Artwork & Print Preparation Guide
Getting Your Artwork Ready for Custom Printing
Good artwork helps produce a cleaner print, a more accurate quote, and fewer delays before production.
You do not need to be a graphic designer before contacting us. If you have a logo, design, sketch, photo, Canva file, or even an older image that you are unsure about, send what you have and we can review it.
This guide explains what makes artwork easier to print and what information is useful when preparing a custom apparel order.
Vector vs. Raster Artwork
One of the most important differences is whether your artwork is vector or raster.
Vector Artwork
Vector files are built from shapes and lines rather than individual pixels. They can usually be enlarged without becoming blurry or losing detail.
Common vector file types include:
• AI
• EPS
• SVG
• Certain PDF files
Vector artwork is especially useful for:
• Company logos
• Text-based designs
• Simple illustrations
• Spot-color screen printing
• Designs that may need to be resized
If you have the original logo files from a designer, there is a good chance one of these formats may be available.
Raster Artwork
Raster images are made from pixels.
Common raster formats include:
• PNG
• JPG / JPEG
• TIFF
• PSD
Raster artwork can print very well when the original file is large enough and has sufficient resolution.
Problems usually occur when a small web image or screenshot is enlarged beyond its original size.
Why Resolution Matters
A logo may look sharp on a phone or computer screen but become blurry when enlarged for the front or back of a shirt.
As a general rule, artwork intended for printing should be supplied at the largest and clearest size available.
Whenever possible, avoid sending:
• Screenshots of logos
• Images copied from social media
• Small website graphics
• Logos downloaded from email signatures
• Images that already appear blurry when enlarged
If that is the only artwork you have, send it anyway. We can review it and let you know whether preparation or cleanup may be required.
Transparent Backgrounds
For many designs, a transparent background is preferable to an image placed inside a white rectangle.
A transparent PNG, for example, allows the artwork itself to be separated from the background.
This can be particularly helpful when printing on colored garments.
If you are exporting artwork from a design program, choose a transparent background when appropriate.
PDFs Are Not Always the Same
PDF can be an excellent artwork format, but simply saving a low-resolution image as a PDF does not automatically make it print quality.
A PDF may contain:
• True vector artwork
• High-resolution images
• Low-resolution images
• A combination of all three
We can inspect the file and determine whether it is suitable for production.
Canva Artwork
If your design was created in Canva, sending the original design link can sometimes be helpful.
When exporting from Canva, a high-quality PDF or transparent PNG may be preferable depending on the design and printing method.
Avoid reducing the file size unnecessarily before sending it.
Artwork Size and Print Placement
It helps to tell us approximately where you want the artwork placed.
Common locations include:
• Left chest
• Full front
• Full back
• Upper back
• Sleeve
If you know the approximate printed width you want, include it with the quote request.
If you are unsure, that is fine. We can help determine a practical size based on the garment and design.
Small Text and Fine Detail
Very small lettering, extremely thin lines, or highly detailed artwork may not reproduce the same way on fabric as it does on a computer screen.
Fabric has texture, and ink interacts with that surface differently from digital artwork.
If a design contains very fine detail, we may recommend adjusting:
• Letter size
• Line thickness
• Spacing
• Overall print size
The goal is to preserve the look of the design while making sure it prints cleanly.
How Print Colors Affect Artwork Preparation
For traditional screen printing, individual colors in the design may need to be separated for production.
A one-color logo is generally simpler to prepare than artwork containing several separate colors.
When submitting artwork, you do not need to determine the screen count yourself. We can review the file and identify the production requirements.
For dark garments, some designs may also require a white underbase so the visible colors remain bright.
Gradients, Photographs and Full-Color Artwork
Artwork containing:
• Photographs
• Gradients
• Shadows
• Very high color counts
• Complex color transitions
may require a different approach from traditional spot-color screen printing.
Depending on the design, another printing method or a more specialized screen-printing process may be appropriate.
We review the artwork before production so the decoration method can be matched to the design.
Converting a Logo From a Photo or Screenshot
Sometimes the only available version of a logo is a photo, screenshot, business card, old shirt, or small web graphic.
In some cases, the artwork may need to be recreated, cleaned up, or converted into a production-ready format.
If artwork preparation is required, we will let you know before production begins.
A $25 artwork preparation fee may apply when artwork requires cleanup or production preparation.
Before Sending Your Artwork
A few quick checks can help:
• Send the original file whenever possible
• Avoid screenshots if a better file exists
• Use the highest-resolution version available
• Include fonts or convert text to outlines when appropriate
• Let us know if specific colors are important
• Tell us where the design should be printed
• Include the garment color if known
• Do not enlarge a small image just to make the file dimensions bigger
What Should You Send With Your Quote Request?
For the smoothest review, include:
1. Your artwork or logo
Send the best file you currently have.
2. Garment type and color
For example, black T-shirt, navy polo, grey hoodie, etc.
3. Approximate quantity
This helps determine the most practical production method.
4. Print location
Front, back, left chest, sleeve, or other placement.
5. Approximate print size
If known.
6. Deadline
Especially if the order is needed for an event.
Not Sure If Your Artwork Is Good Enough?
Send it.
We would rather review the artwork you already have than have you delay your quote because you are unsure whether the file is usable.
If changes are needed, we can explain what needs to be corrected before production begins.