How to Prepare Artwork for Custom Apparel Printing

A good print starts with a usable artwork file.

You do not need to be a graphic designer to order custom apparel, but a few file-preparation decisions can make a major difference to how cleanly a logo, illustration or photograph can be prepared for production.

Here is what to check before uploading your design.

Vector artwork is ideal for logos and line graphics

Vector artwork is built from shapes and paths rather than a fixed grid of pixels. That means it can usually be enlarged without becoming visibly pixelated.

Common vector-friendly files include SVG, AI, EPS and vector PDF.

If your designer created a company logo professionally, ask for the original vector version rather than downloading the logo from Instagram or taking a screenshot of the website.

A transparent PNG is useful for raster artwork

PNG supports transparency. That makes it useful when your design needs to sit directly on the garment without a rectangular background around it.

For example, if you have white lettering that should appear directly on a black shirt, a properly prepared transparent PNG can preserve the lettering while leaving the surrounding area transparent.

A PNG is still a raster file, so resolution matters.

A JPG does not have transparency

JPEG/JPG files do not support transparent backgrounds. If the JPG contains a white or coloured rectangle behind the artwork, that background is part of the image.

Do not assume it will disappear automatically. If you need the background removed, tell us before approving the proof.

Resolution matters at the final print size

For raster images, the number of pixels available determines how much detail can be maintained when the image is enlarged. Around 300 pixels per inch at the intended output size is a common high-quality print target for detailed raster artwork.

The important part is “at the intended size.” Changing a tiny image from “72 DPI” to “300 DPI” in an image-properties box does not magically create missing detail. If the file does not contain enough real pixels, enlarging it can still produce soft or jagged edges.

When possible, send the largest original version.

Do not use a screenshot if the original exists

Screenshots often introduce reduced resolution, compression, unwanted backgrounds, interface elements, cropped edges and altered colours.

If the artwork came from Canva, Illustrator, Photoshop or another design tool, export from the original project instead.

Keep important text readable

Small text that looks fine on a laptop may become difficult to reproduce cleanly when reduced on a garment. Check the artwork at approximately the size it will actually be printed.

If your design contains a web address, phone number or thin type, make sure it is still legible. For logos, send the original vector artwork whenever possible.

Be careful with fonts

If a design depends on a specific typeface, a print-ready PDF or artwork with the type converted to outlines can help preserve the intended appearance.

If you’re sending an editable source file instead, include the necessary font information where legally permitted.

The goal is simple: the approved proof should show the text exactly as it is supposed to appear.

Remove anything you do not want printed

Check for backgrounds, crop marks, hidden logos, stray pixels, old text layers, guides and reference images.

Do not rely on the printer to guess which part of the file is intentional.

Think about garment colour

A design is not viewed on a blank white screen once it is printed. It sits on a garment, and the same artwork can feel dramatically different on black, white, grey or a bright colour.

Use the Design Studio to compare the artwork against the selected garment, then review the digital proof before production.

Screen colour is a reference, not a physical guarantee

Phones, laptops and monitors create colour with light. Physical print and fabric reproduce colour differently. Some colours that appear extremely bright on a screen may not look identical on a physical garment.

If a specific brand colour is critical, tell us before production so we can discuss what can realistically be achieved. Do not assume a hexadecimal screen colour is an exact physical colour guarantee — we explain why printed colour differs from your screen in more detail.

If you’re unsure, send the best source file you have

You do not need to solve every technical detail before contacting us. Send the highest-quality original file available and we can tell you whether it is usable before you commit to production. The FAQ covers the file questions we get asked most.