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Getting your artwork right before sending it to the printer saves time, money, and headaches. At French Press Custom, we review hundreds of artwork files every week — and the difference between a print-ready file and one that needs rework can mean days of delay and additional charges.
Here is everything you need to know to prepare artwork that is ready to hit the press.
The single most important thing to understand about screen printing artwork is this: vector files produce the best results.
Vector graphics are created using mathematical paths rather than pixels. They can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Programs like Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Affinity Designer create vector files.
Screen printing requires clean, sharp edges for each color. Vector art provides:
If you must use a raster (pixel-based) image:
Take your image width in pixels and divide by 300. That gives you the maximum print width in inches at acceptable quality.
Example: A 1500px wide image = 5 inches maximum print width.
Screen printing uses spot colors — each color is a separate ink mixed to a specific formula. This is different from CMYK printing where colors are built from four ink dots.
Do not worry — most submissions need some adjustments. At French Press Custom, our art department handles:
These fees are one-time — once your art is print-ready, we keep it on file for all future orders.
Before sending your files to any printer, run through this checklist:
These are not print-ready formats. Export as PDF or provide the original design files.
Web images are 72 DPI — far too low for printing. Go back to the original design file.
Unless you specifically want a white rectangle behind your design, make sure the background is transparent.
Canva is great for mockups but export as SVG or high-resolution PNG with transparent background. Do not screenshot your design.
Tell us where each design goes: front chest, back, left sleeve, etc. Include a mockup if possible.
At French Press Custom, we want your project to look incredible. If your artwork needs work, our team will let you know exactly what is needed and provide a quote for any art services. Send your files to info@frenchpresscustom.com or upload them through our quote form.
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