How to Prepare Artwork for Custom T-Shirt Printing

Most custom t-shirt printing problems begin before the file reaches production. A blurry logo, low-contrast colour choice, unclear placement note, or wrong file version can create delays even when the product and print method are correct.

The easiest way to avoid this is to prepare artwork like a production file, not just a design preview. The goal is simple: the person printing the t-shirt should understand the exact file, placement, size, and colour expectation without guessing.

For logos and brand marks, vector files are usually best because they scale cleanly. SVG, AI, EPS, or PDF logo exports are preferable when available. If you only have PNG or JPG, use the highest-resolution version and avoid screenshots from chat apps or presentation slides.

If the artwork contains small text, thin lines, gradients, or detailed illustrations, review it at the size it will actually print. A design that looks fine on a laptop screen may become unreadable when reduced to a small chest placement.

Before checkout, decide whether the artwork belongs on the left chest, full front, back, sleeve, or both front and back. Placement changes the perceived size of the design and affects how professional the final t-shirt feels.

A small company logo on a polo chest is not the same as a full-front event graphic on a round neck tee. LoomTale's design studio helps keep these decisions visible by attaching artwork placement to the cart instead of leaving it in separate notes.

Always check artwork against the chosen t-shirt colour. White artwork may disappear on light fabric, black artwork may flatten on dark fabric, and low-contrast brand colours may need adjustment for readability.

If multiple stakeholders are involved, approve the final artwork version before placing the order. Keep the approved file name clear, avoid sending multiple alternate versions, and make sure size quantities are final before checkout.