Artwork Preparation
If your artwork only exists as a hard copy, you can mail it to us and expect to be charged for artwork preparation from our graphics department.
Please make sure your image is suitable for the decoration method you're using.
For screen-printing, we can work with black and white photographs or illustrations with clear, distinct areas of color as opposed to multiple shades and tones. You can submit images for screen-printing that contain half tones (also known as gradients).
For embroidery, images must only contain clear, distinct areas of color. Subtle tones and fades can't be embroidered.
Ensure that you have properly prepared the image you're sending.
The best types of images for our service are vector illustrations created in programs such as Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. These images should be saved or exported and then uploaded in *.eps format. Before saving or exporting as *.eps, please (1) flatten the image, (2) outline fonts, and (3) convert to Pantone or RGB colors.
Raster images, such as those created in Adobe Photoshop and CorelPHOTOPAINT, should be saved or exported as *.gif, *.tif, or *.jpg files. You're best off using *.gif with a transparent background (if that is, in fact, what you want). Most importantly, such images should be high-resolution. The final product won't look good unless your image is at least 200 dots per inch (DPI) at the actual size you want it printed. That means that if you want to print a *.gif image at a size of 5" x 5" on a T-shirt, it should be about 15" x 15" on your 72 DPI computer monitor.
Finally, the filename may not contain spaces. Please be sure to rename the file accordingly before sending.
A word about Vector Art
Vector Art is art that is built (actually drawn) in a vector or object based program such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Adobe Freehand. Each object in vector file can be selected and individually manipulated independently from the rest of the image.
Common files extensions for this type of file include ai, eps, cdr
When providing such files, it is important to convert to curves or create outlines out of all text used.
Digital Art Requirements for spot color printing.
Minimum specifications are required to achieve good print results. Please follow the instructions below. If you need help creating art, please visit art services.
Digital artwork must be submitted in accepted formats only.
* All files must be in .EPS format.
* All fonts must be converted to outlines.
* All colors must be converted to spot colors with correct Pantone numbers.
* Please submit files with images SIZED for printing.
* Compress large files (over 1 MB) using Stuff-it or Winzip.
* Flatten all files.
* Send additional .JPG version of file to communicate color representation if file does not display color the way you want it printed.
Applications Accepted:
* ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR - our preferred file format. Create outlines for fonts. Save as .EPS
* FREEHAND - Convert text to paths. Save as .EPS.
* COREL DRAW - Convert text to paths. Save as .AI file.
* ADOBE PHOTOSHOP - Should be used only for photographic images, not great for type or logos.
Placing a scanned image (or an image created in another program) into an Illustrator file does not make the file a vector image.
Applications NOT Accepted:
The following programs do not allow us to create proper separations:
* POWERPOINT
* WORD or any word processing program.
See our Questions page for any questions we may not have answered on this page