The number one thing that slows down a custom shirt order is the artwork. The good news is you do not need to be a designer to get it right. Here is what we need, what works best, and what to do if all you have is a fuzzy logo from Facebook.
The best file types, ranked
| File | How good | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SVG, AI, EPS or PDF (vector) | Best | Scales to any size with perfect edges |
| PNG with transparent background | Great | Sharp if it is large enough, no white box around it |
| High resolution JPG | Okay | Works, but the background needs to be removed |
| Screenshot or social media image | Needs help | Usually too small and blurry to print large |
Our artwork guidelines go into more detail if you are curious.
Size and resolution in plain English
For a sharp print, aim for 300 pixels per inch at the size you want printed. A full front print about 11 inches wide needs an image roughly 3300 pixels wide. A left chest logo about 3.5 inches wide needs around 1050 pixels.
Quick test: zoom your image to 100% on your computer. If the edges look blurry or blocky on screen, they will look blurry on the shirt too.
New to file types? Read JPEG vs PNG: why your logo printed in a white box and RGB vs CMYK: why colours look different on a printed shirt.
Common print sizes
- Left chest: about 3.5 to 4 inches wide
- Full front: about 10 to 12 inches wide
- Full back: up to about 12 inches wide
- Hat front: about 4 to 5 inches wide, depending on the cap
Only have a screenshot? We can fix it
Lots of people only have a logo from a website, an old business card or a phone photo. That is fine. Our design team can clean it up or redraw it:
| Design help | Price |
|---|---|
| Simple text or small edits | $9 per design |
| Colourful or complex artwork | $18 per design |
| Vector files of your design to keep | $35 |
No logo at all? Browse our free designs for ideas, or turn an idea into a print with our AI art to shirts service.
Send us what you have
Upload your logo, even if it is rough. We check every file and send a mockup before anything prints.
Upload my artworkGet a free quoteColour tips
- White ink makes designs pop on dark shirts, so light colours in your logo stay bright on black.
- Very thin lines under about 1 mm can get lost. Thicken them a little if you can.
- If your brand uses exact colours, send the colour codes and we will match them as closely as possible.
Common questions
Will you check my file?
Yes. Every order gets a mockup, and we flag anything that will not print well before we start.
Can you remove the white background?
Yes, that is part of the simple design help.
Do I own the vector file?
If you order vector files for $35, they are yours to use anywhere.
