Image Craft
Knowledge Hub
Use this Knowledge Hub to prepare for a quote, organize your artwork, compare materials, understand installation requirements, and find the Image Craft solution that fits your space.
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What does Image Craft do?
Image Craft is a grand-format printing company that produces custom visual solutions for branded environments, facilities, events, art programs, fleet vehicles, and public spaces. Our capabilities include environmental graphics, signage solutions, wallcoverings and acoustic solutions, photography and fine art reproduction, along with other industry-related professional services that support planning, prepress, installation, fulfillment, and project management.
Who does Image Craft work with?
We work with interior designers, architects, marketing teams, advertising agencies, general contractors, facility managers, procurement teams, artists, photographers, galleries, museums, and organizations across hospitality, healthcare, education, retail, sports, entertainment, and corporate environments. Long answer short: Most everyone.
Our team adapts its approach to the people involved in the project, whether you are managing a complete branded environment, specifying materials, reproducing artwork, or ordering a single custom piece.
When should I contact Image Craft about my project?
You can involve Image Craft during early planning, design development, material selection, or once your artwork is ready for production.
Early involvement gives our team more opportunity to evaluate surfaces, scale, seams, mounting methods, material performance, shipping, installation, budget, and scheduling before key decisions are finalized. And, of course, production-ready projects are welcome as well. Our prepress team will review the supplied files and specifications before production begins.
Can Image Craft help me choose the right product or material?
Yes. The best solution depends on where the finished piece will be used, the surface receiving it, the desired appearance, expected lifespan, lighting, cleaning requirements, installation method, environmental exposure, and budget.
But that’s where our team comes in to compare materials and production methods, explain the advantages of each option, and recommend an approach that supports both the creative vision and the practical needs of the space.
Can Image Craft support projects of different sizes and locations?
Yes, and that’s really where we excel as a partner to you. Projects can range from one custom print or sign to coordinated programs involving multiple surfaces, versions, locations, or installation teams.
Our professional services can help organize project specifications, approvals, production, packaging, distribution, and installation. Image Craft is based in Phoenix and supports projects across the country. Final service and installation coverage is confirmed during project planning.
How do I request a quote from Image Craft?
Start by completing our custom quote request or contacting an Image Craft representative directly. Share as much information as you currently have, including the purpose of the project, dimensions, quantity, location, artwork status, desired completion date, and installation needs.
Our team will review the request, identify any missing details, and help define the specifications needed for an accurate estimate.
What information should I include with my quote request?
The most helpful quote requests include:
- The project goal or intended application
- Finished dimensions
- Quantity
- Installation or delivery location
- Desired completion date
- Artwork, drawings, elevations, or reference images
- Material preferences, when known
- Photos and measurements of the installation surface
- Mounting, hardware, packaging, or shipping requirements
- Details for each location in a multi-site project
You can begin the conversation before every detail is finalized. Our team will help identify the remaining decisions.
What affects the cost of a custom printing or signage project?
Project pricing is influenced by a number of variables from finished size, quantity, material, printing process, finishing, mounting, hardware, packaging, freight, installation (if needed), site conditions, and schedule.
Complex shapes, specialty coatings, custom fabrication, color proofing, difficult installation access, and individual packaging can also affect pricing. Sharing your priorities early allows us to compare options and build an approach around the project’s visual, functional, and budget requirements.
What affects project turnaround time?
Turnaround depends on artwork readiness, proof approvals, material availability, quantity, production complexity, finishing, fabrication, packaging, freight, site readiness, and installation coordination.
Projects involving several products or locations may require additional planning to keep files, colors, quantities, and delivery schedules organized. Let us know about fixed opening dates, events, construction milestones, or installation windows when requesting an estimate.
Can Image Craft help us work within a defined budget?
Yes. Sharing the target budget early helps our team evaluate the project realistically.
We can compare materials, finishes, construction methods, dimensions, panel configurations, hardware, and installation approaches. These choices can help balance visual impact, durability, and overall cost while protecting the core design intent.
Does Image Craft provide samples, proofs, or site-planning support?
The appropriate review process depends on the product and project risk. Our team may recommend material samples, printed color proofs, mockups, prototypes, site photographs, field measurements, or an installation review.
A small color proof may be appropriate for a fine art reproduction, while a complex environmental graphics project may require elevations, panel layouts, material samples, and site-access planning. Your Image Craft representative will define the recommended approval process before production.
What file format should I submit to Image Craft?
PDF is the recommended file format for all job submissions. Image Craft supports Adobe Creative Suite software within its prepress workflow.
Whenever possible, build your file at the actual finished trim size and submit the PDF at 100% size. For files larger than 200 inches, Image Craft recommends submitting the artwork at 1/10 scale with 1000 DPI accordingly.
Preparing the file at the correct scale helps our prepress team evaluate dimensions, image quality, bleed, paneling, and other production requirements accurately.
Helpful Resource: Download our File Submission Guidelines
What image resolution should I use for large-format printing?
For artwork created at 100% of final size, Image Craft recommends 100 DPI as a general production guideline.
Viewing distance should also be considered. Graphics viewed from farther away can often be produced successfully at a lower effective resolution, which helps keep large files manageable.
Image Craft recommends keeping the total submitted file size under 2 GB.
If you are unsure whether an image has enough resolution for the intended size, send us the highest-quality original file available. Our prepress team can evaluate the effective resolution before production.
How much bleed should I include in my artwork?
Image Craft distinguishes between install bleed and cutting bleed, and they serve different purposes.
Install bleed remains with the intended print and should be included within the requested file dimensions. It provides additional image area that can be used as a buffer during installation and is generally not trimmed away during production.
Cutting bleed is intended to be trimmed during finishing. Image Craft recommends 1/8 inch (.125 inch) of cutting bleed on each side. This extra image area helps prevent unwanted white edges if minor movement or distortion occurs during cutting.
If cutting bleed is not included when the file is submitted, our production team may be able to create it, depending on the artwork and project.
How should fonts be prepared before submitting artwork?
All fonts used within a submitted PDF should be embedded, outlined, or converted to shapes.
Properly preparing fonts helps prevent unexpected substitutions or formatting changes when the file moves into production.
If your project may require future text edits, retain an editable working version of the artwork separately from the production PDF.
What color mode should I use?
Image Craft’s printing devices operate in CMYK color modes. Our systems can accept artwork created in other color modes and convert colors as needed.
For the most consistent results, avoid mixing color modes unnecessarily within the same document. Ideally, the document color mode, linked images, and process colors should use a consistent color space.
If accurate brand or artwork color is especially important, provide Pantone references, previously approved samples, or other color targets when available.
How does Image Craft manage color consistency?
Image Craft uses a color-managed production system based on the G7 method.
Every printer, ink type, and material combination has its own achievable color gamut. Our printing systems are balanced toward a common gray balance to help maintain a similar visual appearance across different production methods and materials.
Some variation can still occur because of factors such as material manufacturing lots, environmental conditions, temperature, ink viscosity, substrate characteristics, and lighting.
For color-critical projects, Image Craft can provide additional proofing and color-matching services to help establish an approved production target.
Can Image Craft match our brand colors?
Yes. Provide current brand standards, Pantone references, previously approved samples, or other established color targets whenever possible.
Because vinyl, fabric, paper, acrylic, metal, wallcovering, and other materials reproduce color differently, our prepress team evaluates color within the context of the final production method.
For projects where color accuracy is especially important, we may recommend a printed proof or material-specific color sample before final production.
Can Image Craft help prepare or adjust my files?
Yes. Our prepress services can help prepare supplied artwork for production.
Depending on the project, this may include:
- File preflight and production review
- Scaling and final-size verification
- Resolution evaluation
- Bleed preparation
- Paneling and seam planning
- Font and linked-file review
- Color-space review
- Basic color correction
- Crop and layout adjustments
- Preparation for different materials, dimensions, or production methods
The scope of original creative design varies by project. Send us your artwork, specifications, drawings, and project goals, and our team can determine what preparation is needed before production.
What should I include when submitting artwork?
For the smoothest production process, provide:
- A production-ready PDF whenever possible
- Artwork built at the correct final size or approved scale
- High-resolution images
- Embedded, outlined, or converted fonts
- Appropriate install and cutting bleed
- Consistent document and image color modes
- Pantone or brand-color references when applicable
- Final dimensions and quantities
- Placement instructions, elevations, or drawings when needed
- Any previously approved samples that should be used as a visual reference
Providing complete files and production information helps reduce revisions and keeps proofing and scheduling moving efficiently.
How are artwork revisions and approvals handled?
Your Image Craft representative will establish the appropriate proofing and approval process based on the project.
Reviews may include digital proofs, printed color proofs, material samples, production drawings, panel layouts, prototypes, or other project-specific approvals.
For color-sensitive work, a physical proof can be especially valuable because the achievable color range varies by printer, ink, and material combination.
Production begins after the required artwork, color, material, and construction approvals are complete.
File Submission Guidelines
Preparing artwork correctly helps improve production accuracy and reduce unnecessary revisions.
Download the Image Craft File Submission Guidelines for recommendations covering:
- PDF setup
- Resolution
- Bleed
- Fonts
- Color matching
How do I choose between a wall mural, wallpaper, and an acoustic wall treatment?
Choose the wall solution according to the visual goal, surface, environment, installation method, and functional needs of the room.
Custom wall murals work well for large-scale imagery, branded graphics, storytelling, and immersive environments. Custom printable wallpaper offers decorative patterns, textures, and several application methods for commercial interiors. Printed acoustic solutions combine visual design with materials intended to reduce echo and improve the acoustic experience of a space.
Our team can compare these options and recommend the appropriate construction for your walls.
What types of graphics can be applied to glass or windows?
Custom window graphics can support branding, privacy, promotions, decoration, and wayfinding.
Options may include full-coverage graphics, perforated one-way-vision film, frosted or decorative films, transparent graphics, cut vinyl lettering, and temporary promotional applications. The best material depends on the glass type, desired visibility, lighting, installation side, exposure, and expected lifespan.
Also, check out our information on digital window film to understand the full scope of possibilities.
Can Image Craft produce graphics for floors?
Yes. Custom floor graphics can transform underused surfaces into branded experiences, promotional displays, directional systems, event features, and wayfinding tools.
Material selection depends on the floor surface, foot traffic, cleaning procedures, slip-resistance requirements, indoor or outdoor use, and the desired length of the installation. Our team will review the application before recommending a floor graphic system.
What types of signage does Image Craft produce?
Image Craft produces signage for branding, identification, navigation, promotion, and architectural environments.
Available solutions include interior signage, dimensional signage, wayfinding signage, outdoor signage, and vehicle and fleet wraps.
Materials, finishes, illumination, mounting, code requirements, accessibility, exposure, and viewing distance are evaluated for each application.
Does Image Craft produce fabric and backlit graphics?
Yes. Our custom fabric displays include SEG fabric graphics, wall-mounted displays, free-standing structures, event graphics, and backlit applications.
Fabric graphics provide vivid color, a clean finished appearance, and flexible display options. They are commonly used in retail, corporate, hospitality, entertainment, sports, healthcare, education, and trade show environments.
What fine art and photographic printing options are available?
Image Craft offers several presentation styles for photography, original artwork, limited editions, hospitality art, galleries, and commercial interiors.
Options include photographic printing, canvas prints, acrylic printing, and UltimateMetal by ChromaLuxe. Select Image Craft reproductions can also receive hand-applied art embellishment for added texture, dimension, and detail.
Our team can recommend a surface and finish based on the artwork, display environment, desired appearance, durability, quantity, and budget.
Can Image Craft produce custom sizes and shapes?
Yes. Many Image Craft products can be produced in custom dimensions, contours, shapes, or multi-panel configurations.
Final construction depends on the material, equipment limits, structural requirements, shipping method, installation access, and finished scale. Oversized pieces may be divided into sections for production, packaging, transportation, or installation. Products such as custom dimensional signage can also incorporate routed shapes, layered materials, stand-offs, and specialized mounting hardware.
Which Image Craft products can be used outdoors?
Several products can be engineered for exterior use, including outdoor signage, building wraps, banners, exterior window graphics, and specialized versions of UltimateMetal by ChromaLuxe.
Outdoor performance depends on the complete construction, including substrate, ink system, laminate or coating, hardware, mounting, orientation, sun exposure, wind, moisture, temperature, and maintenance. Our team will review the environment before recommending materials or estimating expected performance.
Does Image Craft provide professional installation?
Yes. Image Craft provides professional installation services for graphics, wallcoverings, signage, displays, vehicle wraps, and artwork.
Installation planning considers the product, surface, location, access, equipment, safety requirements, schedule, and coordination with other trades. Coverage and installation methods are confirmed as part of the project scope.
What information is needed before installation?
Installation planning may require final dimensions, site photographs, elevation drawings, surface details, paint information, access hours, loading and parking instructions, lift requirements, security procedures, power availability, permits, and safety requirements.
Tell us about existing graphics, surface damage, recent painting, active construction, furniture, equipment, or other conditions that could affect access or adhesion. Accurate site information reduces delays and helps the installation team arrive prepared.
Can Image Craft package and ship finished graphics, signage, or artwork?
Yes. Packaging and shipping are planned according to product size, weight, fragility, destination, and installation method.
Large, delicate, or high-value pieces may require reinforced packaging or custom crating. Multi-part projects can be labeled, organized, and packed by location, room, elevation, installation sequence, or campaign version to support efficient delivery and setup.
Does Image Craft offer on-demand fulfillment?
Yes. On-demand fulfillment services can support repeat orders, distributed locations, seasonal programs, campaign changes, and organizations that need graphics produced and shipped as demand arises.
Programs may include standardized files, approved materials, version control, kitting, individual packaging, location-based shipping, and coordinated production schedules. The fulfillment process is developed around expected order frequency, quantities, destinations, and service requirements.
What happens after I approve a quote?
Once the scope and estimate are approved, the project moves through artwork review, material confirmation, production planning, proofing when required, printing, finishing, fabrication, quality review, packaging, and delivery or installation.
Your Image Craft representative or project manager will communicate required approvals, important milestones, and scheduling details. Complex projects may include additional coordination for site measurements, material samples, prototypes, freight, installation teams, and multiple delivery locations.
EXPLORE OUR CAPABILITES
Solutions for Every Surface. Every Space.
Environmental
Graphics
Transform walls, windows, floors, fabric, buildings, and event spaces with custom graphics designed for the environment.
Signage
Solutions
Create interior, dimensional, wayfinding, outdoor, and vehicle graphics that support branding, navigation, and promotion.
Wallcovering &
Acoustic Solutions
Use printed wall surfaces and custom printed sound-absorbing treatments to shape how an interior looks, feels, and functions.
Photography & Fine
Art Reproduction
Produce photography and artwork on canvas, photographic papers, acrylic, metal, and other specialty surfaces.
EXPLORE WHO WE SERVE
Solutions Built Around Your Projects.
Art & Design
Professionals
Bring creative concepts to life with custom printing, fine art reproduction, specialty materials, and production support built for design-driven projects.
Corporate &
Hospitality
Create branded, welcoming environments with custom artwork, signage, wallcoverings, graphics, and visual solutions designed for commercial spaces.
Sports &
Events
Transform venues and events with bold graphics, signage solutions, banners, displays, and branded environments built for high-impact experiences.
Ready to Plan Your
Next Big Project?
Share your goals, artwork, dimensions, location, and timeline. Our team will help define the right materials, production method, finishing, logistics, and installation plan.
Connect with us now for a personalized consultation. Let’s create something beautiful together!