How to Prepare Your Logo or Artwork for Custom T-Shirt Printing

A clear artwork file makes a better starting point for a custom T-shirt order. Before you upload, check which version you are sending, how large it will be printed and what must remain readable. A logo that looks sharp on a phone can still need attention when used on clothing.

You do not need to become a designer to prepare a useful brief. The following checks help you supply the right file and explain the result you want.

Find the original artwork

Ask your designer or the person who created the logo for the original artwork or a suitable export. Vector artwork uses scalable shapes; raster artwork, such as a photograph, uses pixels. A genuine vector logo can retain clean edges when resized, while a small raster image has limited detail.

A PDF can contain either type, so the extension alone does not establish quality. Renaming a JPEG does not turn it into a vector file. Keep the editable original, and check the current product upload controls for accepted formats and file-size limits.

Agree the intended print size

Decide whether the artwork is for a small chest position, a larger front design or another available area. Give an approximate width if you have a preference, and confirm it against the selected garment and decoration position.

For raster artwork, check pixel dimensions at that intended size. A preparation target of 300 pixels per inch is commonly useful for detailed print, but the required file depends on the production process. Changing the resolution setting alone does not add image detail.

If the only file you have is a small screenshot, send it for advice rather than repeatedly enlarging and saving it. Explain whether you also have a business card, earlier print file or contact for the original designer.

Make the background intentional

Decide whether the background is part of the design. If you want only a logo printed, an unwanted white rectangle around it may change the result. Where transparency is appropriate, inspect the artwork on a contrasting background so that pale edges and missing areas are easier to see.

Keep intentional white lettering and other required white elements. A checked transparency pattern should not become part of the exported image. If you are unsure, explain what should appear on the garment instead of deleting parts of the artwork at random.

Review colours, lettering and small details

Supply brand colour references if you have them, and tell us the garment colour. A screen preview is not a promise of an exact colour match on fabric. Ask how any colour-critical requirement will be assessed before production.

Read the design at its planned physical size. Check the business name, small tagline, thin lines and spaces between shapes. A simpler small logo can be more useful than squeezing a detailed layout into a chest position. For embroidery, ask for a separate suitability check; an artwork file ready for printing is not automatically a finished embroidery file.

Label the files and positions clearly

Use a clear filename that identifies the artwork and intended position. If front and back designs differ, label them accordingly. Avoid sending several unexplained files called “final” and leaving the production team to decide which one you mean.

Make a brief note of the selected product, garment colour, position and important instructions. If the same design is being used across several garments, state that clearly. Where different names or versions are required, ask how those should be supplied and priced.

Complete your artwork check before ordering

• Check spelling, names, telephone numbers and website addresses.
• Confirm that you own the artwork or have permission to use it.
• Check the required background, colours and design position.
• Use the intended version and keep the original file available.
• Follow the selected product’s upload and approval instructions.
• Review any agreed artwork charges separately from the print order.

Explore Custom T-Shirts to choose your garment and see its available options. If your artwork needs adjustment or a new design, ask IPRINTOP for an artwork quotation before assuming that work is included.

For a wider clothing order, visit Custom Printing & Embroidery. You can also discuss your requirements at our Thornton Heath walk-in shop; the Croydon production location is available by prior appointment.

Further reading: Adobe explains how pixel dimensions and print resolution work together.