Upload your digital artwork file at actual print size as a:
vector SVG, EPS or PDF
or
minimum 300dpi (dots per inch) PNG
This can be done on most image editing software via File > Save or Export As > and specify our preferred filetype
All online orders will be vetted 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.
1. FILE RESOLUTION & TYPE
Artwork files provided should be actual print size and either 300 dots per inch (dpi), or vectorised.
The following file types are suitable for upload using our online ordering system: PDF, EPS, PNG, SVG, JPG
You can also email us your artwork as an Adobe Illustrator (AI) or Photoshop (PSD) file.
If your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
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. 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 and this may incur an artwork 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.
2. DESIGN CHOICE
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing works well for solid colours, gradients and full colour images. DTG machines are basically a larger version of your home inkjet printer and work in a similar way. Metallic or glow/neon colours cannot be printed using DTG.
3. PRINT SIZE
Direct-to-Garment prints may be up to 35 x 45cm in size. Please send your artwork at the required print size and aspect ratio to avoid confusion.
4. 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. If you require specific positioning that's unavailable via our Online Design Tool, it may still be possible. Please email or give us a call to ask.
5. COLOURS - CMYK
To start with, everyone’s computer monitors are different, which means that there are going to be small differences in the colours that you see on your screen and what our team sees.
Secondly, the DTG printing machines work in CMYK, so fewer colours are available compared to RGB (what you see on a screen), Pantone references and what is visible to the eye. Please check your artwork in CMYK to ensure that you are happy with the colour representation in this format. Most colours are quite accurate but it is important to you that a colour is reproduced very closely, we would recommend either switching to screen print or ordering a sample first.
Please allow for some colour variation in both the prints and garments.
6. DETAIL
The 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 colour will produce an undesirable print. White underbase can occasionally be seen on the edge of some prints due to slight movement of the garment during printing.
7. SUBSTRATE
A white underbase will be required on coloured garments. This can occasionally have some show through depending on the nap of the garment. The smoother the substrate, the smoother the print.
Variations in fabric nap and texture can alter the fidelity of images in various ways. This means that in some cases, certain artworks work better on some types than others. For example, on heather garments (which utilise different interwoven colours and sometimes mixed fibers) or certain mesh weaving styles, some detail and image fidelity can be lost. However, simple graphics using only white or black ink are usually the most successful on said types of garments. If in doubt, order a sample.
SCREEN PRINTING
1. FILE RESOLUTION & TYPE
Artwork files provided should be actual print size and either 300 dots per inch (dpi), or vectorised.
The following file types are suitable for upload using our online ordering system: PDF, EPS, PNG, SVG, JPG
You can also email us your artwork as an Adobe Illustrator (AI) or Photoshop (PSD) file.
If your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
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. 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 and this may incur an artwork 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.
2. DESIGN CHOICE
When choosing your design try to avoid photographic images with limited tonal range and illustrations with lots of lines and/or shading. Colour gradients are difficult to exactly reproduce since the artwork must be changed into half-tone dots of different sizes. Bold images with blocks of colour tend to give the best results. It is possible to print up to 7 colours, depending on the garment and artwork. Bear in mind that the more colours in the design, the more it will cost. Screen printing is an analogue process so please do not expect your design to be perfectly reproduced after it is developed onto a screen and printed onto fabric substrate.
3. SIZE
Please supply your artwork at the print size you require. Standard print size can be up to 45cm in length and 35cm in width for adult T-shirts, but printable areas can vary between garments/size ranges/products. For example, tea towel designs can be up to 57 x 45cm and tote bag designs can be up to 28 x 30cm (portrait). Label and short-sleeve prints can be up to 8 x 8cm.
4. 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 cm 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.
If you require a print position that's unavailable via our Online Design Tool, it may still be possible. Please email or phone to ask.
5. 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.
6. COLOURS
Please specify your colour in one of the following ways:
Supply a Pantone Matching System (PMS) reference number, or select one from the Online Design Tool
Email your design in colour but remember that colours/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.
Send a hard copy of (something in) the colour, in the post. We will convert this to a the closest matching PMS code.
If your design is already layered with more than one colour, 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.
1. FILE RESOLUTION & TYPE
Artwork files provided should be actual final embroidery size and either 300 dots per inch (dpi), or vectorised.
The following file types are suitable for upload using our online ordering system: PDF, EPS, PNG, SVG, JPG
You can also email us your artwork as an Adobe Illustrator (AI) or Photoshop (PSD) file.
If your vector artwork contains text, please ensure that the text is converted to outlines.
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. 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 and this may incur an artwork 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. COLOURS
We offer a variety of thread colors to achieve the most accurate colour representation for embroidery. When you upload your artwork and select embroidery, the website will automatically detect and display colours in your artwork that match our stock thread colours. If your art requires specific thread colors, please email the specifications to info@idressmyself.co.uk to request a quote for custom embroidery colours.
Disclaimer: When images are embroidered the colours may not match exactly what you see on your screen. Unfortunately, there are differences between how colours are rendered on a computer or phone screen.
Orders placed online can contain up to 5 thread colours. If your artwork requires more than 5 colours you can request an estimate by emailing info@idressmyself.co.uk
6. 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 (such as the Stanley Sparker at 220gsm), sweaters, hoodies, etc are recommended. Lightweight fabrics may show puckering or pulling and are not suitable for embroidery unless it has a low stitch density, 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.
