Exporting large artwork to a client

Question

Hello, I'm working in CS4.  I'm creating posters that about 5 x 8 ft for a client.  However, she wants them to be set up so she can just email them to the buyers.  By the time I'm done, the size of the file is huge.  So I pushed the resolution down to 150 but don't want to go down much farther.  Any suggestions.
Thank you,
Ragauckas99

Answer 1

I also design large scale designs in Illustrator CS4 for clients, here is my approach:
What format do they need it in to be printed? I usually send them a .pdf exported from Illustrator - depending on how much raster artwork is in the design the files can be small or very large. If large - I use an ftp server to get them to the client (I upload, they download). If they cannot access that I use yousendit or something similar (yousendit max, free is 100Mb). I would be careful not including a profile however - depending on how much control over color management you want. If blue and purple are the same thing to you, don't worry about it.
If they do not want a .pdf I sometimes export a .tiff - but those files can also be large.
For proofs I do screenshots, or export small .jpgs.
You might also ask the client who they are sending it to be printed through - and interface with them directly - most printing places will have ftp - or another way to get large files to them - especially if they print large scale.
If all else fails we sometimes Fed Ex a disc. Sounds old fashioned, but people don't get as confused as they do with ftp/yousendit etc.
Just some ideas..