Your Guide to Billboard Design Requirements on Blip

This guide will walk you through all the technical requirements and best practices for formatting and sizing your billboard designs on Blip.

Understanding Billboard Advertising

Before diving into the technical aspects, let's understand what makes billboard advertising unique:

• Viewing Time: Typically 5-10 seconds for passing traffic
• Distance: Viewed from varying distances (close-up to several hundred feet away)
• Environment: Competing with other visual elements in urban or roadside settings
• Audience: Diverse, often in transit (driving, walking, public transport)

These factors significantly influence how we approach billboard design. Keep them in mind as we explore the technical and creative aspects of your Blip campaign.

File Requirements

To ensure your advertisements upload and display properly on Blip, adhere to these essential file requirements:

1. File Format:
   • Acceptable formats: .jpeg or .png
   • Why: These formats provide a good balance of image quality and file size
2. Resolution:
   • Minimum: 72 PPI (Pixels Per Inch) or higher
   • Note: Any resolution higher than 72 PPI won't make a difference in our system
   • Why: 72 PPI ensures clear visibility on digital billboards
3. Color Profile:
   • Required: RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
   • Why: Digital displays use RGB color mode for optimal color representation
4. File Size:
   • Maximum: 2MB or smaller
   • Why: Smaller file sizes ensure faster upload and processing times
5. Dimensions:
   • Varies by billboard (see sections below for details)
   • Why: Different billboards have different aspect ratios and pixel dimensions

Understanding Billboard Dimensions

Billboard dimensions are typically expressed in pixels, using the format:

For example, 1920 x 1080 means the billboard is 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high.

Key points to remember:

• Dimensions vary between different billboards
• Always design at the exact pixel dimensions specified
• Blip provides both "Generic" and "Exact" sizes (more on this below)

Generic vs. Exact Sizes

Blip uses two categories of sizes to streamline the design process while allowing for precision when needed:

Generic Sizes

• These are the minimum sizes needed to start running your campaign
• Blip will automatically resize artwork submitted for these sizes to fit other similar sizes
• Uploading designs in Generic sizes is sufficient for most campaigns

Exact Sizes

• Not required for your campaign to run
• Provide precision for specific billboard dimensions
• You can upload additional artwork in these sizes if you need exact control over how your design appears

Best Practice: Start by uploading designs in the Generic sizes. If you notice any issues with how your ad appears on certain billboards, consider uploading Exact size versions for those specific billboards.

Common Billboard Sizes

While billboard sizes can vary, these are some of the most common dimensions you'll encounter on Blip:

How to Check Required Sizes for Your Campaign

To see all the design sizes needed for the billboards in your campaign:

1. Log into your Blip account
2. Go to your campaign dashboard
3. Click on "Artwork"
4. Scroll to the "Design Sizes" section

Here you'll find:

• A list of all required Generic sizes
• A list of all available Exact sizes
• The number of billboards in your campaign that use each size

Best Practices for Billboard Design

While meeting technical requirements is crucial, creating an effective design is equally important:

1. Keep it Simple: Use large, easy-to-read fonts and limit text to 7 words or less
2. High Contrast: Ensure text stands out against the background for readability
3. Brand Visibility: Make your logo or brand name prominent
4. Clear Call-to-Action: Tell viewers what you want them to do
5. Consider Viewing Time: Remember, viewers often have only a few seconds to see your ad
6. Test at Scale: View your design at different sizes to ensure it works across various billboard dimensions

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you're having trouble with your design, check these common issues:

1. File Too Large: Compress your image or reduce its dimensions
2. Wrong Color Profile: Ensure you're using RGB, not CMYK
3. Blurry Image: Check that you're designing at the exact pixel dimensions required
4. Design Doesn't Fit: Double-check you're using the correct dimensions for each billboard

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the same design for all billboards in my campaign?

A: While Blip can resize your design to fit different billboards, it's best to create versions for each Generic size to ensure optimal display.

Q: What if I can't get my file size under 2MB?

A: Try using image compression tools or reducing the complexity of your design. If you're still having trouble, consider Blip's design services.

Q: Can I use vector files for my designs?

A: Blip currently only accepts .jpeg and .png files. Convert your vector designs to these formats before uploading.

Need more help with your billboard design? Our support team is here to assist. Contact Blip Support