A beautiful design on screen can print badly if the file is wrong. Low resolution, RGB colours, a flattened JPG with a white box around the logo: these are the most common problems we see at our Putney shop. Fix them before you send the file and the print will match your expectation.
Here is the exact artwork spec we ask customers for, and why each piece matters.
File format: vector or high-resolution raster
Best: vector files (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg)
Vector files scale to any size without losing quality. A logo supplied as a vector prints as crisp on a pocket as it does across the back of a hoodie. If you have a logo designed by a graphic designer, ask them for the vector source.
Acceptable: high-resolution raster (.png, .tiff, .psd at 300 dpi)
Raster files are pixel-based. They can look fine at the right size but pixelate if stretched. Supply them at 300 dpi at the actual print size. If your print will be 25 cm wide, the file should be at least 2953 pixels wide.
Avoid: screenshots, phone photos, images pulled from social media
These are usually 72 dpi and much smaller than they need to be. We can sometimes rescue them but the result is never as sharp as a proper source file.
Colour mode: CMYK for DTG and DTF
Printers work in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Screens show colour in RGB. An RGB file printed in CMYK will shift, usually dulling the bright blues and greens.
Convert your file to CMYK before sending, or flag that it is in RGB so we can preview how the shift will look. For pure screen printing with spot colours, supply Pantone references.
Background: transparent PNG or clearly defined
On a coloured T-shirt, a flat white background around your logo will print as a white rectangle. Save the file as a transparent PNG, or remove the background before sending.
For DTG printing on dark garments, we also add a white underbase layer automatically to make the colours pop. You do not need to add this yourself, but the image must have a clean transparent background.
Print size and placement
Tell us the exact print dimensions in centimetres, and where on the garment you want it. Standard placements:
- Front chest: 8 cm to 10 cm wide, positioned 10 cm below the neckline
- Full front: 25 cm to 30 cm wide, centred on the chest
- Back: 28 cm to 32 cm wide, positioned 8 cm below the neckline
- Sleeve: 7 cm wide maximum
- Pocket: 8 cm to 9 cm wide
If you are unsure, send the artwork with a note like “print at A4 size on the back” and we will advise.
Fonts
If your design contains text, convert the fonts to outlines before saving. This prevents the file from swapping to a different font on our system if we do not have the same typeface installed.
In Illustrator: Select all, Type menu, Create Outlines. In InDesign: File, Package, then tick Include Fonts.
What to include when you send the file
Send this to [email protected] or bring it on a USB to the shop:
- The artwork file (vector preferred)
- Garment and colour (e.g. Gildan Heavy Cotton, Navy)
- Print size and placement
- Quantity
- Any Pantone references
- Deadline
We will review the file and get back within 24 hours with a proof, quote and recommended method (DTG, DTF, vinyl, or embroidery).
Common issues we flag
- Low resolution: pixelation on final print
- Thin lines under 1 pt: may drop out in DTG or screen printing
- Very small text under 6 pt: often unreadable after printing
- Light grey gradients on light fabric: disappear into the garment colour
- RGB-only colour mode: shifts visibly when converted to CMYK
Catching these before we start saves time and reprint costs.
No design? We can help
If you do not have artwork, our custom design service can work from a sketch, rough idea or written brief. Typical turnaround is 2 to 3 working days for a simple logo.
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