Poster Design Poster Production and Print 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What minimum resolution (DPI) is required for professional-quality print poster images?
- 72 DPI
- 96 DPI
- 150 DPI
- 300 DPI (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 300 DPI
300 DPI (dots per inch) is the professional standard for print files, ensuring sharp detail and smooth tonal gradations on press.
Question 2: What does 'offset lithography' mean in large-scale poster printing?
- Printing with ink jets directly onto paper
- A press method where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket then onto paper (Correct answer)
- A screen-printing technique for fabric posters
- A digital electrostatic printing method
Correct answer: A press method where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket then onto paper
Offset lithography transfers inked images from metal plates via a rubber blanket to paper, producing high quality at large volumes for poster runs.
Question 3: What file format is preferred when submitting a poster design to a professional print shop?
- JPEG
- PNG
- GIF
- PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4
PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 are press-ready PDF standards that embed fonts and convert colors for predictable, accurate print reproduction.
Question 4: What is 'paper stock' and why does its finish matter for posters?
- The brand of printer used
- The type and surface texture of paper, which affects color vibrancy and finish appearance (Correct answer)
- The file size of the poster artwork
- The quantity ordered from a print shop
Correct answer: The type and surface texture of paper, which affects color vibrancy and finish appearance
Glossy stock enhances color saturation and vibrancy while matte stock reduces glare and gives a more sophisticated, readable appearance.
Question 5: What does 'spot UV coating' add to a printed poster?
- A full sheet laminate over the entire surface
- A glossy, raised coating applied to selected areas to create contrast and visual interest (Correct answer)
- A UV-resistant ink that prevents fading outdoors
- A matte finish applied with ultraviolet curing
Correct answer: A glossy, raised coating applied to selected areas to create contrast and visual interest
Spot UV applies a glossy varnish to specific design areas, creating a tactile and visual contrast against matte or dull stock.
Question 6: What is 'trapping' in professional poster prepress production?
- Securing the poster to a printing frame
- A small overlap built into adjacent colors to prevent gaps from misregistration on press (Correct answer)
- Locking all layers in the design file
- Preventing ink from bleeding on recycled paper
Correct answer: A small overlap built into adjacent colors to prevent gaps from misregistration on press
Trapping adds slight overlaps where two adjacent colors meet so slight press misregistration doesn't create white gaps between them.
Poster Design Poster Production and Print 1
What minimum resolution (DPI) is required for professional-quality print poster images?