What file format do you need for custom printing?

A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF) is ideal because it scales to any size without losing quality. A high-resolution PNG at 300 DPI at the size it will print also works for most designs. Avoid small images pulled from social media or websites - they are usually too low-resolution to print sharp.

What resolution should my design be?

At least 300 DPI at the actual print size. A logo that looks fine on a phone screen is often far too low-resolution for a 10-inch chest print, so start from the largest, cleanest version you have - or a vector file, which sidesteps resolution entirely.

Why does my logo need to be clean and simple for embroidery?

Embroidery is stitched, not printed, so your art is converted into a stitch path. Tiny text and photographic detail do not translate to thread and get muddy at small sizes. Bold shapes, legible text, and a handful of colors stitch cleanest.

What if my artwork is not print-ready?

We review every file before printing and before your card is charged. If something is too low-resolution or needs cleanup, we reach out and help get it production-ready - no order prints on a guess.

Artwork prep

How to prepare your artwork for custom printing

Good art prints great; rushed art causes delays. The good news: getting your file print-ready is simple, and we check everything before we charge you. Here’s what to send - then it plugs straight into the ordering process.

Vector vs raster (and why it matters)

A vector file (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) is built from math, so it scales from a hat patch to a back print with zero quality loss - it’s the ideal for logos. A raster file (PNG, JPG) is built from pixels and only looks sharp at its native size. A high-resolution PNG is fine for most prints; a tiny image saved off a website is not.

Resolution & size

Aim for 300 DPI at the real print size. The most common mistake is sending a small image that looks fine on screen but prints blurry at 10″ wide. When in doubt, send the biggest, cleanest version you have - or a vector, which has no resolution limit.

Transparent backgrounds & colors

Send art on a transparent background (a PNG with no white box) so the print isn’t sitting in a rectangle. On color: screen printing is priced per ink color, so fewer colors keep it economical; DTF prints unlimited colors at one price, so full-color and gradients are no problem there. Not sure which method fits? See screen print vs DTF.

What each method needs

Screen printing: clean art with defined colors; simpler color counts print cheapest.
Embroidery: bold, legible, few colors - we digitize it into a stitch file.
DTF: high-resolution full-color art on a transparent background; gradients and photos welcome.

Don’t have perfect files? Send what you’ve got and note it - a real person reviews every order and helps get the art right before anything prints or charges.

Ready to upload?

Drop your art onto a real blank and see it placed - we’ll review the file before you’re charged.

Start designing → How ordering works Print methods