2

Recently ordered a 10x3ft 15oz laminated vinyl banner for every-day outdoor use.

This is what the banner looks like:

enter image description here

The colors used are:

White #ffffff

Blue #0071bc

Grey #8c8b8b

Black #000000

Even though the blue looks vivid and bright in the PSD design, when translated onto a vinyl banner, the blue looks very dim and loses all the brightness. Similar results happen with the grey, which I was hoping would look more like silver (the colors black and white are rendered perfectly).

I'm getting ready to re-order the same banner, but this time I want to make sure that the blue and the grey come out just as bright as they do on a computer screen / photoshop design.

I researched and found that cyan might be the best blue hue to achieve a bright blue color similar to the one shown on the image above. But at the same time, when I use cyan on this banner design in photoshop, the color looks like such a different blue. (My company corporate colors revolve around the blue shown in the image).

I have another design of this banner, which I also wanted to get printed to have some variation. I am cautious of ordering it now in case I have the same problem with the color not looking as bright as it looks on the PSD design. This banner is the same as the one shown above, but using a red color hue #f5002e.

enter image description here

I would appreciate any suggestions and knowledge on the right colors (blue, red, grey) to use to achieve a bright and vivid result when rendering my design to a vinyl banner, so that the text can be easily seen from afar in outdoor, every-day usage.

Improve this question
4
  • The colors you mention are hexadecimal values - which are RGB colors. Your banner will be printed in CMYK. Converting colors from RGB to CMYK will almost always give you a duller color. You should (if you aren't already) be working in CMYK and (as has been said) talk to your printer. – Cai Feb 16 '16 at 20:26
  • FYI: the technical term for the color range of a color system is gamut. At the least, use the "squint test" to get a better idea of tonal contrast.. – Yorik Feb 16 '16 at 22:27
  • sidenote: do something drastic with that comma... – benteh Feb 16 '16 at 22:43
  • A simple text-based banner like this could be done with cut vinyl, which means your grey text could actually be silver vinyl. – Dre Feb 19 '16 at 22:01
4

This is is where communication with the printer is key. We cannot ideally help you without fully knowing what the requirements are.

  • I wouldn't be using Photoshop I would be using a vector program such as InkScape or Illustrator
  • You should ask the printer if they provide samples.
  • Reference a pantone color guide and do not rely on what color Photoshop is showing on screen.
  • Ask your printer if they have a template you are to use.
  • Make sure your system is calibrated.

There are several questions you can ask, you could read this: What should you ask the printer?

Improve this answer
1
  • Also, they might even have Blue ink, or something. These are pretty basic colours, and the printer can guide you to create the best result. – scottperezfox Feb 17 '16 at 3:55

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.