ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
The following information will help you with understanding and preparing your artwork files for SCREEN PRINTING, EMBROIDERY, or PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS.
If you have any questions, please CALL US.
Vector Files Vs. Raster Files
We prefer Vector Artwork (.ai, .eps). Vector images can be scaled up or down without losing detail or affecting the print quality. If someone else created the artwork for you, it is always worth asking for the vector artwork. Please note, taking raster art (.psd, .jpeg, etc) and placing it inside a vector file format does not make it a vector. This happens frequently and is a time-consuming fix for not only us, but it could delay your order or create costly artwork fees for you.
If you are creating your file in Adobe Illustrator or another Vector-based software, just size your image to the size you want it to print. Please see below for font/text.
Raster Files include: .psd, .jpeg, .tiff, .png, .gif, .bmp.
If you don’t have access to the Vector Artwork (above), we suggest that you prepare your file at 300 dpi to the size you want the shirts printed. If your file is not 300 dpi to size, you cannot just increase the resolution to 300 dpi. This will result in a blurry, pixelated image that is unusable for our printing purposes.
Whichever of the raster formats you provide, the artwork should be to print size and 300 dpi. If they are not provided this way, we can’t guarantee that the print quality will match your original image.
Artwork Not Accepted
Artwork file types that are not appropriate for screen printing:
PDF, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and/or Publisher file types. Please do not submit any of these types of files. See below for appropriate types of files that can be submitted.
Accepted File Types
We accept the following File Types:
- Illustrator/Vector (AI or EPS) – Most Preferred.
- Photoshop (PSD) – Acceptable at 300 dpi, set to print size.
- JPEG/PNG/GIF/TIFF – Supply these as a last resort.
Size Your Design
Your design should be sized to the size you want it printed. This will be easy in Illustrator.
However, in Photoshop, be careful. If you want your design printed at 9” wide, please make sure the actual design within the file is 9” wide, and not just the background size of the document.
Fonts
When you’re using non-standard fonts, it is essential that you expand your text. If you are creating your file in Adobe Illustrator, you will need to choose “Create Outlines” on all your text. This allows us to open the file without requiring the font.
When requesting that we create your logo/artwork and you want to choose a font, we require that you choose a font from the website dafont.com and provide us with the name of the specific font(s) you want to be incorporated into your logo/artwork.
File Separation
Do not separate your files for us. We ask that you save your artwork as a complete piece (layers are okay and sometimes useful) at the size you require it printed.
Inks And Pantone
We do not charge for custom ink colors; however, we do ask that you specify the Pantone from a Solid Coated Pantone Guidebook. Solid Coated Pantone Guides best match our printing colors. Do not use a Solid Uncoated Pantone Guide, these colors will never match our inks. It’s critical to only choose the Pantone from a physical copy of the book, in order to get an accurate match. We have one in our office for use with placing orders.
Preparing Artwork For Embroidery
Please supply a Vector file or clean image file in JPEG format of your artwork. The resolution doesn’t need to be that high (300 dpi is ideal, higher is better and Vector is always preferred), as long as the colors are clear and not distorted by excessive compression. The only files that will be accepted for embroidery will be either a Vector file or a JPEG file.