Artwork guidelines for print-ready files

The quote form accepts these formats, up to 5 files of 25 MB each:

Following these artwork guidelines saves time at the proof stage.

Vector files are built from shapes and scale to any size without losing sharpness, which makes them ideal for logos, embroidery digitising, vinyl cutting and large signs. Raster files are made of pixels and lose quality when enlarged. Photos are raster by nature; logos should not be. If you only have a raster logo, we can advise whether it is usable or needs to be redrawn, and redrawing is quoted separately.

• Supply raster images at 300 dpi at the final printed size.
• Add 3 mm bleed on all sides where artwork runs to the edge.
• Keep important text and logos at least 3 mm to 5 mm inside the trim edge (the safe zone).
• Include crop marks only if asked.

Work in CMYK for printed material. If a brand colour must match exactly, tell us the Pantone reference; spot colours suit some methods, such as screen printing, better than others. Screen colours differ from printed colours, so expect slight variation. Convert fonts to outlines or embed them, and include the font files in a ZIP if you want text left editable.

Send logos as vector files or as transparent-background PNGs at high resolution. Tell us the garment, print position and approximate size, such as left chest or full back. Embroidery needs simple shapes and legible lettering, and very fine detail may need simplifying. See T-shirt printing and embroidery.

Banners, wraps and signs can be supplied at a reduced scale, such as 1:10, provided proportions are exact; supply vector where possible. Images need less resolution at large sizes viewed from a distance, but they must still be sharp. Include dimensions and any cut contours.

Upload files through the quote form. If your artwork needs preparation, redrawing or new design, our team can help; design work is quoted separately before it starts.

If you are unsure about any of these artwork guidelines, upload the file and we will check it for you.