Artwork for large boat decals, new to working this large not sure where to start?

[cp45743776]

Very new to posting, first time.  I was asked to do some artwork for a large print decal for on a boat.  I have done a lot of rasterized work in photoshop but for something this large, I assume Illustrtator is the best option.  I see some real detailed work with gradients, emboss, drop shadows, 3d effects, etc... Is this possible in illustrator and does it keep the the resolution crisp or does it have to rasterize it.  I have used styles in photoshop to do these types of effects before.  Do I need to start my file at the large size or if I keep proportions the printer can scale it appropriatly?  Does the file size stay managable, compared to a rasterize version at this large size?

in short -

- Do effects, gradients, mesh tool, etc. stay vector and scale appropriatly?

- Do I need my file document size to be approx. 20 feet or can it be smaller same proportions?  Does this effect file size?

- is there a way to do detailed wave water effects with gradients, highlights, shading in illustrator similiar to photoshop styles?  I can post an example...

Again sorry for so many questions, I just can't find any simple answers doing search for this.

thank you!

[Jacob Bugge]

cjp,

The entire Workspace is 16384 pt ~ 19' (a little less), so I believe you need to work in scale. If you work at 1:12 you can use the same figures in " and increase the resolution of anything raster so that it becomes 12 times that needed at the final size, which the printer can tell you. The printer will be used to scaling up, and able to tell you the reqired resolution at full size. Talk to the printer.

Images are raster, of course, some effects are also raster. You can use Effect>Document Raster Effects Settings and set that 12 times the required value at full size, and then you have no need to worry about effects.

You can also calculate the required size of raster images in pixels x pixels at full size (multiplying the actual full size in inches by the required resolution at full size), and then just use that size in the downscaled document.

All vector artwork is resolution independent, so unless it is almost all raster you will get a much smaller file size when keeping it vector.

[cp45743776]

Thank you for the quick response!  I understand then about the document size. 

I have had some luck getting the desired look in illustrator with the mesh tool which is giving me smooth gradient type effects.  Do the mesh tool gradients scale up properly for print or do they become rasterize since they are not simple flat shapes?   I guess if I go that route with mesh tool will it be okay come print time 🙂

[Jacob Bugge]

cjp,

I was editing my post when you wrote yours.

As I said, you are completely safe whichever kinds of artwork/effects you use if you set the Document Raster Effects to 12 times the required value at full size (or similarly at other scales).

[cp45743776]

awesome thanks!!

[Jacob Bugge]

You are welcome, cjp.

[Monika Gause]

First of all pick up the phone and contact the printing service as to what you can or cannot do and which kind of artwork they can process.