The sharpest print in the world can only be as good as the file it starts with. A blurry screenshot or a logo with a white box around it will show up on your shirt exactly like that. The good news: a few simple steps make a big difference. Here’s how to get your artwork ready so your custom gear comes out crisp, clean and exactly how you pictured it.
1. Send the right file type
Not all image files are created equal. Here’s what works best, from most to least preferred:
- Vector files (SVG, PDF, AI, EPS). The gold standard for logos and text. Vectors are built from shapes instead of pixels, so they can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
- PNG with a transparent background. Great for full-colour designs, illustrations and anything with gradients. Make sure it’s high resolution (more on that below).
- JPG. Fine for photos, but JPGs can’t be transparent and often have fuzzy edges from compression. Use them only when a PNG or vector isn’t available.
Tip: If a designer made your logo, ask them for the original vector file. Most logos were created as vectors, even if you’ve only ever been sent a JPG.
2. Use a high enough resolution
For pixel-based files like PNG and JPG, aim for 300 DPI at the size you want printed. In plain terms, that means your image needs about 300 pixels for every inch of print.
- Left chest logo (about 4″ wide): roughly 1,200 pixels wide
- Full front print (about 11″ wide): roughly 3,300 pixels wide
- Hat front (about 4″ wide): roughly 1,200 pixels wide
You can’t add quality by enlarging a small image. Stretching a 300-pixel logo up to 11 inches will look blurry or blocky no matter what. Always start with the largest, original version you have.
3. Skip screenshots and social media images
Images saved from Facebook, Instagram, text messages or a website are almost always compressed and too small to print well. Screenshots are even worse, since they only capture what’s on your screen. If that’s all you have, send it anyway and let us know. We’ll tell you honestly how it will print and whether it needs cleanup first.
4. Remove the background
If your design sits on a white or coloured box, that box will print too. For most designs you’ll want a transparent background so only the artwork lands on the garment. Save your file as a PNG with transparency, or send a vector file. Not sure if yours is transparent? Upload it in our Build Your Order tool and the preview will show you.
5. Think about your garment colour
- Watch for low contrast. Navy text on a black hoodie or yellow on a white tee will be hard to see. Choose colours that stand out against the garment.
- Add an outline if needed. A thin white or contrasting outline can make a design pop on a busy or similar-coloured background.
- Black areas on black shirts. Parts of your design that match the garment colour can often be left out so the shirt shows through, which keeps the print lighter and softer.
6. Keep fine details printable
DTF printing handles detail very well, but there are still limits on fabric. Very thin lines, tiny text and small gaps between shapes can blur together or peel over time. As a general rule:
- Keep lines at least about 1 mm thick.
- Keep text large enough to read from arm’s length, especially on hats and sleeves.
- Avoid very faint shadows or semi-transparent effects, which may not print the way they look on screen.
7. Convert or include your fonts
If your design uses a special font and you’re sending a vector or PDF file, convert the text to outlines (sometimes called “create outlines” or “convert to curves”) before you export. Otherwise our software may swap in a different font. If you can’t do that, just tell us the font name.
8. Know your names and numbers
Ordering team gear or adding a rider’s name and number? Send the list in a simple format (a spreadsheet or a typed list) with each name, number and size. Double-check spellings before you send. Since every piece is custom, we print exactly what’s on the list.
Quick checklist before you upload
- Vector file (SVG, PDF, AI, EPS) or a high-resolution PNG
- About 300 pixels per inch at the print size you want
- Transparent background, no white box
- Colours that contrast with your garment
- No ultra-thin lines or tiny text
- Fonts converted to outlines, or font names noted
- Names, numbers and spellings double-checked
Don’t have print-ready artwork? We can help
Not everyone has a vector logo sitting in a folder, and that’s okay. Send us what you have, whether it’s a photo of an old shirt, a sketch or a low-resolution logo, and we’ll let you know what it will take to make it print-ready. We review every file before it goes to print, so nothing gets pressed without a second look.
Want to know which printing method suits your design? Read HTV vs. DTF vs. Sublimation: Which Printing Method Is Right for Your Fabric?
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