How to Prepare Your Artwork for Screen Printing: Complete Guide

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Screen Printing

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 Golden Rule: Vector Art

The single most important thing to understand about screen printing artwork is this: vector files produce the best results.

What Is Vector Art?

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.

Why Vectors Matter for Screen Printing

Screen printing requires clean, sharp edges for each color. Vector art provides:

• Infinite scalability — your logo looks perfect at any size
• Clean color separation — each color is on its own layer
• Sharp edges — no fuzzy pixels or jagged lines
• Small file sizes — easy to email and process

Preferred File Formats (Best to Worst)

1. AI (Adobe Illustrator) — the gold standard
2. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) — universal vector format
3. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) — web-friendly vector
4. PDF (with vector data) — great if exported from Illustrator
5. PSD (Photoshop, 300+ DPI) — acceptable for complex designs
6. PNG (300+ DPI, transparent background) — last resort for raster

Resolution Requirements

If you must use a raster (pixel-based) image:

• Minimum 300 DPI at the actual print size
• For a 12-inch wide chest print, your file should be at least 3600 x 4200 pixels
• Never upscale a low-resolution image — it does not add detail, just blurry pixels
• Screenshots, social media downloads, and web graphics are almost never print-ready

Quick Resolution Check

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.

Color Considerations

Spot Colors

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.

• Use Pantone (PMS) colors for exact brand color matching
• Keep your color count manageable — each color adds a screen and production time
• Typical orders use 1-6 colors (more is possible but costs increase)

Common Color Mistakes

• Using RGB values — RGB is for screens, not print. Provide Pantone numbers
• Too many colors — that gradient in your Canva design might need 8+ screens
• Assuming white is free — white is a color that requires its own screen
• Ignoring the garment color — a design on white looks different on black

Setting Up Your File

Canvas Size

• Set your artboard to the actual print dimensions
• Standard chest print: 11-12 inches wide by 14 inches tall (maximum)
• Left chest: 3.5-4 inches wide
• Back print: up to 14 inches wide by 17 inches tall

Color Mode

• Work in CMYK or Pantone color mode, not RGB
• If designing in Illustrator, use Pantone Solid Coated swatches

Fonts

• Convert all text to outlines (Illustrator: Type > Create Outlines)
• This prevents font substitution issues when we open your file
• Minimum text height for screen printing: 0.25 inches (about 18pt)
• Very thin fonts or scripts may not hold up — ask us if you are unsure

Layers and Organization

• Keep each color on a separate layer if possible
• Name your layers clearly (e.g., "Red", "Black", "White Underbase")
• Remove any hidden layers or unused elements
• Flatten any effects (drop shadows, glows) into solid shapes

What If My Art Is Not Print-Ready?

Do not worry — most submissions need some adjustments. At French Press Custom, our art department handles:

• Vectorization — converting raster logos to clean vector files
• Color separation — preparing artwork for multi-color screen printing
• Design cleanup — fixing resolution, removing backgrounds, adjusting layout
• Recreation — rebuilding a design from a low-quality source

Art Charges

• Simple cleanup and vectorization: $45
• Standard recreation: $75
• Complex multi-color separation: $125

These fees are one-time — once your art is print-ready, we keep it on file for all future orders.

Artwork Checklist Before Submitting

Before sending your files to any printer, run through this checklist:

• File is vector format (AI, EPS, SVG) or 300+ DPI raster
• All fonts are outlined or converted to shapes
• Colors are specified with Pantone numbers
• Design is sized to actual print dimensions
• Background is transparent (no white box around the design)
• No gradients or effects that cannot be reproduced in spot color
• File is under 25 MB (compress if needed)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Sending a Word Document or PowerPoint

These are not print-ready formats. Export as PDF or provide the original design files.

2. Pulling a Logo from Your Website

Web images are 72 DPI — far too low for printing. Go back to the original design file.

3. Adding a White Background

Unless you specifically want a white rectangle behind your design, make sure the background is transparent.

4. Designing in Canva Without Exporting Properly

Canva is great for mockups but export as SVG or high-resolution PNG with transparent background. Do not screenshot your design.

5. Not Specifying Print Locations

Tell us where each design goes: front chest, back, left sleeve, etc. Include a mockup if possible.

Need Help?

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.