Everything you need to know about preparing your artwork for printing or embroidery. Follow this guide to ensure the best possible result — and the fastest turnaround.
The format of your file affects the quality of your finished print. Vector files are always preferred — they can be scaled to any size without loss of quality. Raster files are acceptable if they meet our resolution requirements.
Adobe Illustrator — the ideal format for logos and artwork
Encapsulated PostScript — universally compatible vector format
PDF with embedded vectors — great for sharing designs
Scalable Vector Graphics — ideal for web-exported logos
Must be 300dpi+ at final print size. Transparent background preferred
Must be 300dpi+ at final print size. No transparency support
Note: Files supplied from websites, social media, or Word documents are typically low resolution (72–96dpi) and are not suitable for print. If in doubt, send us what you have and we'll advise.
Resolution matters only for raster (pixel-based) files. Vector files are resolution-independent and scale perfectly to any size.
| Placement | Max Width | Max Height |
|---|---|---|
| Left Chest | 120mm | 100mm |
| Full Front | 300mm | 350mm |
| Full Back | 300mm | 380mm |
| Sleeve | 100mm | 120mm |
| Back Neck | 80mm | 40mm |
Sizes vary by garment size. We'll confirm exact dimensions when we check your artwork.
Colour accuracy starts with using the right colour mode for your chosen print technique. Using the wrong mode can cause unexpected colour shifts in the final print.
Uses Pantone (PMS) spot colours. Each colour is a separate ink mixed to a precise Pantone reference. Provide Pantone references for exact brand colour matching. CMYK or RGB artwork can be colour-separated if Pantone refs aren't available.
Uses CMYK four-colour process printing. Supply artwork in CMYK colour mode for the most accurate result. RGB files are accepted but may shift slightly during conversion — especially reds, blues and fluorescents.
Thread colours are matched to the Madeira or Isacord thread range. Provide Pantone references where possible and we'll select the closest available thread. Exact colour matching depends on thread availability — we'll always confirm before production.
Avoid pure RGB values: Colours like 255/0/0 red or 0/0/255 blue are outside the CMYK gamut and will print differently to how they appear on screen. If your brand uses specific RGB values, ask us to advise the closest achievable CMYK or Pantone equivalent.
Fonts can cause problems if they are embedded in your file but not installed on our system. The fix is simple: convert all text to outlines (also called paths or curves) before saving your file.
Each printing method has its own artwork rules. Find yours below.
Three easy ways to get your artwork to us.
When placing your order online, use the artwork upload zone on the product page or in checkout. Supported formats: AI, EPS, PDF, SVG, PNG, JPG.
Send your files to artwork@shirt-printers.co.uk with your order number. For files over 10MB, use WeTransfer or Google Drive.
Use our quote form to upload your artwork along with your requirements. We'll check everything and come back with a full quote and artwork sign-off.
Every order includes a free artwork check by our print team. We'll flag any issues and provide a digital proof for approval before we begin production.
Possibly, yes. If the JPEG is high resolution (300dpi or more at the intended print size) and the design is clean with no text that needs to be re-scaled, we can often work with it. Send it over and we'll let you know straight away. For the best quality result, a vector file is always preferred.
Yes — we offer a logo redraw service from £25, where our team manually redraws your artwork as a clean vector file. This is a one-time cost and the resulting file is yours to keep. Contact us to discuss.
Always. We'll send you a digital proof (PDF or PNG mockup) showing your design on the garment before we begin production. We won't print anything without your written approval.
Screen colours (RGB) are always slightly different from printed colours (CMYK). This is normal and unavoidable. For critical brand colour matching, provide us with Pantone (PMS) references and we'll match as closely as possible. For screen printing, we can produce a physical strike-off proof (additional cost) before the full run.
You must have the rights to use any design we print. We cannot produce items that infringe on third-party copyrights or trademarks. This includes unlicensed use of band logos, sports team badges, brand logos, or copyrighted images. We reserve the right to decline any order where rights cannot be confirmed.
Upload your artwork, tell us what you need, and we'll come back with a full proof and price within 2 hours.