Tips for Designing a Traffic Box Wrap

Below are tips and steps for designing a traffic box wrap for the Broomfield Public Arts Project.

To get started, download a template file. Templates are also available on google drive.

Unfortunately, the Photoshop template could not be added directly to this step, but is available on google drive.

On each of the templates, there are reference lines to help you see where the vinyl wrap will curve around the box.

Please use the software you are most comfortable with. If you don't have access to Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign), and would like to use it, Adobe Creative Suite is available to use for free at inventHQ, the Broomfield Library's makerspace.

Inkscape is a free open-source vector design program and is available for download at https://inkscape.org/.

In the example project, I will be creating a vinyl wrap designed with a series of photographs so I've just collected the images I want to use in a folder.

These images are not mine and are being used purely for demo purposes. Please design with your own original work.

Assemble your design in the template.

If you plan on using photography as part of your design, it is highly recommended that you vectorize your image. Vectorizing an image means that the pixel color information is converted into simple geometric shapes. If you don’t wish to vectorize your photography, please be aware that raster images may result in artwork that looks pixelated or distorted.

In Inkscape, this can be done by selecting your photograph and clicking Path -> Trace Bitmap

In Illustrator, this can be done by selecting your photograph and clicking ‘Image Trace’ at the top of the screen.

Please note that when working with large images all software will move slower.

If you would like to create an image that is more flat vector shapes, please see instructions for how to draw over an image in Illustrator.

For my design, I’m using example photography and layering the four photos on the four sides of the box.

In Illustrator, use the ‘Crop Image’ tool to size the vector images to fit the four sides.

It is a VERY important step to check your artwork at 100% scale. This can be done by using (CTRL + +) or (CTRL + -) to zoom in and out of your artwork. In the attached image, you can see at the bottom left that this is what the image looks like at 100% scale.

If your artwork looks blurry or pixelated, this is how it will print. If you want assistance with resizing or vectorizing your artwork please visit inventHQ

Only in Illustrator can you preview each individual board.

This can be done by going to File -> Export -> Export for Screens

This will take you to a new window that will show your artwork broken into each side. In the bottom-right, select PDF -> Export Artboard. This will export all the artboards as PDFs that can be previewed easily.

Accepted file types include pdf, tiff, psd, ai, svg, eps, and tiff

Vector formats are preferred and are .pdf or .tiff. Any design software can save these file types.

Illustrator files are .ai, Photoshop files are .psd, Indesign files are .indd (Not an accepted file type and will need to be saved to a .pdf), and Inkscape files are .svg

For my project, I am saving a .pdf of my design for submission.

Upload your design at https://broomfield.submittable.com