Custom Graphics Options And Limitations
Designing the graphics on your Seven
We have three basic design directions you can take when ordering your Seven:
- Standard graphic designs. We offer:
- Your graphic design applied to your frameset — what we show on this page.
- Designer's Choice is a program where you give one of Seven's graphic designer's free reign to unleash magic.
Each of our processes offers important differences. Review this information carefully to determine which graphic category is best for you.
| Graphic Type | Custom Color Decals | Custom Vinyl | Custom Etched Graphics | Custom Paint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available on these surfaces | Both titanium and carbon | Titanium surfaces only | Both titanium and carbon | |
| Color options | Nearly any printable color. No metallics. | Dozens of colors. Contact Seven for details. Some metallics. | Subtle etched titanium surface; one "color" that is matte titanium compared to Seven's standard titanium brushed finish. | Nearly every color imagineable including metallics and colorshift options. |
| Color match to popular anodized aluminum parts? * | Yes; reasonably close. | Typically no; some exceptions. | No | Yes; very close. |
| Surface texture | Glossy | Some glossy and some matte options. Contact Seven for details. | Matte finish | High gloss to full matte |
| Graphic options | None. Custom color decals are for the decals only. We cannot color match custom graphics. | Some custom graphics available. | ||
| Level of possible graphic complexity | Not applicable. | Low level of complexity. Images must be simple graphics without much color complexity. Otherwise, the graphics will not be durable. | Extremely low. Etching is subtle, so simple, bold graphics are important. | We can provide fairly complex graphics, including fade and fine line work. |
| General price range | About $250 | Starting at $350 | Starting at $395 | Starting at $1,295 |
* Aluminum anodizing color matching: Be aware that anodized colors vary from batch to batch for aluminum. We do our best to match the middle ano color. And while anodizing is translucent, most of the processes we use are not, so no matter how closely we match, it will never be perfect. But we get pretty close.
Designing your own graphics
If you'd like specific customized graphics on your bike, make sure you provide Seven the following:
- File format: EPS.
- Confirm that you have the legal right to use the graphic or language if copyrighted or trademarked.
- Your graphic isn't controversial, meaning that a reasonable person won't be uncomfortable by the image or language.
- Design standards:
- The graphic must be simple: no complex lines, layering, or fades.
- The size is appropriate for bicycle tubing that averages 35 mm (1.375") diameter in the front end.
- Supply color codes if you have specific colors you want.
File format
The following vector file formats are acceptable: EPS, AI, SVG and vector PDF
An EPS file is an encapsulated postscript file.
Not all PDFs are pure vector. If you send us a PDF, make sure it's a vector PDF.
Bitmap formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF need additional graphic design work to convert for use. Basically, redrawing the logo and recreating the font. If we have to do this, we will include a charge for this. If you cannot send a vector file, please send the largest image you can; 300 dpi is ideal. For example, if your graphic is two inches wide, please be sure to send a file 600 pixels wide or more.
Acceptable Graphic Concepts
Before you get too far on coming up with your dream design, make sure your idea follows these important rules.
Legal Rights
Seven can't use logotypes, trademarks, or expressions owned by other companies. If you want to persuade us that you have the right to use a trademarked image or term, provide proof that you've been given the rights to it.
For example, if you want the "dark knight logo" on your bike, we can't do that.
Uncontroversial
We won't replicate words, logos, graphics, code, or idioms that can be construed as controversial by a reasonable person. Seven's name is on this frame so whatever we do implies that we condone the graphic or text's content. When in doubt about whether Seven would find something acceptable, don't do it.
Cryptic imagery or code
The meaning of which has to be shared with Seven in writing before we agree to replicate the design.
Design Standards
Simple graphics
Limit or eliminate complex lines and shapes:
- Etched graphics have to be a single color/layer because etching is only one matte shade of titanium.
- Vinyl graphics can only be two or three colors, depending on the design.
- Painted graphics can be up to five colors. This image cannot have lines thinner than 1.5 mm.
Plan your graphic's size
Keep in mind how small the graphic needs to be. Since the tube diameter is typically about 35 mm or 1.375" diameter, a graphic wider or taller than this may not look the way you want it to. A 1.375" square is small.
Try printing your graphic at the size it will appear on the frame. Make sure that the image detail doesn't get lost or is too small for Seven to reproduce.
Provide color codes or accept Seven's interpretation
Typically, riders take Seven's advice on color specificity. If you'd like "medium blue," we'll recommend a specific blue to match the other colors or graphic elements of your design. Of course, if you have specific colors in mind, please provide Pantone numbers for reference. We can match almost any color in paint. In vinyl, we have a few blues to choose from, so we specify the closest available match.
With any design, we provide you the closest code match before confirming any design.