• How do I send you a file?
• What file formats do you accept?
• What is the difference between ‘bitmap’ and ‘vector’ graphics?
• Why can’t I use this graphic I found on a website / our company website?

1. How do I send you a file?

There are several methods for sending us an electronic file. The easiest method would be to e-mail the file to us. Please send the file to: contact@nextday-sign.com. Please note that we can only accept files that are 5mb or less via our e-mail account.

If your file is larger than 5mb, you have a few other options. YouSendIt.com allows you to send files up to 100mb in size free of charge. They may require you to sign up for a free account at the site, but they don’t charge unless the file is more than 100mb.

If the file is larger than 100mb, or you prefer to bring us a file on physical media, you can send it to us at our business address (see our Contact Page for directions) or bring it in yourself. Almost any physical media is fine (DVD-R’s, CD-R’s, USB flash/thumb drives, etc.)

2. What file formats do you accept?

We accept the following file formats: Adobe Photoshop (.psd) [formatted for CS1 or lower], Adobe Illustrator (.ai) [formatted for CS1 or lower], Adobe Acrobat (.pdf), Encapsulated Postscript (.eps), .JPG, .PNG, .GIF, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Powerpoint, OpenOffice (any), .TIF, CorelDraw, FlexiSign

The file format we require depends on the project. It’s easiest to break this question down into two rough categories – bitmap vs. vector. (If you need an explanation of the differences between bitmap and vector graphics, see ‘What is the difference between ‘bitmap’ and ‘vector’ graphics?‘ below.)

Some file formats are specifically bitmap format, and some are vector. Some can be either. Here’s a simplified breakdown for each of the formats. 

• Bitmap Formats – .psd (Adobe Photoshop), .jpg, .png, .gif, tif
• Vector Formats – .ai (Adobe Illustrator), .eps, CorelDraw, FlexiSign
• Could be either – .pdf (Adobe Acrobat)

This isn’t a hard and fast guide. For example, if you open a .jpg in Illustrator and save it as an .eps file, the image will not become vectorized. It will be a bitmap image embedded in a vector formatted file. So, just because you have an .eps does not necessarily mean you have a vectorized file.

With regards to what file format we need for your particular project…it depends. In general, unless your sign or project incorporates a photographic image or something of that nature, vectorized files are preferred. If you send us a company logo and it needs to be significantly enlarged or placed on a vinyl banner, it may be necessary for us to clean up the logo and/or vectorize it before it is useable. This work will incur an additional design charge. When possible, it is best to submit ready, useable artwork.

There are a great many factors in determining whether or not a graphic file is ready and useable. If there is any doubt, it’s usually best to send us the file and let us make a determination.

3. What is the difference between ‘bitmap’ and ‘vector’ graphics?

Forthcoming.

4. Why can’t I use this graphic I found on a website / our company website?

Forthcoming.