Great screen printing starts long before ink ever hits a shirt. One of the most important factors in getting a clean, professional final product is the quality of the artwork you provide. Even the best printing equipment and inks cannot fix artwork that is low resolution or improperly set up. If you want your custom apparel to look sharp, vibrant, and consistent, here is how to prepare your artwork for the best screen print results.
Start With High Resolution Artwork
Screen printing relies on crisp edges and solid shapes, so resolution matters. Low-resolution images can appear blurry, pixelated, or uneven once printed. Whenever possible, provide vector artwork in AI, EPS, or PDF formats. These formats allow the design to be resized without losing quality.
If vector files are unavailable, high-resolution raster images may still work. Aim for at least 300 DPI at the final print size. Avoid pulling images directly from websites or social media, as those files are usually too small for quality printing.
Use Solid Colors and Clean Lines
Screen printing works best with solid colors and defined shapes. Designs with heavy gradients, shadows, or fine details can be difficult to reproduce cleanly. Simplifying your artwork often leads to a stronger final result.
Clear outlines, bold text, and consistent line thickness help ensure your design prints evenly. If your logo includes thin lines or intricate details, your printer may recommend slight adjustments to improve print quality.
Limit the Number of Colors
Each color in a screen-printed design requires its own screen. Keeping the color count manageable helps control costs and improve consistency. While screen printing can handle multiple colors, designs with fewer colors tend to print more cleanly and predictably.
If brand colors are important, provide color references whenever possible. Pantone color codes are ideal, but even a clear description or sample can help ensure accurate color matching.
Size Your Artwork Correctly
Knowing where your design will be placed and how large it should be is essential. Artwork that is too small may lose detail, while oversized designs can overwhelm the garment. Common placements include left chest, full front, back, or sleeve prints.
Communicating your preferred size and placement helps your printer set up the design correctly from the start. If you are unsure, a professional screen printer can guide you toward sizes that work best for your apparel type.
Convert Text to Outlines
Fonts can cause issues if they are not embedded properly. To avoid missing or substituted fonts, always convert text to outlines before submitting your artwork. This ensures your design prints exactly as intended, regardless of the system used.
Trust Your Screen Printer’s Expertise
Even with well-prepared artwork, small adjustments may be needed to achieve the best print. Experienced screen printers know how ink interacts with fabric and can suggest minor tweaks that improve durability and appearance. Being open to feedback helps ensure the final product meets your expectations.
If you want professional results, working with a printer who reviews and prepares artwork carefully makes a big difference.
Work With a Screen Printing Team You Can Trust
At Cornerstone Shirts and Graphics, we work closely with our customers to ensure artwork is properly prepared for successful screen printing. From reviewing files to recommending adjustments, our team helps ensure every print looks clean, bold, and long-lasting.
Complete our online contact form to learn more about our screen printing services and request a quote today.
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