Getting your artwork right before you send it saves a round of back-and-forth on your proof — here's what actually makes a difference to how your print comes out.
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File formats we accept
- PNG with a transparent background — our preferred format, especially for designs that aren't a solid rectangle
- JPG — fine for photo-based designs or a solid background
- PDF, AI, SVG — ideal for text/logo-based designs, since vector files scale to any size without quality loss
Don't have a print-ready file? Send a photo, a sketch, or just describe the idea — we'll build it into something printable and show you a proof.
Resolution — what actually matters
For raster files (PNG/JPG), resolution needs to hold up at the size you want it printed, not just look sharp on a phone screen. A rule of thumb: if you can zoom into the file at the print size and it looks blurry or pixelated, it'll print that way too. Vector files (AI/SVG/PDF built from vectors) sidestep this entirely since they scale cleanly to any size.
Colour — why what you see on screen isn't guaranteed
Screens and printed fabric render colour differently, so an exact on-screen colour match isn't something any printer can promise. If a precise colour match matters (brand colours especially), tell us and we'll get as close as our garment and ink range allows, and confirm honestly before printing.
Transparent backgrounds
If your design isn't meant to be a solid block or full-bleed print, a transparent background (PNG) means we place exactly the shape you intended rather than accidentally printing a white or coloured box around it.
Text and fine detail
Very thin lines or small text can lose crispness once printed at garment scale, even if they look fine at screen size. We'll flag this in your proof if something's likely to print poorly, and suggest a fix — usually just sizing up the element or thickening a line slightly.
What if my file isn't ready?
Genuinely, don't worry about it. Most orders start from a rough idea, a reference photo, or a sketch — we'll build the artwork and send a free proof before anything's printed. Getting a perfect file isn't a requirement to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best file format to send?
PNG with a transparent background for most designs; AI, SVG or PDF for logo/text-based designs that need to scale cleanly.
What resolution do I need?
High enough that it doesn't look blurry when viewed at the actual print size — vector files avoid this concern entirely.
Can you match my exact brand colour?
We'll get as close as our garment and ink range allows and confirm honestly before printing — exact screen-to-fabric colour matching isn't something any printer can guarantee.
I don't have a design file at all — can you still help?
Yes — send a description, sketch or reference photo and we'll build it into a proof.
See our approach
Setting up a design from a blank page
If you are creating the artwork yourself, a few decisions at the start save a lot of fixing later. These steps apply whether you use a professional design program, a free web tool or a phone app.
1. Work at the size you want on the shirt. A chest design is often around the width of a hand span or less; a back design is much larger. Work out the real dimension first, then build the file around it.
2. Make the canvas larger rather than smaller. You can always reduce a big file without losing quality; you cannot enlarge a small one.
3. Keep your layers separate while working. Text, graphics and any photo should each live on their own layer so they can be moved, resized or recoloured later.
4. Save a master copy before flattening anything. Send us a flattened version if you like, but keep the layered original.
Sketching a layout on paper first
Before opening a program, draw a rough shirt outline and place boxes where each element will sit. This shows quickly whether there is too much for the space. The most common problem in homemade designs is overcrowding. A shirt is viewed from a distance, in movement, usually in imperfect light. Leave empty space around your main element. That space is part of the design.
Text: the settings that matter
Text is where most amateur layouts fall down.
- Choose a typeface that is clear at a distance. Decorative fonts with delicate hairlines may look pretty on a screen and become thin on fabric.
- Do not stretch text in one direction to fit a space. Change the font size or choose a condensed typeface instead.
- Leave consistent spacing between lines. Uneven gaps look careless.
- Convert text to outlines or shapes before sending if your program allows it. This removes the risk of a missing font replacing yours with a different one.
- Use capital letters sparingly for long phrases, as they become harder to read.
If you send a file where fonts have not been converted, tell us the name of the font and where you obtained it, so that our reproduction matches your version.
Designing for the colour of the garment
Think about the shirt as part of the design. A pale pastel on a white shirt will look washed out. A dark blue on a black shirt will fade into it. As a rule, create strong contrast between the artwork and the fabric. When you view your file, place it on a block of the garment colour in your program, not on the default white or transparent checkerboard. If an element only works on white, it is a candidate for a redesign.
Thin outlines in a colour close to the garment are especially risky, because a small mismatch makes them vanish. If you want a subtle shadow or glow, ask whether it will remain visible when printed, and look carefully at the proof.
Preparing photos for a shirt
Photos behave differently from graphics. A photograph has soft edges and thousands of tones, while a logo has clean edges and flat areas.
- Crop tightly so the subject fills the frame.
- Brighten dim images slightly. Fabric tends to look darker than a glowing screen.
- Remove busy backgrounds when you want only the subject. If you cannot do that yourself, tell us.
- Avoid heavy filters and effects that may look odd when enlarged.
Placing multiple elements
When your design has several parts, such as a logo, a slogan and a number, plan the relationships between them. Align elements to a shared centre line or left edge. Keep margins equal. If a logo has a built-in clear space, preserve it. Group related items so that they move together if the proof requires an adjustment.
What about names and numbers on the back?
List each name exactly as it should appear and mark the order in which people receive them. Our group order guide explains how to organise a list for many people.
Checking your file before you send it
Run through this quick test.
- Open the file on a different device from the one you used to create it. Does it still look right?
- Zoom to the intended print size. Are edges clean?
- View it in black and white. Does the design still read? If so, the contrast is good.
- Print it on paper at real size, cut it out and hold it against a shirt. This is a surprisingly good test of scale.
- Ask a friend to describe what they see in five seconds. If they miss the main message, simplify.
Naming and sending your files
Use plain names that tell us what each file is, such as "front-logo" and "back-names". If you are sending several versions, number them rather than writing "final" or "final2", since everyone loses track. Mention which one is the current choice in your message. If you have source files, you can share them as well, but a clean exported version is more important for the proof.
Common setup mistakes and how to fix them
- A hidden white box behind a logo: check the background and delete any stray rectangle.
- A very small file enlarged to fit: go back to the original or rebuild it.
- Text running right to the edge of the design area: leave a margin so nothing is clipped.
- Several nearly identical colours: merge them into one, so the artwork is simpler.
- A watermark from a stock image site: obtain a licensed version or choose another image.
Is there a tool you recommend for beginners?
Any program that exports PNG files with a transparent background will do. Free web editors are enough for simple text and shapes. The most important thing is not the tool but the clarity of the idea.
Do I need to show the shirt mock-up?
It helps. A simple sketch or a mock-up image showing the placement tells us what you have in mind. It does not need to be accurate; we create the proof. For wider guidance, see our t-shirt printing questions page.
We reply personally, within 2 minutes