How To: Extensions
Extensions (aka: top outs, cut outs, extenders, embellishments, etc.) are elements on a board that extend beyond the normal live area of a structure. They are used to extend design elements beyond the normal boundaries of the structure. The uncommon shape and extra size works well to draw even more attention to the billboard ad.
Creating and Sizing Extensions in
Photoshop
This is an illustrated tutorial explaining the process of creating and sizing extensions in a Lamar Graphics Photoshop template.
In this example we'll
be making the star burst element of this design an extension. The canvas size is
highlighted in orange to the right. 
Step 1.
The first thing that needs to be done is to extend the canvas to make room for the
extension. We've added 400 pixels to the height of this document by anchoring the
bottom of the canvas. A good rule of thumb is to add about a 108 pixels for every
linear foot to extend off the board. 
Step 2. With the extra canvas in place we can enlarge and move the
star burst element up and over the top of the board to create the extension. 
Creating and Sizing Extensions in
Illustrator, InDesign & Quark
The previous section describes how to create a snipe as well as how to calculate it's size. This next section takes Snipes one level further by setting the file up for the Ultra printing process. The Ultra Hi-res machines are used to print on the sticky back substrates. These Ultra Hi-res machines print at 36ppi, exactly 4 times higher resolution than the standard 9ppi of the original file.
Step 1. Complete steps 1 through 6 in the previous section
before beginning this step. Go to the Image>Image Size.
Click on the Resolution field shown to the right. 
Bonus 2. Change the resolution from 300ppi to 1200ppi. Make
sure the Resample Image option is checked and click OK. 
Bonus 3. Open Image>Image Size again.
This time Uncheck Resample Image.
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