How To: Get the PERFECT Large Format Print (And See Results)

With large format printing, a small preventable mistake on your screen becomes a massive problem in reality. Getting your PVC Banner, Wall Banner, Wall Paper, Pull-Up Banners, X-Banners and Stickers right the first time saves you money, time, and embarrassment. Here's exactly what you need to check before hitting that print button.

What Is Large Format Printing?#

"Large format" typically means anything 42cm wide or larger, though we offer some smaller sizes for certain products. These prints use roll materials like:

• 1PVC for banners
• 2Indoor/outdoor vinyl for stickers
• 3Paper for posters
• 4Rigid boards such as Correx, ABS and Chromadek for signage

Go further with your large format printing

The larger the format, the bigger the impact.

The most popular large-format products include:

• 1Stickers/Decals
• 2Chromadek Boards
• 3Wall Banners
• 4Pull-up Banners
• 5Posters
• 6PVC Banners
• 7Correx Boards
• 8ABS Boards
• 9X-Banners
• 10Info Boards

Here's how to get perfect results every time:

Master Your Image Quality#

Use high-resolution images with 100 dots per inch (DPI) or higher. This ensures your visuals stay crisp and clear when scaled up. Pixelated images look amateur and hurt your brand.

Choose vector graphics over JPG, JPEG and BMP files whenever possible. Vectors use mathematical equations to define paths, so they scale to any size without losing sharpness. Raster images (JPG, JPEG, BMP) are made of individual pixels that distort when enlarged.

Hi res flower

Always use hi-res images

Nail Your Colour Strategy#

Optimise colours for distance viewing. Your banner needs to be readable from metres away, so create strong contrast between background and text. Keep your colour scheme simple — stick to 2 or 3 colours maximum to avoid visual clutter.

Skip gradients entirely. Those subtle colour transitions get lost in large format printing and often look muddy.

Save everything in CMYK mode. Most large format printing uses the four-colour process, and RGB colours don't translate accurately. You'll get colour surprises if you ignore this rule.

Get Your Sizing Spot-On#

Submit artwork in the exact format and aspect ratio of your final print. Calculate aspect ratio using: Width ÷ Height. If your artwork doesn't match the final ratio, you'll get stretched or squashed images that look unprofessional.

Too much colour can be hard to digest

Too much colour can be hard to digest

Choose Fonts That Work From a Distance#

Your large format print will be viewed from far away, so font choice matters enormously. Avoid these problematic fonts:

• 1Fonts with excessive letter spacing (makes word gaps unclear)
• 2Fonts with cramped letter spacing (individual letters blur together)
• 3Extremely bold fonts (creates crowded, hard-to-read text)
• 4Ultra-thin fonts (disappear into backgrounds)

Stick with these proven distance-readable fonts:

• 1Arial
• 2Georgia
• 3Times New Roman
• 4Trebuchet
• 5Verdana

“

Large format printing is like shouting across a rugby field — your message needs to be bold, clear, and impossible to misunderstand.

P

Printulu Academy

Get your font right

Get your font right

Prepare for Perfect Printing#

Add Proper Bleed#

Include at least 3mm bleed on all sides. Bleed shows the printer where to cut without slicing into your text or graphics. Well-designed bleed creates the illusion that colours extend beyond the material edges.

Test With Proofs#

If budget allows, request a physical proof before final printing. Plan ahead — proofs take time, especially for events with tight deadlines.

On a tight budget? Request an emailed proof of pre-checked artwork before production starts.

Consider a plotter proof for legibility testing. Remember: plotter colours aren't as vibrant as final digital prints, so use these for layout checking, not colour accuracy.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid#

Don't Resize Photos in Editing Software#

This creates heavy pixelation when printed. Find high-resolution source images instead — it's worth the extra effort.

Don't Clutter Your Design#

Clutter kills your message. Create breathing room around graphics and limit text to headlines and subheadings. For detailed information (dates, times, locations), use structured formats like tables or bullet points.

Keep it clean

Keep it clean

Your Perfect Print Checklist#

Your large format print should communicate instantly from a distance. Sharp text, contrasting colours, and appropriately scaled graphics deliver the impact that makes large-format printing so powerful for South African businesses.

Remember: what looks fine on your computer screen might fail spectacularly at 2 metres wide. Follow these guidelines, and you'll create large format prints that grab attention and deliver results.

Resources#

1. 5 Design Tips for Large Scale Printing

Related#

1. 4 ways to save money on graphic design
2. Is your typography print ready?
3. Get print-ready for your next expo, trade show or community event