Artwork Settings Guide

DPI means “Dots Per Inch.” More dots = sharper print. Think of it like a TV screen — 4K looks sharper than an old TV because it packs in more pixels. Same idea with your artwork.

300 DPI — Best quality. Razor-sharp text, smooth gradients, fine details preserved.

150 DPI — Acceptable minimum. May look slightly soft up close. Fine for bold, simple designs.

Below 150 DPI — Not recommended. You’ll see the pixels (“blocky” look). Our system will warn you during upload.

How to check:
Windows: Right-click → Properties → Details tab
Mac: Open in Preview → Tools → Show Inspector
Photoshop: Image → Image Size

PNG (Our Favourite)
✅ Supports transparency (no background)
✅ Keeps full quality
✅ Best for logos, text, and illustrations

JPG / JPEG
✅ Smaller file sizes
⚠️ No transparency (adds white background)
⚠️ Loses quality each time it’s saved

PDF
✅ Great for vector artwork
✅ Keeps fonts and layers intact
⚠️ Make sure fonts are outlined

SVG
✅ Vector format — scales to any size
✅ Perfect for logos and text
✅ Tiny file size

Not Accepted: BMP, TIFF, GIF, PSD — convert to PNG or PDF first.

Our DTF printers work in RGB. If your file is CMYK, we’ll convert it — but colours may shift slightly.

Your screen lies a little — every monitor shows colours differently. The final print may be slightly warmer or cooler.

Very dark colours blend — pure black printz great, but very dark navy and dark brown can look almost identical on fabric.

Neon doesn’t exist on fabric — electric green, hot pink, neon blue will print as the closest “real” shade. Still looks good, just not glow-in-the-dark bright.

Pantone Matching: Got a brand colour that must be exact? Drop your Pantone code in the order notes.

Think of the print area like a picture frame on your shirt. You drag and resize your design on the canvas — the system measures it automatically and sets the price tier based on how big your design is.

Print Size Tiers

Which measurement counts? Whichever side is bigger — width or height. A design 8cm wide but 25cm tall? That’s Mid (25cm is the biggest side).

How pricing works: You design, you resize. The system measures and shows you the tier. If it’s over budget, just shrink the design — the tier drops automatically.

Front AND back? Each side is a separate print charge. Both sleeves = 2 charges.

Print Zones (where you can place designs)

Pixel Sizes for Best Quality (300 DPI)

Safe Zone: Keep important parts (text, faces, logos) at least 0.5cm from the edge.

Pixel images (photos, JPGs, PNGs) are like mosaics — made of tiny coloured squares. Zoom in and you see the squares. Make it bigger and it gets blurry.

Vector images are like instructions — “draw a circle here, a line there.” Zoom in forever and it stays perfectly sharp.

Why vectors give better printz:
• Infinitely scalable — no blur at any size
• Cleaner edges — text and logos print razor-sharp
• Smaller files — a vector logo might be 50KB vs 5MB pixel version
• Easy colour changes

We accept: SVG and PDF directly in our design tool.
Have AI or EPS? Export as SVG or PDF first.

How do I know if my file is vector?
• Zoom to 500% — edges stay sharp? Vector.
• File under 1MB for a logo? Likely vector.
• Made in Illustrator, Inkscape, or CorelDRAW? Likely vector.
• Photos are NEVER vector.

Don’t have a vector?
Simple logos/text — we may be able to convert it (just ask).
Complex artwork/photos — use highest res pixel file (300 DPI min).
Free tool: Inkscape can trace simple designs.

Quick rule:
Logo or text? → Vector (SVG/PDF)
Photo or painting? → PNG at 300 DPI
Not sure? → Email us, we’ll check it free.

No background? Save as PNG with transparent background. The shirt colour shows through.

Full-coverage printz? JPG is fine for designs covering the entire print area.

Dark shirts: We print a white base layer under your design. Your colours go on top. Transparent areas = no white layer = shirt fabric shows through.

The golden rule: If you can’t read it on your phone screen at arm’s length, it won’t print well on a shirt.

Fabric isn’t paper. Ink bleeds slightly into the weave, so thin lines and tiny text lose definition. Go bolder than you think you need.

Bold beats thin — chunky fonts look great on fabric. Thin scripts can disappear.
Outline your text — convert to “curves” or “outlines” before saving.
Sans-serif is safer — Arial, Montserrat, Bebas print more reliably than decorative fonts.
Minimum line weight: 2pt. Hair-thin lines (under 1pt) will vanish on fabric.

Before you upload, run your design through our 5-point CRISP check. Think of it like a preflight checklist — green means go, amber means caution, red means fix it first.

🟢 SHARP — Is It Crisp?
Zoom in at full size. Sharp and clear? You’re good. Fuzzy or pixelated? You need a higher-resolution file.
Fix: Upload at least 150 DPI, ideally 300 DPI.

🟢 CLEAN — Are the Edges Tidy?
Look at the outline of your design. Clean and defined? Or white box, halo, or pixelated fog around it?
Fix: Save as PNG with true transparency.

🟢 CLEAR — Can You Read It at a Glance?
Hold your design at arm’s length. Can you immediately tell what it is? If you squint, simplify it.
Fix: Make the main element stand out.

🟢 BOLD — Will Thin Lines Survive?
If it looks thin on screen, it’ll be invisible on a shirt. Fabric isn’t paper.
Fix: Lines at least 2pt. Text above 8pt (12pt+ recommended).

🟢 PRINT-SAFE — Will the Colours Work?
Screens show colours that printers can’t reproduce. Neon on screen prints as a duller (but nice) shade.
Fix: Avoid pure neon colours. Use our colour palette in the design tool.

1. Get your image at 300 DPI (or use a vector SVG/PDF)
2. Check the size — does it match the print area? (See Section 4)
3. Run the CRISP check — sharp, clean, clear, bold, print-safe?
4. Convert to RGB colour mode
5. Outline all text (convert to curves)
6. Remove the background or save as PNG with transparency
7. Save as PNG (pixel art) or SVG/PDF (vector art)
8. Upload to our design tool
9. Preview the mockup — check on light and dark shirt colours
10. Order when you’re happy 🎉