50 ppi
(pixels per inch). Keep this in mind when shooting your original
photos. Make them as large as possible and you should not have
any problem blowing them up for a banner, popup display or
roadside sign.
Find a display graphics supplier who can advise you in simple,
straightforward terms. If you have a bit of experience dealing
with images and layouts, you will find that creating display
graphics is relatively easy. One important thing when designing
your display item is to keep your design simple, and focus on
one or two main elements. Many suppliers of display
graphics products, such as Canada Display Graphics will even
make minor adjustments to your files for no extra charge.
About the author:
Rick Hendershot is the editor and publisher of the Linknet
Publishing Network. For more information on advertising
opportunties, see our link packages and
article writing services.
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