If you’re planning on printing banners in Phoenix—whether for a local event, storefront, or trade show—getting the artwork right on the front end can save you a lot of time and back-and-forth. It doesn’t matter how great the design is—if the file isn’t set up correctly, the final print might not come out how you expected. Since we receive many questions about this, here’s a simple, no-fluff guide to preparing artwork for banner printing in Phoenix.

Start with the Final Size in Mind

Before you open Photoshop or Illustrator, please tell us how big your banner needs to be. Print North Valley, like many other printing companies in Phoenix,  can handle everything from small tabletop displays to oversized building graphics, each with different requirements. Design your file at full size when possible, or use a scale (like 1:2 or 1:4) if it’s enormous.

Don’t Overdo the Resolution

It’s easy to think that “higher resolution” means “better,” but that’s not always true for banners. For large prints, especially those meant to be viewed from a few feet away or more, 100 DPI at the final size is usually enough. If your banner is going to be viewed close up (like at an indoor event), you can go up to 150 DPI—but there’s no need to use 300 DPI unless your printer specifically asks for it.

Keep Key Content Away from the Edges

At your request, we usually add hems, grommets, or pole pockets to finish your banner—and those can interfere with your design if you’re not careful. Keep all text, logos, and other essential elements at least an inch away from the edge of the artwork. Ask us how much “safe space” to leave when in doubt.

Outline Your Fonts

This is a familiar one that people often miss. If you’re sending in an Illustrator or PDF file, convert your fonts to outlines before you export. This locks in your type and ensures that our team doesn’t have to substitute a different font if it doesn’t have yours installed.

Switch to CMYK

Most banner printers like Print North Valley use CMYK ink systems—not RGB. If you leave your file in RGB, the printed colors might look a bit off from what you saw on your screen. Before you export your final file, switch it to CMYK color mode so the colors stay true.

Use High-Quality Images

Avoid pulling images straight from Google or screenshots. They might look fine on a screen but usually don’t hold up well when printed large. Stick with high-resolution photos—at least 100 DPI at final size—and ensure they’re either embedded or linked correctly in your file.

Know What File Formats Are Preferred

PDF is generally a safe bet. We can also accept AI, EPS, and TIF files. Please ensure all links and fonts are embedded or outlined if necessary. Sending a clean, print-ready file keeps the process smooth.

Ask About Finishing Options

If you’re ordering hems, grommets, or pole pockets, ensure you know how much bleed is needed for those finishes. Some banners will need an extra inch on each side. You don’t want your logo getting punched through by a grommet.

Getting Started

When printing banners in Phoenix, prepping your artwork right from the beginning saves time and helps avoid last-minute surprises. And if you’re ever unsure about something, don’t guess—ask us. We’d much rather answer a few quick questions than fix a preventable mistake after printing the job.