GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTWORK FOR SCREEN PRINTING

Art design for screen printing is very different from any other type of design. This is due mostly to the inherent limitations of the screen printing process.

If you cannot submit your graphics in the formats outlined below, please contact us as soon as possible.  We can Help you.

GRAPHIC ART DESIGN

Designs to be screen printed must be created in vector art format (instead of pixel based art), because the graphic must be blown up and resized.

Vector is art created in a program such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw or Freehand. In this format, each object can be selected and individually manipulated, independent from the rest of the images in the design. Since most screen-printing utilizes spot colors, vector graphics are the perfect source file type.

Our preferred vector format is the industry standard – Adobe Illustrator – version C6 or lower. 

  • Save files in the .ai or .eps format (.pdf and psd is also acceptable).
  • Email fonts used in your design along with your graphic file.
  • If the file is bigger than 1MB it should be zipped or stuffed.
  • Specify PMS colors to be used.

Please do not send any Microsoft documents for printing. There are no Microsoft programs that allow users to create hi-resolution graphics for professional printing. 
Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (and other text-editing programs) may be used to create rough compositions, or to communicate rough design ideas. However, they are not suitable for creating print-ready artwork.

Microsoft Publisher documents are not acceptable in any capacity. They are created and saved in a locked format by default, and can only be viewed on a PC with an installed copy of Microsoft Publisher. We use Mac computers, and are unable to open or view these files.

If you do submit your artwork as low-resolution graphics, it will be subject to design charges necessary to re-create your artwork as a print-ready graphic.

TEXT IN YOUR GRAPHIC

It is very important when saving a vector file to convert the text to outlines. This is an option in vector-based programs that changes fonts used in the design into an object. If we don’t have a specific font used in your design, we will have to make font substitutions that could change the appearance of your artwork. In Windows, you can “copy & paste” the font you used from the Fonts folder in the control panel.

COLORS IN YOUR DESIGN

Each color in your design requires a separate screen to be created that corresponds to that color. Then each screen must be perfectly registered over the other so that no overprinting of colors occurs. The more colors in the design, the more likely there might be a registration problem.

ONE-COLOR ARTWORK

  • It is best to create 1-color artwork as 100% Black, on a White or Transparent background.
  • Color Mode:  Greyscale.  This is regardless of the color you would like to have printed, or the apparel color that is being ordered.
  • Resolution: 150dpi-300dpi, at final print size.

MULTI-COLOR ARTWORK

  • Due to the technical requirements involved with the setup and printing of multi-color designs, there could be a minimum quantity and higher set-up charge assessed. 
  • Projects with a 6-color design are preferred.  If your design requires more than 6 colors, we may have to sub-contract it out to one of our approved vendors.
  • Resolution: 150dpi-300dpi, at final print size.
  • Color Mode: RGB
  • Make sure that the background is on a separate layer from the art.

CHOOSING INK COLORS

Picking the right ink colors for your design is important to the success of your design.  Please take some time to choose your ink colors wisely. We can make recommendations or help you with choosing the right colors.

LINES IN YOUR DESIGN

The thinnest line in your design can be no less the .25 point.  This is because it is difficult to hold a line that is too thin when the screen is exposed and the line might disappear.

GRADIENTS IN YOUR DESIGN

Gradients are difficult to screen print. so we recommend to stick to solid colors

ART DIMENSIONS

Recommended Art Dimensions (Adult Apparel)

  • Full Front: 10″-14″ Wide
  • Full Back: 10.5″-12″ Wide
  • Left Chest: 2-4″ Wide (Maximum 4″ Tall)
  • Locker Patch (Center, Back, Over Tag): 2-4″ Wide
  • Short Sleeve: 3″ all the way around
  • Long Sleeve: 3″ Wide X 12″ Tall
  • Left Leg (Shorts/Pants): 3-4″ Wide (Maximum 4″ Tall)

*Shirt sizes should be taken into consideration when deciding on art sizing. We reserve the right to make any adjustments to art provided to create the best quality print we are able to provide.