Answers to Poster Printing FAQs!

After over 36 years of printing, Wilson Printing has seen quite a bit of poster printing. We also have seen poster printing change - especially with recent integration of QR Codes making posters interactive. So we decided to put together some info on posters!

Answers to Poster FAQs:

What size posters can you print? We can print any size up to 41.5" in one direction. Some typical sizes include 16" x 24", 24" x 36", and 40" x 75".

Do you print high quality art prints? I would like to make a poster of a photo and have it framed. Yes, we can print very high quality art prints and also recommend the best papers for you to use. We recommend that if you plan on framing your print, you should buy the frame first and format your image size to fit the frame. If you have someone print first and it is an unusual size, custom framing can get very expensive.

We need small handouts and posters. What's a good size to design for? A good size for smaller sized handbills is 5.5" x 8.5" and 4.25" x 5.5", and flyers at 8.5" x 11". These sizes allow us to setup multiple copies of your piece on a single page, making it less expensive for you.

Can you print a low cost poster for us? Yes, we can print economical, good quality color posters up to 12" x 18" on our Docucolor color laser printer.

Can you mount posters on a hard backing? Yes, we can mount posters on either black or white foam board / foam core / Gator board / PVC board.

We need posters for outdoor use. Do you print UV resistant posters? Yes, we can print on either gloss stock or vinyl canvas (scrim vinyl) with UV resistant inks for durable outdoor signage our large format printers up to 42" on one length (effective print area is 41.5", the other length depending on length of roll.)

We need a large run of high quality color posters. How large of a poster can you print? We can print large runs of posters up to 19" x 27" in full color on our Lithrone press (offset process.)

Can you customize or personalize posters without us having to submit a design for each version? Yes, we can print customized or personalized posters up to 12" x 18" on our Indigo printer. For example, we can print one poster design and digitally modify each poster to have a different address, or image, or any other element that you would like to be personalized.

Can you print us a poster that will automatically call our ticket office? Yes, we can! (Well, not automatically. We can add QR Codes to your poster design that, when scanned, will call your ticket office.)

For all of your printing needs - posters, business cards, books, brochures, stationary... visit our web site or give Wilson Printing a call today at 805-964-8875!

Wilson Printing - Printer of Choice for Santa Barbara International Film Fest

Wilson Printing is proud to be the printer of choice for the 26th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

In addition to printing the SBIFF brochures, posters and pocketguides - we also printed promotional cards for movies being shown at the SBIFF such as Benavides Born.

While The SBIFF is world re-known for the diversity of films, we recommend you check out some of the excellent Santa Barbara related movies (see list below.)

Benavides Born, directed by Amy Wendel, from Santa Barbara based production company Kapok Pictures:

Luz Garcia, a high school senior in a forgotten Texas town, wants something different than the options awaiting her after graduation. She's earned a ticket out with admission to the University of Texas at Austin, but she can't afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship. It's all or nothing for Luz . . . until nothing stares her in the face.

Tuesday, Feb 1 - 7:20PM Metro 4

Wednesday, Feb 2 - 1:00PM Metro 4

Thursday, Feb 3 - 10:20PM Metro 4

All Alone, directed by Jon Cellini

An intense, character-driven suspense that examines trust, relationships, desperation, sex, and asks the question, 'how alone are we?' And most importantly 'who is getting out of the woods alive?'
Friday, Jan 28 - 10:00PM Lobero Theatre

Bringing King to China, directed by Kevin McKiernan. *World Premier

This film is a father's 'love letter' to his adult daughter, a young Santa Barbara woman struggling to bring Martin Luther King's dream of non-violence to China.

Sunday, Jan 30 - 7:45PM Lobero Theatre

Wednesday, Feb 2 - 4:00PM Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Destination Orcas, directed by Erik Hatch.
*World Premier.

A 16 day skateboard adventure from Santa Barbara, CA to Orcas Island, WA. Four of the most infamous skateboarders in Santa Barbara hop in a rental van and explore the US West Coast.

Saturday, Feb 5 - 9:30PM Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Killing Memories, directed by Pete Pepper.

The story of five men who served together in Vietnam who return to meet their enemies and confront their past.
Tuesday, Feb 1 - 7:00PM Lobero Theatre

Thursday, Feb 3 - 10:00AM Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Last Man in Paradise, directed by Michael James Love, Tina Love.
*World Premier

Filmed in Santa Barbara, a documentary about one man's quest to save a slice of history. An eccentric champion of the history of humble things faces bulldozers as he fights for his unique cabin off Paradise Road.
Monday, Jan 31 - 7:00PM Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Tuesday, Feb 1 - 10:00AM Santa Barbara Museum of Art

That Side of a Shadow, directed by Ricky Fosheim.
*World Premier

Two best friends must rob the gas station they work at in order to pay off a debt.
Sunday, Jan 30 - 7:00PM Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Tuesday, Feb 1 - 10:30PM Metro 4

To Be Friends, directed by Jim Eckhart.

Filmed in Santa Barbara County, this is a story of how unrequited love orchestrates one last chance for two lifelong friends to explore the boundaries and connections of their relationship, finally finding love just as it is lost forever.

Saturday, Jan 29 - 10:00PM Lobero Theatre

Sunday, Feb 6 - 5:00PM Metro 4

6 Generations: A Chumash Family History, directed by Paul Goldsmith.

The story of six generations of Chumash women from the Spanish mission days to the present.
Monday, Jan 31 - 7:00PM Lobero Theatre

Sunday, Feb 6 - 8:05AM Metro 4

Get Your FREE 2011 Desktop Calendar

The famous Wilson Printing desktop calendar is now available! This is our large 17" x 22" format desk calendar with the fish images everyone seems to love. If you don't have a 2011 desk calendar yet, Wilson Printing still has a quantity on hand. Come by and pick up a free one, or call your Wilson Printing rep to bring you one.

Montecito School of Ballet Presents The Night Before Christmas and Les Patineurs

Montecito School of Ballet Presents The Night Before Christmas and Les Patineurs - Friday, December 10 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00pm at the Lobero Theatre

The holiday season brings with it many performances by our local artists. A definite not to miss event is the Montecito School of Ballet performance of The Night Before Christmas and Les Patineurs at the Lobero Theatre. These wonderful ballets performed by some of the most talented, aspiring dancers in our area, are sure to bring joy to all. The ticket prices are also very affordable for this great night of entertainment for the entire family! For more information and to purchase tickets online, please visit the Lobero Theatre web site.


Wilson Printing is proud to be the printer of choice for the Montecito School of Ballet.

Santa Barbara Revels Presents The Christmas Revels at the Lobero Theatre December 18th at 3 & 8 pm December 19th at 3 pm

The Santa Barbara Revels will be presenting their fully staged, elaborately costumed, full-length theatrical production A Victorian Celebration of the Winter Solstice. What makes the Revels production unique and a must-attend event is their hallmark of audience participation: getting people out of their seats to sing and dance. The production truly is an event for all ages - the cast of more than 60 performers range in age from 9 to 79. Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara News-Press, wrote "[Revels] is best experienced as an 'experience', live and onstage and spilling into the audience."

For more information, please visit the Santa Barbara Revels web site. Tickets for the performances can also be ordered online at www.lobero.com.

Wilson Printing is proud to be the printer of choice for the Santa Barbara Revels and the Lobero Theatre.

Santa Barbara Zoo Uses QR Codes to Integrate Print and Online Media

The Santa Barbara Zoo recently used a QR code in their Zoo News newsletter to integrate their print and online media. The QR code directs the reader to a video on YouTube about Zoo Camp. The Zoo's Winter Zoo Camp is about to begin and using a video is a great way to show how fun the camps are for kids.

The Santa Barbara Zoo has also implemented QR codes in their exhibits - making for a whole new experience at the Zoo. When visitors scan the QR codes with their smartphones, the phone's browser opens to an informational and entertaining video about that particular animal.

"This technology allows us to deepen our guests' experience at the Zoo in an innovative, yet inexpensive way," says Zoo CEO Rich Block. "We've looked at many other options for handheld devices that were either too complicated, more costly or could be outdated as technology marches along. Using QR codes couldn't be easier for us and for our guests."

Try it for yourself! Scanning the QR code will direct your smartphone to the Santa Barbara Zoo Camp video.

Wilson Printing is proud to be the printer of choice for the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Integrating Your Print and Online Media With QR Codes

You probably have been seeing more images similar to the one on the left - it is a QR code, linked to a web page. To see what it does, you'll need a smart phone with a QR code reader or bar code reader. Scan the QR code and you're phone's browser should open to a web page on our site www.wilprint.com.

Integrating Print and Online Media
It seems like the ease of use - simply scanning the QR code with a phone rather than typing in a web address – is making this a very popular means of integrating media.

Marketers are coming up with many ways to use QR codes. A QR code can be linked to a web page, used as a Vcard with all of your contact info, used as a VCalendar card with info about an event, automatically dial a phone number or send an email.

Specific examples of QR codes:

1. Use QR code to link to a web page specific to an event – the QR code is placed in a printed piece promoting an event. The user scans QR code and their browser opens bringing them to the web page where they could register for the event or buy tickets to the event.

2. Use QR code as VCard – the QR code is printed on a business card. The user scans QR code and info is automatically entered into their address book on their phone.

3. Use QR code as VCalendar – the QR code is included on an event poster. The user scans QR code and the event info (event title, date, time, location, description) is automatically entered into their calendar on their phone.

Some Things to Keep in Mind:
As with any technology, it is important to test your QR codes. The more text you have, the more complex the QR code - which can result in poor user experience (their reader won't be able to decipher the code.) Certain characters, such as ":" and ";" also need special handling.

Creating QR Codes For Our Customers:
Wilson Printing now offers QR code creation - we can create QR codes linked to web pages, VCards, VCalendars - that we can insert into your printed piece. Give your sales rep a call to discuss how we can integrate your print and online media with QR codes.

www.wilprint.com