Attachment23_Panel_Production.pdf
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- Attached to
- HAFC CAHA BODIE ISLAND Exhibit Plan, Design, Fab Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 140P2125R0034
About this file
This document is a technical guide for National Park Service (NPS) wayside exhibit panel production, published in January 2023. The document provides comprehensive technical specifications for creating high-quality graphics and preparing production files for wayside exhibits, focusing on critical aspects such as image resolution, color management, and file preparation. Key technical requirements include a minimum 100 pixels per inch (ppi) resolution for most digital fabrication methods, recommendations for camera equipment (24-megapixel or higher), specific color space settings for Adobe applications, and a standardized PDF export process using a custom WE_PRODUCTION_PDF export preset.
The guide offers detailed instructions for calculating image sizes, handling different types of graphics (raster and vector), and preparing final production files. It advises on monitor calibration, color space selection (RGB for pixel-based, CMYK for vector applications), and provides step-by-step instructions for exporting InDesign files as print-ready PDFs. The document emphasizes flexibility in image acquisition, recommending scanning or capturing at the highest available resolution to facilitate potential future use and cropping. The technical guidance is aimed at ensuring high-quality, consistent graphic production for NPS wayside exhibits across various fabrication methods including fiberglass, high-pressure laminate, direct-to-aluminum, and porcelain enamel panels.
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Attachment 23 January 2023 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/SitePages/Production.aspx 1/5
WAYSIDE EXHIBITS
Panel Production Published 1/11/2023
If you used our available grids to design your wayside you are already halfway to producing your wayside exhibit. Our grids include the correct bleed and trim compatible with any panel material and standard NPS base.
Minimum Resolution Requirements
100ppi (pixels per inch) minimum at final size. Do not downsample to 100ppi if your image is larger than 100ppi. More resolution is not a bad thing just unnecessary with current digital imaging technology.
If taking new images we recommend a 24-megapixel camera or higher. While smartphones are getting better every year, we still recommend full-frame sensor cameras for the best results. Certainly, there are exceptions. In many cases, a smartphone camera is better than no camera.
NOTE: 100ppi is the minimum for all digital fabrication methods including fiberglass, high-pressure laminate, and direct-to-aluminum which accounts for almost all panel production. Porcelain enamel requires higher resolutions (200-300ppi) for the best results. If you are considering porcelain, keep the increased resolution requirements in mind when acquiring or creating graphics.
Can I add resolution with software?
The quick answer is it depends. A well-exposed, sharp focused image can often be enlarged dramatically with resizing software such as On1 Resize AI or Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI. While these tools claim 600% enlargements don't expect miracles. A blurry image will still be blurry after it is enlarged. Increasing resolution can in some cases increase details but most often it is designed to hide the appearance of visible pixels. Photoshop's built-in enlarger is often enough to get you those few extra pixels to make a difference.
How do I calculate the final size and resolution?
Most images these days are listed by their pixel dimension. A 24-megapixel camera is calculated by multiplying horizontal by vertical resolution, in this case, 6000x4000 pixels. How does this translate to https://www.on1.com/products/resize/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC06yc9tGEKOLJDwH_btqM3Kjx19To6fT_apIblkOaerUgvBmcNSoRXAaAhimEALw_wcB https://www.topazlabs.com/gigapixel-ai-it-really-works?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gigapixel_search&attribution=true&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC07pMn2FOK16hEP67HrIcpfR2zZf-BgbJLHbS3KIdCilIBwUC6C1YRMaAuhcEALw_wcB https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/SitePages/Production.aspx 2/5 printed size and 100ppi? Divide pixel dimension by the PPI to get printed size equivalent: 6000/100= 60 4000/100= 40: A 24-megapixel image can be printed at 60x40 inches and still meet the 100pi minimum. To avoid doing the math, just use Photoshop's image size panel. Be sure resample is unchecked and dimensions are listed in inches. Set the resolution to 100 to determine the maximum physical size of any image.
If you have a transparency (35mm/4x5/8x10) or printed image the calculation is a bit different. A 35mm slide is physically 36x24mm (1.42x0.945 inches). Scanning at 4000ppi will convert to a 57x38 inch image at 100dpi (4000/100=40 (4000ppi is a 40x times enlargement over 100ppi). Then multiply 40 by the size of the original. (40x1.42=56.8 and 40x0.945=37.8).
If you wanted to know the resolution to scan an 8x10 print to fit a 48" wide wayside assuming you want the long side (10 inches) to be enlarged to 48 inches. Determine the enlargement (48/10=4.8 = 480% enlargement). Using our 100ppi minimum, mulitple 4.8x100=480. Scan at 480ppi to meet the 100ppi minimum.
NOTE: While we have been using the 100ppi minimum to simplify the math, we always recommend acquiring or scanning at the largest available resolution. This will give your image the most flexibility for use in future projects where you may want to crop or use the image at a larger size.
What about vector graphics?
Vector graphics such as those from Adobe Illustrator are resolution-independent. Vector graphics (SVG/EPS/AI) are defined by math, not pixels. While this avoids the need to worry about resolution, you may notice lines that appeared to touch when printed small now are separated when printed or viewed at a massive enlargement. It is good practice to enlarge your images to their final size in Adobe Illustrator to correct any enlargement issues before they are printed.
Color Management
To keep it simple, we will focus on two aspects of color management; calibration, and colorspace.
Calibration: Specifically monitor calibration. Most monitors are come calibrated to be bright with lots and contrast and on the cool side. While this might be great for viewing digital content, it is not ideal for matching printed graphics. Profile your monitor with a hardware calibrator such as those from Datacolor for the most accurate onscreen display of color, brightness, and contrast.
Colorspace: RGB in Adobe Photoshop and other pixel-based applications. Use CMYK for Adobe Illustrator and other vector-based applications. Use either RGB or CMYK in Adobe InDesign, CMYK is easier to understand when specifying and choosing colors. Set your color settings in Adobe Bridge for all Adobe applications. Open Adobe Bridge and select Color Settings from the edit menu.
Choose North American Prepress 2 and click Apply. This will set your RGB colorspace to Adobe RGB and your CMYK colorspace to U.S. Webcoated SWOPv2.
https://spyderx.datacolor.com/ https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/SitePages/Production.aspx 3/5
Color Settings Preference Pane in Adobe Bridge
Preparing Production Files
Instead of sending the InDesign file and all the linked graphics, we have simplified the process down to a single PDF. Most panel manufacturers prefer and even require PDFs. We have created a PDF export option that you can use directly out of InDesign.
1. Download the PDF export options settings file
2. Open Acrobat Distiller (requires Acrobat Pro which is included in the Pro Adobe CC subscription)
3. Select Add Adobe PDF Settings under the Settings menu option. Select the downloaded
WE_PRODUCTION_PDF.joboptions file.
4. Quit Adobe Distiller.
5. Open the Wayside InDesign file or files. Chose Export from the file menu. Select
WE_PRODUCTION_PDF at the top under Adobe PDF Present. Then hit export. The resulting file will be an uncompressed PDF that includes crop marks and bleeds required for fabrication. The file can be hundreds of megabytes depending on the number and size of the images. You may notice lines appear at different zoom levels, these will not print. They are effects of transparency blending.
https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/:u:/r/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/Shared%20Documents/WE_PRODUCTION_PDF.joboptions?csf=1&web=1&e=W9Bx1s https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/SitePages/Production.aspx 4/5
InDesign Export Menu https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/nps-hfc-waysides/SitePages/Production.aspx 5/5
Corner of Wayside Production PDF showing crop marks and bleed
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .