How can I print out my infographics?

November 10, 2010 5:52 PM

What's the best way to print my long, thin, dark-background (made-for-the-web!) infographics on paper?

I do freelance infographic design, and I've accumulated a bunch of pieces that I'd like to print out for my portfolio and/or my wall. However, I haven't yet because there are a few issues I'm struggling to figure out.

Most of my infographics are made for a blog web design format (read: tall and thin), and are usually between 650px wide and 3000-5000px tall. About 80% of these are also white text on a black background. Luckily all of the infographics are vector so I can always re-export them to meet paper DPI requirements.

How could I get these printed? Is there an online service that prints posters at weird sizes? Would it be possible to only get 1 or 2 of each printed, or would I have to order a bunch to make it economically feasible? I'm also worried about the background being black, any tips for that? If you want to see the infographics check my mefi profile.

Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

posted by ejfox to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

basically any print shop can do this. It's not like screen printing where they have to make the... screen printing thing so they make you buy a bunch of copies, it's just a printer, they would almost certainly be able to print you 1 or 2, in virtually any size, and cut it down. Just start calling places.
posted by brainmouse at 6:06 PM on November 10, 2010

What you're looking for is commonly called "wide format" printing. Definitely doable. In order to get a price cut you'll likely have to order 50 or more at a go; generally digital printing is done on a "per-click" basis unless you order in sufficient bulk. In my shop, one poster would probably run you between $35 and $70, but you'll probably be able to find it for less online.
posted by lekvar at 7:07 PM on November 10, 2010

Go to any Kinkos, they have large printers that use a spool of paper instead of sheets. You can print one out to be as long as the roll they have in there (ie, you will be fine with whatever size you have).

Alternately, you may want to say where you are currently located because an individual may be able to assist you.

I wanted to make a large poster back in college and from the looks of it, it was going to cost about 100+ dollars for a 4x5 poster which was mostly white (it just had large text on it). I went on Craigslist, posted the image and said I didn't really want to spend more than $20 bucks. Some guy who had access to the printers at his job took me up on my offer and printed me out an amazing poster on thick glossy paper that wouldn't have come close to what I would have spent several times more for elsewhere. Just a thought.
posted by darkgroove at 8:20 PM on November 10, 2010