Upload your digital artwork file at actual print size as a:
Vector SVG, EPS or PDF
or
Minimum 300dpi (dots per inch) PNG or JPG
This can be done on most image editing software via File > Save or Export As > and specify our preferred filetype
All orders will be verified before processing. Please check our artwork guidelines for more information about minimum order quantities (MOQ) and image quality.
All orders are printed at our discretion. Orders that do not comply to our artwork guidelines may be cancelled.
Artwork that we deem offensive, hateful or convey views that are extreme and contrary to our values may be rejected.
DIRECT-TO-GARMENT PRINTING
1. FILE TYPE
We can work with lots of file types, but PNG files with a transparent background are our preference for DTG printing.
Using our online design tool, you can also upload:
JPG
PDF
EPS
SVG
Or send us an Adobe Illustrator (AI)/Photoshop (PSD) file but we ask that you convert these files to make them print-ready. If your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
2. FILE RESOLUTION
For best results, files should be sent at actual print size and either 300 dots per inch or above, or vectorized.
Please note: In most cases you cannot simply "resize" an existing small file to increase its size. You need to find the original larger file or recreate the artwork at the appropriate size and resolution. We cannot take responsibility for poor print quality if the file is of poor quality.
If the size and quality of the image is not good enough for the size of the print your require, we may have to recreate the image. Depending on the complexity of the image, this may incur an additional design work fee.
3. DESIGN CHOICE
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing works well for solid colors, gradients and full color images. DTG machines are basically a larger version of your home inkjet printer and work in a similar way. DTG printing does not support metallic or glow/neon inks.
4. ARTWORK SIZE
Direct-to-Garment prints may be up to 12 x 18cm in size. Please send your artwork at the required print size and aspect ratio to avoid confusion.
5. POSITION
We can print on any area of the garment as long as it can be laid flat. DTG printing is more forgiving than screen printing though and it may be possible to print over kangaroo pockets on hoodies and right up to seams or onto hems. This type of edge-to-edge printing takes longer and costs more.
6. COLORS
Everyone’s monitors are different, which means that there are going to be small differences in the colors that you see on your screen and what our team is looking at.
In the same way there is going to be a variation in what you see on screen to the actual garment or print color. For this reason please allow for some variation in both the prints and garments.
7. DETAIL
DTG printers are precise and can reproduce thin lines and fine gradients. However, it will also print any imperfections in the artwork supplied. For example; noise, floating pixels, compression/distortion and anti-aliasing on the borders of solid color will produce an undesirable print. White underbase can occasionally be seen on the edge of some prints depending on level of detail in the image.
8. SUBSTRATE
A white underbase will be required on colored garments. This allows the color top layer of the print to show brightly. This can occasionally have some show through depending on the nap of the garment. The smoother the substrate, the smoother the print.
SCREEN PRINTING
SCREEN PRINTING
1. FILE TYPE
Please upload your digital artwork file as a 300dpi PNG (actual print size or larger).
You can also upload:
JPG
PDF
EPS
SVG
Email your design to info@squirrelprintz.com You can send us an Adobe Illustrator (AI)/Photoshop (PSD) file but we will have to convert these files to make them print-ready. Though if your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
If the file is larger than 20MB, please email us a zip file or send via WeTransfer (or similar).
2. FILE RESOLUTION
For best results, files should be sent at actual print size and either 300 dots per inch or above, or vectorized.
Please note: In most cases you cannot simply "resize" an existing small file to increase its size. You need to find the original larger file or recreate the artwork at the appropriate size and resolution. We cannot take responsibility for poor print quality if the file is of poor quality.
If the size and quality of the image is not good enough for the size of the print your require, we may have to recreate the image. Depending on the complexity of the image, this may incur an additional design work fee. If this is necessary, we will contact you first to inform you of any extra costs and confirm that you are happy to go ahead.
3. DESIGN CHOICE
When choosing your design try to avoid photographic images with limited tonal range and illustrations with lots of lines and/or shading. Color gradients are difficult to exactly reproduce since the artwork must be changed into half-tone dots of different sizes. Bold images with blocks of color tend to give the best results. It is possible to print up to 4 colors, depending on the garment and artwork. Bear in mind that the more colors in the design, the more it will cost. Screen printing is an analog process so please do not expect your design to be perfectly reproduced after it is developed onto a screen and printed onto fabric substrate.
4. SIZE
Please supply your artwork at the print size you require. Standard print size can be up to 18in in length and 14in in width for adult T-shirts, but printable areas can vary between garments/size ranges/products.
5. POSITION
For screen printing we prepare an order proof for you to check and confirm artwork size and positioning before we go to print. In most circumstances, artwork will be put in to standard position whether it is front, back, left chest, etc. Though if you have specific positioning requirements, please provide this information with your order. Ideally we would like to know the distance from the neckline (the top edge of the collar, on the centre line, next to the neck) to the topmost element of the design, in inches on a medium T-shirt. We are likely to adjust this positioning slightly (e.g. increase it on the largest garments and decrease it on the smallest garments) in order to maintain relative positioning. If it is a left breast design, it's also useful to know the distance from centreline of the garment to the edge of the artwork on a medium T-shirt. Again, this may be adjusted, as appropriate.
6. DETAIL
Lines must be drawn at a minimum of approximately 1 point for dark ink on light-coloured tees and 1.5 points for white or coloured ink on dark-coloured tees. (Thinner lines cannot be reliably reproduced.) If you’re not sure please email the artwork to us for advice. If your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
7. COLOURS
Please specify your color in one of the following ways:
Supply a Pantone Matching System (PMS) reference number, or select basic/standard colors.
Email your design in color but remember that colors/shades do look different from a backlit screen to a physical ink, so this is not as precise. We will convert this to a the closest matching PMS code.
If your design is already layered with more than one color, please supply us with the layered artwork file. We are happy to carry out simple colour separation for free but for complex colour separation we may charge you. Don’t worry - if this is necessary, we’ll contact you first to confirm that you’re happy to go ahead.
EMBROIDERY
1. FILE TYPE
If you order online and use the Online Design Tool, please upload your digital artwork file as a 300dpi PNG (actual print size or larger).
Using our online design tool, you can also upload:
JPG
PDF
EPS
SVG
It is also possible to email your design to info@squirrelprintz.com You can send us an Adobe Illustrator (AI)/Photoshop (PSD) file but we will have to convert these files to make them print-ready. Though if your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
If the file is larger than 20MB, please email us a zip file or send via WeTransfer (or similar).
2. FILE RESOLUTION
For best results, files should be sent at actual embroidery size and either 300 dots per inch or above, or vectorised.
Please note: In most cases you cannot simply "resize" an existing small file to increase its size. You need to find the original larger file or recreate the artwork at the appropriate size and resolution. We cannot take responsibility for poor stitch quality if the file is of poor quality.
If the size and quality of the image is not good enough for the size of the embroidery you require, we may have to recreate the image. Depending on the complexity of the image, this may incur an additional design work fee. If this is necessary, we will contact you first to inform you of any extra costs and confirm that you are happy to go ahead.
3. EMBROIDERY SIZE
Files must be provided at the size you need embroidered. If you need 5x5cm embroidery, your artwork should also be set to 5x5cm. If you are unsure what size to embroider your artwork, we recommend measuring a real t shirt to see how different sizes look.
For custom T-shirts (180gsm minimum), the maximum embroidery size is a circle of 11cm in diameter. Sweaters and hoodies with a heavier fabric can take larger embroidery up to 26cm in diameter. Embroidery on most caps can be up to 5.5cm x 12cm (landscape) on the front, or taller if on snapbacks. Beanie embroidery sizes may be more style specific, for example brim sizes may vary between styles. Garment type and positioning may affect the embroidery size.
4. DETAIL
Embroidery can be used to create detailed shapes, text, and artwork. However, because custom embroidery creates your artwork by stitching threads, there are physical limits to how intricate details can be within your artwork. The smallest a single stitch can be is 2mm. This means that the smallest level of detail within your artwork must be at least 2mm. If your artwork contains details smaller than 2mm, we will need to adjust your file to ensure your artwork can be produced, which may alter the look of your embroidery.
5. FONTS & TEXT
Remember, your text and fonts will be created out of thread so you want to take precautions to ensure your text is legible. Letter height should be an absolute minimum of 3.5 to 4 mm, and ideally 5 - 6 mm, especially if the text is a serif font.
Consider your letter spacing, or tracking, to ensure your text is legible. Generally speaking, the best fonts for embroidery are cursive letters where each letter is connected in script. The thread will continue between each letter and be more legible. The next best fonts are san-serif fonts because there are less pieces to each letter and are more easily legible. Serif fonts are not recommended at small scales, but if you intend to use one, we recommend adding additional space between each letter for visibility and clarity around each letter.
6. COLORS
We offer a variety of thread colors to achieve the most accurate color representation for embroidery.
Disclaimer: When images are embroidered the colors may not match exactly what you see on your screen. Unfortunately, there are differences between how colors are rendered on a computer or phone screen.
If your artwork requires more than 5 colors you can request an estimate by emailing info@squirrelprintz.com
7. PULLING AND PUCKERING
Since embroidery is made from thread and stitching your artwork into a garment, it is possible that your artwork may have some minimal puckering or pulling due to the stitches pulling and distorting the fabric. For this reason, heavier weight T-shirts are highly recommended for embroidery. Lightweight fabrics are more likely to show puckering or pulling and are not suitable for embroidery unless it's a low number of stitches in e.g. a line drawing. We will apply a backing material to your design, which should prevent or minimize puckering and to get you the best embroidery possible.