The Custom Apparel Buyer’s Guide

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Printing

The file formats, resolution, and setup that print cleanly — and what to do if all you have is a logo off your website. A practical artwork prep guide.

6 min read · Updated July 10, 2026

Great print starts with a great file. You do not need to be a designer — you just need to know what prints well and what to send. And if your art is not print-ready, do not worry: sorting that out is part of what we do.

The best file formats

Vector files are the gold standard because they scale to any size without getting blurry. If you have one, send it:

Vector (best): AI, EPS, PDF, or SVG — sharp at any size.
High-resolution raster: PNG or PDF at 300 DPI at full print size, ideally with a transparent background.
Avoid: small images pulled from a website or social media, or screenshots — they print blurry.

Resolution & size, in plain terms

For a raster image (like a PNG), aim for 300 DPI at the actual size it will print — roughly a 3,000-pixel-wide file for a large chest print. A tiny logo blown up to fit a shirt will look pixelated, so bigger and higher-resolution is always safer.

A transparent background (PNG) helps us drop your art onto any garment color cleanly.

A few things that affect print

Colors: for screen printing, brand colors can be matched to Pantone/PMS values so your design stays on-brand. Fine gradients are harder to screen print and lean toward DTF or DTG.

Fonts & fine lines: very thin lines and tiny text can drop out, especially in embroidery — we will flag anything that needs to be enlarged or simplified.

No print-ready file? We’ve got you

If all you have is a logo off your website or a rough idea on a napkin, send it anyway. Our team can clean up, redraw, or help create your artwork so it prints beautifully. You will always approve a proof before anything runs.

Key takeaways

Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) are best — sharp at any size.
For raster, send 300 DPI at full print size, transparent background.
Brand colors can be Pantone-matched for screen printing.
No print-ready art? We can clean it up or help create it.

FAQCommon questions

Quick answers.

What file format do you need for printing?

A vector file (AI, EPS, PDF, or SVG) is ideal. A high-resolution PNG or PDF at 300 DPI, full size, with a transparent background also works well. If you do not have print-ready art, send what you have and we will prepare it.

My logo is small and blurry — can you still use it?

Often yes. Our team can redraw or clean up low-resolution art so it prints sharply. Send whatever you have and we will let you know what is needed.

Can you match my exact brand colors?

Yes — for screen printing we can match Pantone/PMS colors so your apparel stays on-brand.

Ready to put this to work?

Screen Printing

Vibrant, long-lasting ink printed straight into the fabric — the most cost-effective choice for bold designs and bigger runs.

DTF

DTF Printing

Direct-to-Film transfers deliver full-color, photo-detail prints on almost any fabric or color — no minimums and no color limits.

Embroidery

Stitched thread that reads as premium and never cracks or fades — ideal for polos, hats, and workwear that has to look sharp for years.

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Custom T-Shirts

Soft, printable blanks from Bella+Canvas, Next Level, Gildan and more — the workhorse of custom apparel.

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