Large format prints such as artistic murals, message-driving billboards, and awe-inspiring large format digital window graphics make a bold, memorable statement about their organization without uttering a word.
While the possibilities of large format window graphics are seemingly endless, it’s essential to maximize the effects of eye-catching images and signage. To make a strong impact, prioritize sharp, high-resolution images and vibrant colors that command attention. For instance, a restaurant could benefit from mouthwatering, close-up photos of its signature dishes, while a retail store might highlight bold, seasonal promotions.
Below, you’ll find practical tips on choosing the right materials, optimizing color choices, and ensuring readability so that your large format graphics deliver a powerful, unforgettable impression on customers, clients, and colleagues.
1. Account for Perspective
Large format prints can look very different on screen compared to how people experience them in real life. The images used in banners, commercial building windows, and billboards will be seen from a distance and typically at an angle. Billboards may be the best example because passersby usually have to turn their heads and look upward. When designing your large format print, keep placement and perspective in mind.
2. Design Large Format Prints to Scale
Reduce the overall size of the printable graphic during the creative process. Working on large format graphics at or near the actual size can be unwieldy and slow the process. Moving it around, even on an oversized monitor, can help with the accuracy of fine details but, the overarching design and visceral effect it has on viewers may be lost in translation.
When working on large printable graphics digitally, consider reducing the size to at least 25 percent and increasing the resolution during the design process. Just remember to go over the scale and resolution with your large-format print provider when placing the order. And don’t hesitate to contact your printer for graphic design tips.
3. Choose the Right Material for Printable Graphics
The lifespan of your large format graphics—whether they’re window displays, billboards, or banners—depends heavily on the materials you select. Environmental factors like UV exposure, weather extremes, and physical contact can impact their durability.
For example, outdoor window graphics endure constant UV rays, while billboards and murals face intense weather conditions. Indoor prints in office settings must withstand frequent contact with people and objects. These are examples of printable window films and protective overlays worth considering to get the best return on investment possible. To maximize ROI, consider these high-performance materials:
- Graffiti-Resistant & Anti-Glare Protection
- Clear Film for Long Term Outdoor Use
- Environmentally Sustainable Recycled PET Film
- Heavy Duty Gloss PET for Added Protection
- Scratch Resistant Materials
- Scratch Resistant Materials with UV Blocking
It’s also important to note that PET (polyethylene terephthalate) products are often sourced from recycled materials, like plastic bottles, making them a sustainable choice for printing.
4. Choose Colors that Stand Out
Matching the image on the storefront window or banner with the concept in the mind’s eye can be a Herculean task. The bright, digital colors and contrasts on a computer screen don’t always translate into large-format prints. There are a variety of ways the differences between digital and physical prints can be reconciled. One method involves using Pantone colors that large format printers routinely employ and trust. Industry-leading printers also lean on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop increasingly precise mock-ups for customers.
5. Select Fonts for Maximum Impact
Size, design, distance, and color all play a part in communicating the verbiage of a large-format graphic design with its audience. Choose a typeface that complements the overall design while ensuring readability from a distance. Keep in mind that the font must be clear, concise, and legible from a distance. It’s always a good idea to discuss this and other graphic design issues with your large format printer to ensure they align with your goals and enhance the graphic’s impact.
Contact LINTEC of America for Superior Large Format Window Graphics
Architectural window films transform storefronts, office spaces, and building facades by capturing people’s imagination. We hope these large-format graphic design tips prove helpful. If you are considering large-format prints, LINTEC is here to help. Contact us today, and let’s get the process started.
