Designing for large-format displays is high-stakes: unlike digital graphics, once it’s printed at 10 feet wide, there’s no “undo.” Whether you’re preparing a step-and-repeat banner, an SEG fabric wall, or a freestanding pop-up display, avoiding common pre-press errors protects both your brand’s reputation and your budget.

At Factory of Graphics, we partner with corporate teams, small businesses, government agencies, exhibit houses, sign resellers, and marketing professionals to produce flawless, print-ready display graphics. Here’s our guide to the 10 most common mistakes—how to avoid them—and how we ensure your files are perfect before going to press.

Web images are typically low-resolution (72 DPI), intended for screens—not print. Enlarging them leads to pixelation and blurriness. Always use high-resolution images (150–300 DPI at full size) for crisp, professional results.

Canva Tip: Set your canvas dimensions to full-size specs (e.g., 96″ x 96″ for an 8′ wall) and download as PDF Printwith crop marks and bleed enabled. Avoid PNGs or JPGs unless they are high-res and properly scaled.

Missing bleed can result in unintended white edges. Include bleed (typically 0.125″ to 1″) and keep critical elements within the safe zone.

What is Bleed?
Bleed is the extended area beyond the final cut size that compensates for slight trimming variances, ensuring edge-to-edge print coverage.

Need help setting up bleed? We can provide templates or walk you through the process.

Fonts that look elegant on a screen might be illegible from 20 feet away. Avoid thin, script, or decorative fonts for key messages. Opt for bold, sans-serif fonts with strong contrast and larger sizing for maximum readability.

RGB is for screens; CMYK is for print. Files submitted in RGB may print with unexpected color shifts.

Pantone Colors:
The Pantone Matching System ensures brand color consistency across all materials. We can match your brand’s Pantone colors if needed—just send us your logo or artwork.

Always convert to CMYK before submitting for print.

What looks good at 100% zoom might not work full-size. Text could be too small, graphics too intricate, and color gradients muddy.

Tip: Zoom out or view at full size to simulate real-world viewing distance before finalizing your design.

Mistake #6: Overcrowding the Design

More isn’t better. Overloading your banner with products, taglines, and logos overwhelms viewers.

Best Practice: Focus on one main message per panel, use clear messaging hierarchy, and embrace white space to create clean, intentional designs.

Mistake #7: Not Accounting for Hardware Placement

Hardware like stands, pole pockets, and frames can obscure parts of your design.

Solution: Avoid placing text or logos near edges or frame lines. We provide hardware templates to help you design around technical elements.

Mistake #8: Low-Quality or Stretched Logos

A distorted logo damages your brand’s professionalism. Always use vector files (AI, EPS, or high-res PDFs) and resize proportionally. We can assist with logo clean-up or recreations if needed.

Mistake #9: Forgetting to Outline Fonts or Embed Images

Missing fonts and broken image links can derail production.

Before sending files:

• Outline all text to prevent font substitutions

• Embed all linked images

• Export as a high-resolution, print-ready PDF or package your design files properly

We always recommend a final preflight check to catch these issues.

Mistake #10: Skipping the Pre-Print Review

Even experienced designers miss details. A professional pre-print review can catch errors like wrong sizing, missing bleed, or wrong file formats.

At Factory of Graphics, we offer complimentary pre-print file checks to help you avoid costly mistakes and production delays.

How Factory of Graphics Protects Your Display Projects

We do more than print—we partner with you throughout the design and production process to ensure success.

Here’s how we support you:

• Free File Reviews Before Printing

• Preflight Checks for Bleed, Color Mode, Resolution, and Format

• Design Templates and Setup Guides for All Display Products

• Direct Support from Our Production Experts

• Real-Time Feedback on File Submissions

Whether you’re an in-house marketing team, a small business, a government entity, or a creative agency, we help you deliver perfectly printed graphics that install easily, read beautifully from any distance, and elevate your brand.

Ready for Pre-Print Support?

Send us your artwork today for a free review.
We’ll check it within 24 hours—because flawless printing starts with great preparation.