Project types

Choose a project type by how the finished piece will be used.

Start with the use, location, size, and quantity. Then identify the artwork, display method, and open questions. A family name helps organize the brief; it does not confirm a configuration, price, availability, or production route.

Choose your planning path

• A single project. Use the questions and family notes below to describe the finished piece. You can start with estimates and unfinished artwork if you identify them clearly.
• Coordinated commercial work. Several locations, reviewers, or related pieces need a shared brief. Use For business to separate common requirements from location-specific details.
• A repeat job. Start with Reorder planning to distinguish an intended repeat from changed or uncertain work. Earlier specifications should not be assumed current.

Start with the job, not a material name

• What should the finished piece communicate, and where will people view it?
• Will it be used indoors, outdoors, on a surface, in a holder, or as a freestanding element?
• What are the finished dimensions, quantity, and number of unique designs?
• How should it be displayed, mounted, hung, packed, or organized by destination?
• Is the artwork ready, still changing, or dependent on measurements and finishing decisions?
• Are there access, traffic, removal, installation, approval, or regulated-use questions?

Details that can create a different specification

List changes to size, shape, side count, surface, environment, quantity, artwork, finish, hardware, destination, or display method explicitly. Any of these can change the specification. Keep unknown details as open questions rather than replacing them with assumed defaults.

Nine project families

1. Banners. Consider this direction for a flexible hanging graphic. Record finished size, viewing distance, indoor or outdoor context, hanging approach, quantity, and unique layouts. Oversized formats, panel joins, hardware, wind conditions, site access, and special delivery require individual review. Read the banners guide
2. Rigid signs and yard signs. Start with the environment, dimensions, shape, one- or two-sided artwork, mounting approach, and destination. Substrate, thickness, cuts, holes, stakes or hardware, structural questions, and shipping limits remain part of specification review. Read the rigid signs guide
3. Posters and mounted displays. Identify the visible area, frame or holder, finished size, display method, quantity, and number of layouts. Distinguish a print-only concept from a mounted presentation. Assemblies, special edges, large panels, and venue requirements need review. Read the posters and mounted displays guide
4. Window graphics. List each pane and note its dimensions, viewing direction, inside or outside application, desired visibility, existing graphics, and access conditions. Film selection, glass compatibility, paneling, measurement responsibility, removal, and installation cannot be assumed. Read the window graphics guide
5. Wall and floor graphics. Describe the surface, condition, overall dimensions, obstacles, traffic, intended duration, and access. Surface preparation, material suitability, safety evidence, paneling, installation, and removal require project-specific review. Read the wall and floor graphics guide
6. Decals, stickers and labels. Begin with the application surface, exposure, finished size and shape, quantity, number of designs, and preferred delivery format. Piece, sheet, or roll concepts are not interchangeable. Adhesive, finish, variable information, and special handling require confirmation. Read the decals, stickers and labels guide
7. Canvas prints and wraps. Define the intended presentation, crop, edge treatment, finished dimensions, quantity, and panel count. Separate print-only concepts from finished-wrap concepts. Construction, image extension, color expectations, and packing need review. Read the canvas prints and wraps guide
8. Acrylic and custom fabrication. Prepare a sketch or dimensioned concept showing geometry, intended use, material preference, assembly, and mounting questions. Processes, compatibility, dimensions, tolerances, edge treatment, structural needs, electrical dependencies, and code responsibilities require individual review. Read the custom fabrication guide
9. Commercial sign programs. Organize the brief by location, message, size, quantity, artwork version, project phase, destination, and approval responsibility. Site measurements, mounting, installation, regulated-signage responsibilities, packing, change control, and fulfillment sequencing require coordinated review.

Once you have a working brief, use Artwork preparation to connect each design version to its intended size and presentation. Final file settings depend on the specific product and finish.