For Printing

  • Vector (AI / EPS / SVG) is best — scales cleanly to any size, no pixelation.
  • Raster (PNG / PSD) is fine at 300 DPI at print size, with no compression artefacts.
  • Colour mode: RGB for DTG, Pantone / solid spot for screen print matching.
  • Add 3–5 mm bleed and keep key elements away from edges.

For Embroidery

Send a vector file (AI / EPS / SVG) with the design at the actual embroidery size. Keep it to 1–4 solid colours — gradients and tiny text do not convert to thread well. We will review stitch count and simplify if needed before sampling; you always approve the proof.

Accepted File Formats

Format Type Use
AI / EPS / SVG Vector Both print & embroidery — preferred
PNG / PSD Raster (300 DPI) Print, photo art
PDF Either Acceptable if vectors are embedded

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Low-res JPG pulled from the web — prints blurry, embroidery misreads.
  • Tiny text in a print — keep body text above 6 pt at print size.
  • Too many colours for embroidery — simplify to 1–4 solid tones.
  • No size given — always state the print or logo dimension in cm.

Why It Pays to Get This Right

A clean file means your sample is right the first time — no re-proofing, no delay, no extra cost. Even a 1-piece POD order looks professional when the artwork is prepared well.

How to Size & Place

  • State the decoration size in cm — e.g. 'logo 8 cm wide, 10 cm from left shoulder seam.'
  • For all-over or back prints, give a placement sketch or mark it on a flat product photo.
  • Keep critical elements inside the safe zone — at least 2 cm from neck, hem and seams.
  • If unsure, ask for our placement template before art finalising.

Our File Review Flow

  1. You send files + size / placement notes.
  2. We check format, resolution, colour mode and safe zones within 24h.
  3. We flag issues and propose fixes — no silent changes.
  4. You approve the adjusted file; we proceed to sample.

Vector or Raster: Which File Do You Actually Need?

The single most common reason a print or embroidery sample fails is not the artwork design — it is the file format. Vector and raster files are not interchangeable, and each decoration method needs one of them.

Format What it is Scales cleanly? Required for
AI / EPS / SVG / PDF (vector) Shapes defined by maths Yes, to any size Embroidery digitising, screen print separations, cut files
PNG (raster, transparent) Pixels with transparency No — enlarging blurs DTG and DTF printing when no vector exists
JPG (raster, no transparency) Pixels on a background No Reference only — avoid for production
PSD (layered raster) Pixels with editable layers No Artwork handling, not usually production

The practical rule: if the artwork will be embroidered, or will be printed at a size larger than its native resolution allows, you need vector. If it will be digitally printed at roughly its native size on a dark garment with fine gradients, a high-resolution transparent PNG is usually the better input.

Bleed, Safe Margin and Placement

Most artwork that "looked fine on screen" fails for one of three geometric reasons. Getting these right before you send the file saves a full sample round.

  • Bleed — for all-over or edge-to-edge prints, extend the artwork 5–10 mm beyond the final trim line. Cutting tolerance means the blade will not follow your artwork exactly.
  • Safe margin — keep type and critical elements at least 10–15 mm inside the print boundary. Anything closer risks being clipped by the seam or the cut.
  • Placement — give measurements from a fixed reference point, usually the centre front neckline or the shoulder seam, not "about 7 cm down". A dimension is verifiable; an approximation is not.
  • Scale reference — include the intended print width in centimetres on the file itself. A print scaled to 28 cm and one scaled to 30 cm look identical on screen.

Pre-Submission Checklist

Run through this list before you send artwork to any factory. It takes two minutes and prevents most of the back-and-forth that delays a sample.

  • Correct format for the decoration method (see the table above).
  • All fonts converted to outlines, or the font file supplied.
  • Colour mode set correctly — spot colours named for screen print, CMYK or RGB checked for digital.
  • Transparency flattened, or the layered file supplied along with the flat version.
  • Print width and height stated in centimetres.
  • Placement dimensioned from a fixed reference point.
  • For embroidery: minimum line thickness respected, and fine detail removed or simplified.
  • For dark garments: a white underlay or a light outline considered, so dark-on-dark artwork stays readable.

FAQ

Can you fix my file for me?

Often yes. Simple clean-ups (upscaling vector, fixing bleed, converting colour) are part of our review. Heavy redraws we quote first.

What if I only have a JPG logo?

For print it may pass at small size if high-res; for embroidery we will re-draw it as vector, which we quote as a small artwork fee or fold into sampling.

Do you keep my files on file for reorders?

Yes — approved artwork is saved against your tech pack, so reorders pull the same file with no re-submission.