How to prep your art for print
A few minutes of prep makes the difference between a sharp print and a fuzzy one. Here is what to check before you upload.
Great shirts start with a good file. You don't need design software or a pro setup, just a few checks before you hit upload.
Start big
Print size is measured in inches, but your file is measured in pixels. For a sharp print, aim for about 300 pixels per inch at the size you want. A 10 inch wide chest print wants a file around 3000 pixels wide.
The studio shows a quality readout while you place your art. Green means you're set. If it says low res, try a bigger export before you send it.
Use a transparent background
A PNG with a transparent background prints exactly the shape of your design. A JPG always has a background, usually white, which shows up as a box on colored shirts.
No PNG? Turn on Remove white background in the studio. It clears the white around the edges of your art and keeps the whites inside it.
Keep it simple near the edges
- Leave a little breathing room inside the print area.
- Very thin lines (under about 1 point) can disappear in print.
- Tiny text under 8 point is hard to read on fabric.
Check the colors
Screens glow and fabric doesn't, so bright neon colors usually print a little softer. Light art reads best on dark shirts and dark art on light shirts. Try your design on a couple of shirt colors in the studio before you decide.
Send it over
When it looks right, send it to PG. He checks every file by hand and will tell you if anything needs a tweak before it prints.