1. What is the graphic artwork file submission and approval process?

You place your order and submit your graphic artwork. To avoid delays, submit your graphic artwork the same day when you place your order. Please only send the files relevant for the printing.

We review your submitted graphic file for suitability for printing, and contact you if it does not meet all requirements.

If corrections are required, you may make these changes yourself and resubmit the file or request us make the corrections, if we are able to do so. If we make the corrections for you, there will be extra graphic service charges. We will send the revised file to you for approval.

Once the graphic file is approved for printing, we will schedule printing for your order.

2. How to send my graphic documents?

You may send us files using one of the following methods:

CD, DVD, floppy disks, and other removable media (Iomega ZIP & JAZ drives). To avoid delays, please make sure to write your company’s name, your name and phone number on the removable media and mail them in a properly protected case to: Unique Advertising and Display Corp. 90 13th Ave Suite 3 Ronkonkoma NY 11779.

For files under 2MB, email at: Art@uniqueadvertising.com

Upload at the FTP site: www. please see below for instructions on FTP upload.

3. What file types are accepted?

We prefer Adobe Illustrator for your file type, with vector type and objects, and placed raster images. Illustrator files that end with .eps or .ai will provide the best results. All vector files should be saved in EPS format (Standard EPS or Adobe Illustrator) and should be fully editable as they will be scaled and/or rotated.

We accept both PC or Mac files set-up in the following applications:

Adobe Illustrator CS2, or earlier (.eps or .ai)

Adobe Photoshop CS2, or earlier (.psd or .tif)

Adobe InDesign CS2, or earlier

Adobe PDF files that are editable in Illustrator

4. What size of graphics should I prepare?

Prepare your files at actual size or proportioned to the actual size. For example, if you want a 4’x3’ final print: Then your file must be in a ratio of 4:3 (ie. 4’x3’, 24”x 18”, or 12”x9”, etc…).

5. What is the resolutions requirements?

File must be at least 100dpi at final full printout size. Do Not use web site images (jpg, jpeg, gif), as they are generally of low resolution (72dpi) and are unsatisfactory when enlarged.

If your image includes photographic or raster images, it is critical that any raster images used in your file be properly enlarged, before they are placed into or linked to a file. All raster images should be saved as CMYK TIF, CMYK PSD, or CMYK EPS file formats. Please include on your disc or with your electronically sent files all individual raster images that may be linked to your final file. These files are critical to fixing any problems that may occur while outputting your images. You should send these photo images separately, edited as you need, cropped to the proportional dimensions that are used in your master file, but NOT ALTERED in terms of its original physical dimensions and ppi resolution.

Do Not size or scale raster images in Illustrator or InDesign. Using Adobe Photoshop to enlarge your raster images over 200% is not a good idea. All raster images used in your file must be a minimum of 100 ppi at the final print size. If your file is prepared at 50% of final size, then the raster images must be at a resolution of 200 ppi. If your file is prepared at 25% of final size, then the raster images must be at a resolution of 400 ppi, etc.

Any raster images (photos, photo-illustrations, scanned images, etc...) must be of high quality to begin with when printing at large sizes. The rule is that a given image can only be increased in size to a maximum of 600% - 800% from its originally acquired digital size. YOU CANNOT INCREASE THE APPARENT RESOLUTION of a file by typing a bigger number into the original size window in Photoshop.

There are software programs available to enlarge raster images up to 600% without significant loss of detail or artifact. We use one created by Lizard Tech, and can enlarge your raster images with it, and re-link them to your file for a small service charge. Example: If you have a file that is 4” wide by 3” high at 200 ppi, in its original state (scanned at, acquired in a camera at, or created at), then the largest that image can be used and look good is 24” by 18”, possibly to 32” by 24”. Generally not any larger. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF A RASTER IMAGE YOU WISH TO USE IN YOUR GRAPHICS DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PPI RESOLUTION TO BEGIN WITH, IT CANNOT BE ENLARGED WITH GOOD RESULTS WITH ANY SOFTWARE.

6. What if I have text in my graphics?

You must include all fonts used in your file. All type in your files must also be outlined if possible. Files in which the type is not outlined, or is not included may incur graphic services charges to correct the problem, or will hold up production of the job while you edit and resend the file.

If you create your text in Adobe Photoshop you need to work at actual print size, and at a minimum resolution of 300 ppi (pixels per inch). Whenever possible do not flatten the Photoshop file. If a Photoshop file is flattened, the type does not retain its vector characteristics.

7. How is color match handled?

Generally, we will be very close to a match without any special adjustments. If you need an exact color match, you need to Indicate in writing the Pantone values for all critical colors. Designation in the graphic file is not sufficient notice. A layered version of the graphic file must be included. There will be additional graphic service charges due to the significant adjustment and test printing required for such color match.

Because we use CMYK printers to create your graphics, 100% reproduction of defined colors is not possible.

8. CMYK vs. RGB

We print using CMYK ink sets, Your files should be created in CMYK color mode. Converting from other modes may distort colors, shapes or images. You will notice that the extended color gamut that RGB uses is not printable. The printed version of your file will not match with what you see in RGB on your screen. If you prepare and view your file in CMYK, you will be able to see a much closer representation of how the file will print.

9. Can I use multiple banner displays to create a single Mural effect?

We do not recommend the use of multiple banner displays to try to create a single Mural effect. We do not guarantee that the vertical or horizontal placement between banners will match to achieve such effect. There may also be slight curling after time on banner edges. For mural displays, please see our pop-up displays.

10. Transfer Your Files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

There are two ways to transfer your artwork files: a) FTP through Internet Explorer b) FTP through FTP Client Software. Use one of the methods depending on your preferences. Please follow these steps to upload your files:

a) FTP through Internet Explorer

Click on the link to access the FTP site: graphics.sheerwave.com. Please use username: ftp_graphics, password: tradeshow

Once you are on the page, click “Page” on your browser, then “Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer” to view the FTP site in Windows Explorer.

Drag or send files to this folder.

Please see Important Note below.

b) FTP through FTP Client Software

Make sure that you have an FTP client installed, usually supplied by your Internet Service Provider, If you are a PC user and do not have an FTP client for your computer, you can download FTP Explorer, a free/shareware from http://www.ftpx.com. If you are a Mac user and don't have an FTP client, you can download Fetch, a free trial software from http://www.fetchsoftworks.com.

Once you have downloaded and installed FTP Explorer, select “Tools” --> “Connect”

In Profile type a name for the connection: FTP

In Host Address type: graphics.sheerwave.com

In Login type: ftp_graphics

In Password type: tradeshow

Press “Connect”

There will be a folder called "" - drag or send files to this folder.

Please see Important Note below

Important Note: You will not be able to see your file in the directory after you have sent it; this is a normal security measure to help protect your data--the file is still there, but hidden. However, this means that once you have sent a file, you will not be able to retransfer it using the same filename. If you need to retransfer a file because your first upload attempt was aborted or the file sent contained errors, you must either rename the file you wish to retransfer or call us so we can remove the unwanted copy of the file from the directory.

Please notify us when you have finished uploading your files to our FTP server, so we can process your files in a timely manner. Our email is sales@sheerwave.com and phone number is 952-942-1000.