How to Prepare Your Artwork for Printing: A Complete Guide

One of the most important parts of any custom apparel order happens before the first shirt is ever printed.

Your artwork.

High-quality artwork helps ensure your finished apparel looks crisp, professional, and exactly as you envisioned. The better the artwork, the better the final product.

At Stonebridge Print Co., we understand that not everyone is a graphic designer—and that’s okay! Whether you already have a finished logo or only have an idea sketched on paper, we’re here to help.

This guide explains how to prepare your artwork for the best possible printing results.

The Best File Types

Whenever possible, send your artwork in one of these formats:

Vector Files (Preferred)

These file types can be resized without losing quality.

Examples include:

AI (Adobe Illustrator)
EPS
SVG
PDF (Vector)

These are ideal for logos and professionally designed artwork.

High-Resolution Image Files

If vector files aren’t available, high-resolution image files are the next best option.

Accepted formats include:

PNG
PSD
TIFF
High-quality JPG

Whenever possible, provide files at their original size without compression.

Resolution Matters

Low-resolution images often become blurry or pixelated when enlarged.

For the best print quality:

Aim for 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the size you want the design printed.
Avoid screenshots or images copied from websites, as they are usually too low in resolution for quality printing.

If you’re unsure whether your file is suitable, send it to us—we’ll gladly take a look.

Transparent Backgrounds

Whenever possible, provide artwork with a transparent background.

A transparent PNG allows the design to blend naturally with the garment color without leaving a visible white box around the artwork.

If your artwork doesn’t have a transparent background, don’t worry. We can often help prepare it for printing.

Use Original Files

Whenever possible, send the original artwork rather than downloading it from social media or copying it from a website.

Original files provide much better quality and allow for more accurate printing.

Avoid Small Images

A logo that looks fine on your phone may not print well if it’s only a few hundred pixels wide.

Remember:

You can always make large artwork smaller.

You cannot make a small image larger without losing quality.

Choose Readable Fonts

If your design includes text:

Use clear, easy-to-read fonts.
Make sure small lettering is large enough to remain legible.
Provide font files if you have custom typography and the artwork isn’t outlined.

If we notice anything that may affect readability, we’ll let you know before printing.

Think About Shirt Color

Your artwork should work with the garment color you choose.

For example:

Dark artwork stands out beautifully on light-colored shirts.
Bright artwork pops on darker garments.
White elements are often used effectively on black or navy apparel.

If you’re unsure which shirt color best complements your design, we’re happy to offer recommendations.

Double-Check Spelling

Before submitting artwork, take a few moments to verify:

Names
Dates
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Website URLs
Social media handles

Even the most beautiful design can’t fix a typo after it’s has been printed.

Don’t Worry If You Need Design Help

Not everyone has finished artwork—and that’s perfectly okay.

If you have:

A rough sketch
A logo that needs updating
A photo for inspiration
An idea you want brought to life

Our team can work with you to create artwork that’s ready for printing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before submitting your artwork, avoid these common issues:

❌ Screenshots

❌ Images copied from Facebook

❌ Tiny logos pulled from websites

❌ Blurry photos

❌ Cropped images

❌ Watermarked graphics

❌ Artwork with spelling errors

A little preparation goes a long way toward achieving professional results.

Before You Send Your Artwork

Here’s a quick checklist:

✔ High-resolution file

✔ Preferred file format

✔ Transparent background (if available)

✔ Correct spelling

✔ Original artwork

✔ Correct dimensions

✔ Final version approved