Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs
They can also be found at the bottom of the webpage under “download templates”. https://www.signink.com/product_help_templates.php
Art Setup FAQs
Answer: Our website is able to handle large files but even then, files may become too large. If you are having trouble uploading files due to them being too large here are some options.
Check your DPI – Our large format printers do not print higher than 150 dpi. If you have large images in your file, please save them at no greater than 150 dpi.
Google Drive – Try sending us a google drive link. Be sure to grant us access to it.
If all else fails, contact us at Support@signink.com and we’ll get it figured out!
Answer: Artwork Size: Your file should be the exact size you want it to print with no additional art board space around it. If you want your file to print 36” x 48” please send it exactly that size.
If your artwork exceeds the artboard restrictions of the design software, you may send it a percentage smaller of its final size. For example, you would send a 48” x 360” banner at half size (50%). The size you would send is 24” x 180” but be sure to order it at the final size and let us know you have sent the art at half size.
Bleeds: Your file should be exact size with no extra white space unless you have a bleed, in which case please send with a 1/8” bleed all around. Some products have the option of a 1/4” bleed. Do not send files with additional artboard space beyond the bleed.
Cutlines: Refer to “How do I send a cutline?”. Any file that is not just a single rectangle cut to size needs to have a cutline. This includes rounded corners and circular shapes with the exclusion of rigid products that give you the option to add rounded corners in finishing. Those are done by hand and do not need a cut line.
Fonts: Please convert fonts to curves. Sign Ink is not responsible for files that print incorrectly due to fonts not being converted to curves.
Flatten Transparencies: Flatten transparencies and complex vector graphics to avoid printing errors. 150dpi is all we need.
Answer: If your file has color to the edge of the print, we recommend sending it with a bleed to avoid white slivers or slivers from the adjacent print.
Kiss-cut and Thru-cut Shapes should always be sent with a bleed space around it. This avoids white slivers in the Kiss-Cut and flat edges when we Thru-Cut to the outer border of Kiss-Cuts.
When to add bleeds fileAnswer: File Size Mismatch lets us know that your file might not be the correct size, and we need to pay extra attention to the graphics.
You may receive a File Size Mismatch error for the following reasons.
- Your art file does not match the size in your order details.
- You’ve sent your file with bleeds that are larger than indicated in the order details. For example, the order details give you the option of a 1/8” bleed but the file has a 1/4” bleed. This will result in a File Mismatch Message.
- Your graphic is bigger than the artboard restriction of your design software, so you had scale it down. Please put in the File Mismatch Message the percentage that it was scaled down.
The file size mismatch software is very sensitive and will detect if your art is even one thousandth of inch incorrect.
Answer: Check that your art size is correct. If it is put in the file mismatch message the final size of the file or other important information that you think may help us regarding questions about the file size.
Answer: Any artfiles that are not a retangle to the Trim-Box edge or inside the bleed must have a cutline. This includes circles, ovals, logos and lettering. Please use the following steps to create a cutline. For a more detailed guide download the “How to Make a Cutline pdf file” File link here.
- Step 1
- File Step 1 Stroke
- Make stroke line where you want to cut.
- Your stroke must stand out - We recommend making it 100% magenta.
- It must be a vector, not a bitmap.
- It must be a stroke and not a fill.
- Step 2
- File Step 2 CutContour
- Make your cutline a Spot Color called "CutContour".
- Go to the color options and create a new swatch.
- Name it CutContour and make it a Spot Color.
- Step 3
- File Step 3 New Layer
- Put it on its own layer separate from the art layer.
- Make a new layer called Cut Line or CutContour.
- Move all your cut lines to that new layer.
Answer: You can indicate where you want white ink in 3 ways:
- For a white flood everywhere: You can specify when uploading the file that you want an all white background or white flood in the Additional Details box.
- For white areas: You can specify in the Additional Details box that you want white behind color and/or everywhere that is white. Anywhere that is white or color will print white. Be sure that your background is transparent if you want it to not be white.
- The fail-proof way: Send a white layer! Just like making a cutline on a separate layer (“how do I send a cutline?” question), you can make a fill (not stroke) to indicate where your white will go. Name your Spot Color “WhiteContour” and put it on its own layer. Call that layer “White” or “White Contour”.
Answer: First surface is when the graphic is applied or printed to the front and view it from the front.
- First Surface
- Examples:
- A sticker applied to the outside of a window and viewed from the outside of the window.
- Acrylic printed to the face.
- Examples:
- Second Surface is when the graphic is applied or printed to the back and viewed from the front.
- Examples:
- Clear vinyl applied to the inside of the window to be read from the outside of the window.
- Acrylic print on the backside to be viewed through the front.
- Examples:
Answer: Positive (Weed-Remove negative) and Negative (Weed-Remove Postive) are 2 options available when kiss-cutting vinyl. Here is the difference!
Positive Negative Weeding FileIt is always good to clarify any confusing elements in Additional Comments box.
Answer: Yes. This avoids errors and confusion during printing.
Answer: No. The arrow for one side must point to the right and the other side to point to the left. Otherwise, it would be sending traffic in contradicting directions.
Answer: Yes, in most cases. If your graphic has 3” of white around the edges and no directional arrows you can use the same art front and back. If your graphic has color to the edge you will need to add 1” hems that wrap around to match the back and a 2” white space on the back so the banner can be welded. We cannot hem over ink except when sewing. Here’s a step by step pdf on how to set up hems for full color double sided banners.
DB Banner setup Instructions File download linkProduction Time & Shipping
- If you have a large project that will require more production time or you don’t need it in 3 business days, you can select Future Due Date.
- Express: 5 hour production on orders placed before 12pm. Orders placed Express after 12pm will be ready the following day.
- Priority 1: 24 hour production. Orders will be ready at the same time the following day.
- Priority 2: 48 hour production. Orders will be ready in 2 days.
Yes, we offer inside pick-up during business hours. Please check out your order at the Kiosk.
Need to pick up outside business hours? You can choose “outside” pickup at checkout, and we will leave your jobs in the trailer. Be aware that some paper products like ExtremeColorsoft transfers, foam board and posters are sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity. We will reach out if we are concerned about items being left outside for pick up.
Yes, we offer a number of courier options depending on the delivery location. You can also send your own courier to pick up your order. You can easily see the regions where we offer courier when you select shipping at check out.
Courier is a great option for local and surrounding regions near Richmond, VA especially if you have large items or orders that may otherwise require a freight shipment. It is also a great option if you have multiple items in your order or multiple orders that might not package well together and would require multiple boxes. For example a 4’ x 8’ banner cannot be packaged with 24” x 18” coroplast so this would result in paying for 2 UPS shipments.
- We offer 3 Courier Options:
- Royal Courier: A local company we contact to arrange a courier time, recommended for deliveries in Richmond, VA, and nearby areas.
- Professional Courier: A local company delivering to regions outside Richmond. Delivery days are indicated with region names, e.g., “Charlottesville T-Th” (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
- Sign Ink Courier: Our internal courier for surrounding regions. We will contact you to schedule delivery.
Please contact support@signink.com for questions about scheduling a courier or if your area is not listed and you require a special quote for that address.
Rigid products like metal, wood and foamboard, can be shipped up to 36” x 48”. Rigid products that can be rolled like 0.30 polystyrene Banners that are more the 6 feet wide may be folded so they are not oversized.
Our online shipping calculator does calculate oversized shipping charges. If you are hoping to have an oversized sign shipped UPS we will reach out.
We recommend using Freight or Courier for large orders and signs. Sign Ink offers a number of Courier options for local, regional and surrounding areas around Richmond.
We also offer Freight or Courier options for large signs and orders.
We use UPS for most of our shipping. You have the option at check-out of paying for shipping through our website or having us bill your UPS account.
- Our shipping options include:
- UPS Ground
- UPS Next Air
- UPS Next Day Air Saver
- UPS Next Day Air Early
- UPS 2nd Day Air
- UPS 2nd Day Air AM
- UPS 3 Day Select
Freight options are also available.
Ground transit times are typically anywhere from 1-6 business days inside the continental US. You will be given an estimated delivery date at check-out. Here is a chart of UPS ground transit times from Sign Ink.
Sign Ink is not responsible for UPS losing or delaying package deliveries. Please allow extra time for events and installations in case of UPS mishaps.
- Order number(s)
- Legible picture(s) of the UPS label
- Picture(s) of the damage to the outside of the box
- Picture(s) of the damage to the product
- Best resolution options and an inventory of the damaged items