1) What format should I use to submit artwork for a bid or sketch?

Printed Artwork: Please send a color photo or print of the artwork, sketch, or logo. The actual product is also sometimes helpful in developing a bid and/or sketch of the proposed inflatable.

Digital Artwork: Digital artwork for bidding can be submitted as a vector-based or raster-based graphic. We can accept art created in Adobe Illustrator CS3, Adobe InDesign CS3, Adobe Photoshop CS3 or as an exported EPS Quark Xpress file.

If your logo or sketch is on your web site we can download this artwork directly from the Internet. We also can retrieve art from your ftp server if required.

If you order an inflatable, artwork used for bidding will not always be sufficient for us to use in building an inflatable.

2) What format should I use to submit artwork to be reproduced on an inflatable?

Printed Artwork: Printed artwork should be submitted as a camera ready photostat or black and white slick. Faxes, photocopies, and colored artwork are not acceptable due to the scanning precision required in duplicating your art. However, do include a color printout for clear indication of color separations.

Though photos of your product are helpful in proofing our art duplication, artwork should be submitted flat and undistorted. Artwork cannot be accepted on a picture or drawing of the actual product.

Digital Artwork: Digital artwork should be submitted in a vector-based (path based) program. We reproduce our graphics using a method similar to screen-printing and need your art in a vector-based program for precise graphic enlargement. We can accept art created in Adobe Illustrator CS3, or as an exported EPS Quark Xpress file. We can also accept artwork saved as a DXF file (a common format for CAD programs). If your art was created in a different program, please have it converted at your local computer service bureau.

Unfortunately, we DO NOT accept Coral Draw files. Also, unless your files are to be photographically reproduced, Adobe Photoshop is not a preferred format.

3) Should I send PC or Macintosh files?
We operate almost 100% on a Macintosh system, though we can convert many PC formats. Call for more information.

4) How should I send digital files?
We can accept digital files sent via e-mail or on CD + or -, DVD + or -. Always send a print out of the file and all fonts necessary to recreate the file with your digital art.

5) How can I e-mail artwork?
Attach your art to your e-mail message in an appropriate file format. Common raster formats include JPEG, TIFF, PICT, EPS, and BMP. Common vector formats include Adobe Illustrator, EPS, and DXF. In addition, please fax or send a color specific layout so we can be sure that all your information is received accurately.

Please keep the file size down to 500k or smaller. The larger the file the more likely it can be corrupted in uploading or downloading. Artwork can be e-mailed to bbcinfo@boulderblimp.com.

6) What fonts does Boulder Blimp Company have on file?
Boulder Blimp Company has an extensive library of fonts to work from in duplicating your artwork. However, to ensure exact duplication, include all the fonts used in your artwork with your files, or convert the fonts to paths before saving the file.

7) What color matching system does Boulder Blimp Company use?
Boulder Blimp Company precisely matches your colors using the Pantone Matching System. To ensure accurate color duplication, please provide a color print out of your artwork with the PMS colors specified.

8) How should I submit files for photographic reproduction?
Files for photographic reproduction should be scanned in Adobe Photoshop at a minimum of 600 dpi per 6 inch by 6-inch section in CMYK mode and saved as a TIFF file.

Please scan only the areas that are to be photographically reproduced. Scan each section individually to give a better resolution per area. Each file will be about 20 MB. Submit these files by disk. Please do not attempt to e-mail a file this large.

9) How does Boulder Blimp Company put our graphics on an inflatable?
After your artwork is in our computer system, we use a vector based sign program and scale the art to fit proportionally on your inflatable. The enlarged artwork is directly outputted from the computer and applied on the inflatable using a method similar to screen-printing. Putting artwork, labels, and logos on an inflatable is a lot like placing them on your real product, but on a much larger scale.

Photographic artwork is printed directly on the fabric using state of the art large format printers set up for just this purpose.