Artwork Guidelines
Great results start with good artwork.
Have a finished design, a rough sketch, or just an idea? We can help. Sending the best files available gives us a strong starting point and helps keep your project moving. If you’re unsure whether your artwork will work, send what you have—we’ll review it and recommend the next steps.
What to Send
Along with your artwork, please include:
- Your original design file. Editable files are preferred whenever available. A PDF copy is helpful, too.
- Your preferred print size. Tell us approximately how wide or tall you want the design. If you’re unsure, we can recommend a size.
- The design location. Let us know where it should appear, such as the left chest, full front, back, or sleeve.
- Garment styles and colors. These help us determine how to prepare your artwork.
- Color requirements. Include any specific Pantone references or brand guidelines.
- Your deadline. Allow time for artwork preparation, revisions, approval, and production.
For designs with multiple locations, identify which artwork belongs in each location.
File Quality Matters
Vector artwork: best for most logos and lettering
Vector artwork can be resized without losing sharpness, making it an excellent choice for logos, lettering, and illustrations.
Preferred formats include AI, EPS, SVG, and vector PDF. Keep an editable original and send a copy with fonts converted to outlines.
A file’s extension doesn’t guarantee that it contains vector artwork. Placing a low-resolution image inside an Illustrator or PDF file won’t improve its quality.
Raster artwork: useful for photos and detailed images
Raster files are made of pixels. They can work well for photographs, painted artwork, and detailed designs when they have enough resolution.
For raster artwork, aim for 300 pixels per inch at the intended print size. For example, a design printed 10 inches wide should ideally be 3,000 pixels wide.
Send the original, highest-quality file available. PSD, PNG, TIFF, and high-quality JPG files can all be useful. Keep layers intact when possible.
Avoid enlarging small images
Screenshots, social media images, and small website graphics often lack the detail needed for a clean print. Enlarging them—or simply changing their resolution setting—doesn’t restore missing detail.
If that’s all you have, we can assess whether the artwork needs cleanup or recreation and explain any associated costs.
Fonts, Colors & Special Effects
Keep lettering accurate.
Convert fonts to outlines in vector files so your lettering retains its appearance when opened on another computer. Keep a separate editable version in case changes are needed, or send us both files.
For names, lists, or other text we’ll be adding, provide a typed, copyable document and double-check spelling before sending it.
Tell us which colors matter.
Colors can look different from one screen to another and may reproduce differently depending on the fabric and printing method.
If a specific brand color is important, provide its Pantone reference. We’ll explain matching options, production considerations, and any additional charges.
Leave artwork editable when possible.
For layered designs, send the complete composition along with the original layered file. This helps us make adjustments and prepare the artwork for production.
Gradients, shadows, transparency, and photographic effects may require special preparation. You don’t need to remove them before contacting us—we’ll recommend the best approach for your project.
Understand solid colors and halftones.
Solid ink creates an even area of color. Halftones use small dots to create shading, gradients, and the appearance of additional tones.
Both can produce great results, but they have different looks. We’ll help determine which approach suits your artwork, garments, and budget. Unless we request otherwise, leave halftone preparation to us.
Artwork for Embroidery
Embroidery reproduces your design with thread, so it requires different preparation than printing. Small lettering, fine lines, and tightly packed details may need to be enlarged, simplified, or spaced farther apart.
Artwork must also be digitized—converted into stitch instructions for the embroidery machine. A JPG, PDF, or vector file is a starting point for this process, rather than a file the machine can sew directly.
If you already have an embroidery file from a previous project, send it along with a picture of the finished embroidery, if available. We’ll review its suitability for your selected products and design size.
Review Your Proof Carefully
Before production, you’ll receive a proof showing the proposed design and placement. Check spelling, artwork, colors, dimensions, and locations, and send any requested changes together in one clear list.
Proofs communicate the planned result. Screen colors and on-screen proportions may differ from the finished product, and placement can vary slightly during production.
Need Design Help?
You don’t need to be a designer to create great custom merchandise. Bring us your logo, inspiration, sketch, or idea, and we’ll help turn it into artwork suited to your project.
Your first hour of design work is included with your order. If additional design time or specialized preparation is needed, we’ll explain the costs before proceeding.
Not sure where to start? Send what you have. We’ll take a look together.
