What We Check Before Production Starts
An artwork check is a practical review of the file you already have, whether it is for a shopfront panel, fleet branding, a municipal notice board or a promotional banner. We look at how the artwork will perform on real materials, in real sizes and under local conditions such as sun, dust, rain and coastal humidity when relevant.
Our team checks the details that matter on the manufacturing side, including line thickness, image quality, font treatment, colour consistency and whether the file will still hold up once it is enlarged. A file that looks fine on a screen can still fail on a 3 metre sign or a vehicle side panel if the setup is wrong.
- Artwork size and proportions
- Image resolution and sharpness
- Fonts, outlines and spacing
- Colour usage for print and vinyl
- Bleed, crop marks and safe areas
How To Send Artwork For Review
Send the artwork through the enquiry form on our contact page and include the sign size, where it will be installed and the material you want to use if you already know it. Sign size, install spot and material tell us whether the file is ready or needs adjustments.
If you are not sure about the final size, give us the board dimensions, vehicle make and model, or the wall measurements on site. We can then check if the artwork will fit properly and whether anything must be resized before print or vinyl cutting begins.
- Final sign size or installation measurements
- File format you have available
- Where the sign will be used
- Any logo, branding or legal text that must stay unchanged
- Deadline for the job
Why Artwork Often Needs Adjustment
Many files arrive with useful content but the setup is not suitable for production. Some images are too small for large format printing, some text has not been converted correctly and some designs are built for screen viewing rather than physical output. That can lead to blurry panels, uneven cuts or colours that shift once printed.
We also check whether the artwork will work on the chosen material. A design for a flat PVC banner is not always suitable for acrylic, aluminium composite or a curved vehicle panel. If the artwork has to be applied outdoors in Pretoria, Centurion or Brits, we also consider fade resistance and how clean the edges will look after install.
When necessary, our graphic design team can prepare the artwork for production so the final result is neat and practical, not just attractive on a monitor.
Production Checks For Signs, Wraps And Promotional Branding
Different products need different checks. A printed sign, a cut vinyl logo and a full vehicle wrap all have their own set of production rules. We make sure the artwork is set up for the correct method, so the manufacturer does not have to guess on site.
For example, a vehicle wrap must allow for door handles, seams and panel joins. A shop sign may need margins for fixing points or a backboard frame. A campaign banner might need extra space for eyelets, ropes or tie points if it will be used across multiple branches.
- Large format printing for banners, boards and posters
- Vinyl cutting for lettering, numbering and logos
- Sign fabrication for built-up or mounted signs
- Vehicle wrap fitting with panel and curve allowances
- Campaign rollout artwork for multiple sites
How We Handle Revisions And Approval
Once we have checked the artwork, we let you know what is ready and what needs correction. If only small changes are needed, such as font conversion, scaling or spacing, we will tell you clearly so you can approve the next step without confusion. If the artwork needs a bigger rework, we explain why and what should be changed before production starts.
This process helps retailers, brands and municipalities keep brand use consistent across branches and sites. It also reduces back-and-forth when several people need to sign off a job. Our operations team and production staff work together, so the feedback you get is based on actual sign requirements and not guesswork.
When To Ask For An Artwork Check
It is best to request an artwork check before printing, cutting or installation is booked. If you are handling a rollout across Hartbeespoort, Pretoria, Tshwane, Akasia, Rosslyn, Soshanguve, Centurion or Brits, this early step can save time on every site. It is especially useful where permit requirements, municipal rules or multiple sign formats are involved.
We recommend sending artwork early if you are working on a new branch launch, a rebrand, seasonal promotion or a maintenance job where the existing sign must match current branding. The sooner we review the file, the easier it is to keep the job on schedule and within budget. Sometimes one small file issue can hold up a whole run, so it is worth checking first.
HM Graphics & Signs works from Hartbeespoort with in-house teams handling artwork and signage projects for Pretoria and surrounding areas.
