Step 5 to effective large-Visualizing the final product

When dealing with large-format graphics, there is always one problem that consistently rears it's ugly head: many people can't visualize what the graphic will look like. Most often, it is just too difficult to wrap your brain around the actual size of the graphic. Most computer monitors are between 17" and 24", whereas almost all large-format graphics are 3' x 5' or larger. Sure you can squint at your monitor from across the room, but that can't possibly give you a decent sense of scale when it comes right down to it.

In previous months, I've discussed the importance of legibility and simplicity in large-format design. Unfortunately, without a decent perception of size, you're taking a crap shoot with your marketing campaign. You see, whether it's a client, a boss, or employees and freelancers, everyone involved in your marketing efforts needs to have the same idea for the impact it will have. Particularly if you're dealing with a large-budget marketing campaign, the entire crew should be able to speak using the same visual vocabulary.

…the entire crew should be able to speak using the same visual vocabulary.

This best way to prevent a major marketing catastrophe in this area is to create a real sized mock-up. I cannot stress the importance of this particular solution enough. It doesn't matter what you use, whether it's the actual material you're producing the graphic on, or if it's just a bunch of taped-together butcher paper. It may sound a little childish, but if the graphic isn't too big, grab some markers and draw a rough draft of your designs' layout right on it. This is a good excuse to keep an eye on your text sizes, determining what size the different elements need to be for good effect.

An even more accurate preview can be created using (and yes, I know it's a horrible name), the Rasterbator. This free tool allows you to upload any image, and it will enlarge it, slice it and give you a pdf for download. When you print the multi-page pdf, just place and tape the images together, and you should have a relatively accurate representation of your graphic at a more respectable size.

Read Ben’s Step 4 to effective large-format graphics: Use simple imagery for maximum effectiveness

Benjamin Lawless isn't a big man, by any means, but he'll surprise you.

Plan B — Trade Show Preparation

Let's face it: the tradeshow environment is not a zen garden. There, you will never find balance and peace. Instead, you'll find situations like the Samsonite luggage commercial of old. You know the one: hulking gorillas crash into suitcases with all their might, shredding its contents.

I've seen and heard of all manner of horror stories from the show floor, and they can be truly grisly. 'Bob the tattooed flowerist' drives over your case of graphics while delivering the ferns you ordered. FedEx decides your booth needed a vacation — why else would its last known location be Palm Beach, Florida?

…most of the problems that arise at a trade show are small, but if left unchecked, the sum of them will create overwhelming stress.

The point is nothing ever goes as planned. So, what then? What can be done in advance to minimize the inevitable? You plan for disappointment and heartbreak, and in short, you develop a Plan B. Luckily for you, I've been there, and I've found two objects that will save your hide almost every time.

The first is what I call a Contingency Kit. It's simply a large tool box with the following in it:

• Safety pins
• Shoe strings
• Sewing kit
• Lint roller
• Breath mint
• Deodorant
• Aspirin
• Pencils and pens
• Note pads
• Business cards of booth staff
• Cell phone chargers: if you get one for Nokia and one for Motorola you've covered the majority of the market
• Wet wipes
• Paper towels
• Shoe kit
• White out
• First aid
• Extra power strips
• Extra extension cord
• 2 to 3 prong adapters
• Trash bags: I recommend big Hefty bags
• Roll of paper towels
• Cleaner: Windex, et cetera
• Extra light bulbs: at least 2 of every kind on the booth
• Extra velcro
• Extra brochure holders
• Tape of many kinds: packing, gaffer, electrical, carpet
• A dvd with all the booth's graphics: brochures, cut sheets, posters... everything
• Avery 6875 full sheet label: if you have a laminate booth, these can be used to print a patch of the laminate to cover holes

Also of immense help is a show binder. It's where you keep all the information relating to this show, and this show only. Within it, you should put:

• The phone number and directions to the closest tradeshow display company (bigger shows will have them onsite)
• The directions to the closest hardware store
• The directions to the closest print shop: Kinkos, Staples, et cetera
• 3 DVDs with files of all the graphics used in your booth from business cards to the big tradeshow posters: one goes with the booth, one in your luggage and one with you
• All show contacts
• All Staff information: flights, lodging, cell phone numbers
• Show schedule for you and your staff
• List of restaurants close to the show
• List of restaurants to entertain at
• Show rules
• Copies of all correspondence regarding this show
• Copies of all contracts and agreements

You might find that these lists have more than you need, or maybe not enough. The point is to think of every little thing ahead of time, and plan for the worst case scenarios. With the Contingency Kit and the Show Binder, you know that if you lose your booth, you'll have a place to order a rental, ASAP. If your graphics get ruined, you have the art and can print a temporary replacement. If a light burns out, its covered. Even if somebody pops a button, there's no worries.

And my final word of advice on the subject: NEVER ship the Contingency Kit or the Show Binder with the booth and NEVER ship them to the show floor. If you keep them together and the booth gets lost in shipping somewhere, you're up a creek. Keep your Plan B as safe as possible: ship the Kit and Binder to your hotel. And ALWAYS insure them for at least twice their value. You'll spend at least that much in taxi fares and labor costs should you need something you should have had in the kit.

Now, don't worry: from my experience most of the problems that arise at a trade show are small, but if left unchecked, the sum of them will create overwhelming stress. I hope that these tips will equip you to handle emergencies quickly so you can eliminate the problem and the stress immediately.

Written by the man, the myth, the legend: Ken Pettit.

Large Format Printing for the rest of us

Large Format Printing has not been on the scene for very long. Outside of a few key industries, the benefits of a company like BIG Images are not immediately obvious to the uninitiated. In this article I am going to describe how a few of BIG Images’ clients have recieved invaluable solutions to their printing needs.

Preserving the Past

An old photo panorama, circa 1920, preserved through BIG Images digital printing process


BIG Images only prints with water-proof and light-resistant inks. Our photo-paper is equally strong, able to withstand fading and preserve its whiteness for years. This enabled a customer of ours to preserve a turn of the century panorama for future generations. Our customer had an old photograph that had been taped together from many smaller photographs. We were able to help them create archival quality, fade resistant prints for everyone in the family, preserving their heritage for future generations. This project was completed using our

10.5 mil photo paper

, our

uv-blocking luster laminate

, and 1/2” thick black gator board for a rigid backer.


Interior Decoration

BIG Images’ printing methods offer a low-cost way to create custom wall-coverings. As an example, one of our customers wanted to decorate her children’s bedroom doors. She brought us images of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, which we were able print full size, as large as her doors. She was then able to simply apply these large stickers to the new doors for a unique look all her own. This project used our water-proof and scratch resistance adhesive backed vinyl.

Display Boards

Tri-fold display board
It is very common for businesses or students to need quick and cost-effective signage for their projects. Businesses need presentation material to market their new products and services. Students need display boards for end-of-term presentations, thesis defenses, and senior projects. BIG Images one-off printing methods allow for quick and professionally printed tri-fold presentation boards that fit within a small business or student budget. Our low-cost photo-paper & Fome Core (used to produce the tri-fold board pictured here) is a perfect solution for presentation boards.

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday Banner
Everyone has a birthday. Why not celebrate with a huge birthday banner and let your friends and family know just how old they are! With a custom and personalized printed banner you can add that singularly fun and attractive one-of-a-kind feel that guests will not soon forget. Go ahead, embarrass your friends and surprise the guests with a themed banner. All our banners are printed on high-quality 16.25mil vinyl banner.

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Article written by Jon Beebe.