A Simple Checklist for Preparing Artwork for Apparel Printing

Before sending artwork to an apparel printer, check the file, colours, sizing and placement—not just whether the design looks good on your screen. A few minutes spent confirming these details can prevent blurry edges, unexpected colours, missing background areas and a print that sits in the wrong spot.

1. Start with the printer’s requirements

Printers use different equipment, inks and production methods, so there is no single file specification that suits every job. Before exporting your artwork, ask which file types they accept, whether they need a particular colour mode, and if they have a maximum print area or preferred template.

Also confirm whether the printer will make a pre-production proof, digital mock-up or approval sample. A mock-up can show the approximate position and scale, but it may not represent the final colour or texture exactly. Ask what you are approving and what changes are still possible afterwards.

2. Choose an appropriate file format

For logos, lettering and simple illustrations, a vector file is usually the most flexible option. Vector artwork is made from editable paths, so it can be scaled up or down without becoming pixelated. Common vector formats include AI, EPS and editable PDF files, but confirm which one your printer prefers.

For photographic or textured artwork, a high-resolution raster file may be more suitable. PNG, TIFF and high-quality JPEG files are commonly used, although their suitability depends on the printing process. Avoid sending a screenshot, image copied from a website or artwork embedded in a document, as these files may be too small or flattened in a way that prevents useful editing.

If your artwork uses fonts, either include the font files as requested or convert the text to outlines. This helps prevent the lettering changing when the file is opened on another computer. Keep an editable version for yourself before outlining text or flattening the design.

3. Check resolution and dimensions

Resolution matters for raster artwork. A file can look sharp on a phone or laptop and still print poorly when enlarged. Ask the printer what resolution they require at the final print size. As a practical check, inspect the artwork at 100 per cent rather than relying only on a zoomed-out view.

Set the artwork to its intended physical dimensions before sending it. For example, a chest design and a large back design should not be treated as the same-size file simply because they are placed on the same garment template. Include the width and height in your file name or approval notes so there is less room for confusion.

Do not enlarge a small image at the last minute and assume it has gained detail. Increasing the pixel dimensions may make the file larger, but it cannot recreate information that was never in the original artwork.

4. Decide on colour carefully

Colours can appear different on a backlit screen, in a printed proof and on fabric. The garment colour, ink or thread, printing method and fabric texture can all affect the result. Ask whether the printer wants artwork supplied in RGB, CMYK, spot colours or another format.

For important brand or uniform colours, provide a recognised colour reference if one is available and ask how closely the production method can match it. Avoid assuming that a screen colour will transfer exactly to a shirt.

Check the design against the actual garment colour. A dark design may disappear on a dark shirt, while light ink can behave differently depending on the print method. If you are ordering several garment colours, confirm whether one artwork version works for all of them or whether separate versions are needed.

5. Handle transparency and backgrounds

Make sure you know whether the background is meant to print. A white rectangle around a logo is often an accidental part of the file rather than an intentional design choice. Open the artwork on a contrasting background to reveal any unwanted boxes, halos or hidden elements.

Transparent artwork should be saved in a format that preserves transparency, if the printer’s process supports it. Ask how semi-transparent areas, soft shadows and gradients will be reproduced. Some methods cannot print a partly transparent ink effect directly, so those areas may need to be converted into solid shapes, halftones or removed.

Do not rely on a checkerboard pattern in design software as proof that the final garment will have no background. The printer needs a correctly prepared file, not just a visual preview.

6. Inspect fine details

Small text, narrow lines, tiny gaps and intricate patterns are common failure points. At the intended print size, check that letters remain legible and that thin lines are not likely to close up, break apart or disappear into the fabric.

Ask the printer about their minimum line thickness, smallest readable text and any limitations around fine detail. These limits can vary with the printing method, garment material and design colour.

Pay particular attention to:

• Small lettering, especially script or condensed fonts.
• Thin outlines around shapes.
• Negative spaces inside letters and symbols.
• Fine textures, distressed effects and speckles.
• Gradients, glows and shadows that may need special preparation.

Print a paper version at the intended size. It will not reproduce the fabric exactly, but it is a useful way to spot details that are too small to read comfortably.

7. Confirm placement and garment details

State the intended placement in writing: left chest, centre chest, full front, upper back, sleeve or another position. Include the finished print width and any preferred distance from collars, seams or hems. “Centre it” can mean different things on different garments, so a measured position is clearer.

Check whether the garment style, size range and pockets affect placement. A design that works on a standard adult shirt may need adjustment for children’s garments, fitted cuts, hoodies or pocketed items. If the order includes multiple garment styles, ask whether each requires a separate placement measurement.

8. Get final confirmation before approval

Before approving the artwork, ask the printer to confirm:

• The file has opened correctly and no fonts or linked images are missing.
• The finished print dimensions are correct.
• The print colours and garment colours are understood.
• The background and transparent areas are intentional.
• Fine details are suitable for the chosen production method.
• The placement, orientation and number of print locations are correct.
• Any setup, proofing or editing charges have been explained before production.

Review the final proof slowly, preferably with someone else checking it as well. Look for spelling, phone numbers, website addresses, dates, missing punctuation and reversed artwork. Once approved, changes may be difficult or costly to make.

Practical summary

Prepare artwork at its final size, use the right file format, check resolution and transparency, confirm colours against the garment, simplify fragile details and specify placement in measurements. Most importantly, ask the printer to confirm the file is production-ready before you approve it.