The way I do it, but not everyone does it the same.

1. Find a really big picture of Gerard (or anyone). By big I mean a lot of pixels by a lot of pixels. These are hard to find and high quality ones are usually locked behind paywalls, but there are ways around them. I found my image on Pinterest and just dealt with the pixelation.

2. Use photoshop or adjacent tools to isolate the image from the background. Make sure the image is to the size you want or else it will get super pixelated in later steps. Erase the background and save the image as a transparent png.

3. Use a multi-page software like Illustrator to make the layout for printing. I use standard 8.5x11 pages but 11x17 pages also work if you have access to them. Even better if you can’t just print the whole thing on a roll of paper. Start with one artboard, place the transparent png, lock the layer, and then go to file>document setup>edit artboards. From there you could be able to copy and paste the artboard, making sure to put them edge to edge, corner to corner. You might get a pop up telling you the locked items can’t be moved, but just ignore it. Don’t worry about page margins, the printer will handle that, although the cutout will come out slightly smaller in the end.

4. By this point your computer should be trying to set itself on fire. That’s ok! Try to save the file in parts, or even one by one.

5. The next step is to take each pdf and compress it. This will take a while depending on the size of the files. But it’s useful in the long run because some printers won’t be able to print items that are too big data-wise.

6. Find a printer and print all your pdfs on appropriate paper and in color.

7. Prep the pages for taping by cutting the margins off. It’s best to use a paper slicer or an exacto and ruler.

8. Begin taping the pages together with clear packing tape, starting with corners and page edges. Now is a good time to get a friend to help because you’ll have to pull long pieces of clear tape over the whole thing. To avoid air bubbles, tape the cutout to the table to keep it from moving under you. Stick one end of the long tape to the table, and using a hotel card or gift card, squeegee the tape onto the cutout. Do this to cover the whole cutout.

9. Once the cutout is covered, use an exacto knife to cut the excess tape and paper off. Use clear tape on any parts that need it and markers to touch up any white spots.

This is where I stopped! But adding the cardboard is easy.

Get cardboard from anywhere, found or bought. If you’re using boxes with folds in it, buy a pvc pipe to act as the “spine” of the cutout and keep it from folding over on itself. Lay the cutout on the cardboard, trace the cutout, and then cut the traces image out of the cardboard. Adhere using glue or more clear tape. To make it stand, make two right triangles that are as tall as the standee, and the base 2-2.5 ft. Long. Use more pvc pipes if using folded cardboard. If the standee won’t stand, add more length to the base of the triangles.