Art Guidelines

Submitting the right artwork file makes a significant difference to the quality of your finished order. At Artik, the goal is always to use your art file to produce the best possible print. Following these artwork guidelines gives us the best foundation to do exactly that. If you have any questions about your design, reach out to [email protected], and our team will help you get it sorted.

Artwork Guidelines: Accepted File Types and Formats

Different file types suit different situations, and understanding which format works best for your project sets the stage for success. Artik accepts a range of file types to accommodate clients using different software and at different skill levels.

Vector files are strongly preferred for screen printing, as they scale without loss of quality and enable precise color separation.

  • Adobe Illustrator Files (.ai)

Illustrator files are vector-based and offer the highest level of print quality. Before sending, convert all fonts and type to outlines to avoid font compatibility issues. Saving the file as an .EPS format improves compatibility across different systems.

  • Adobe Photoshop Files (.psd)

Photoshop files are raster-based, which means resolution matters. Files should be 300 DPI or higher at the actual intended print size. Keep file size below 6MB where possible, and always send the .psd file with layers intact so our team can make adjustments if needed.

  • CorelDRAW Files (.cdr)

CorelDRAW files are fully accepted and work well for custom print projects. As with Illustrator files, convert all fonts and type to outlines before submitting to avoid text-rendering issues during production.

  • Image Files (.jpg or .png)

Image files are accepted provided they meet the quality threshold. Files should be saved at 300 DPI at the actual print size. Low-resolution images stretched to fit a larger print area will result in a soft or pixelated finished product, so quality matters here.

  • PDF Files

PDF is a reliable format for reducing file size without compromising quality too much. If all you have is a Word document containing your artwork, send it over as a PDF. Our art department will assess it and help recreate the design where needed.

Standard Pantone Colors

Please provide PMS numbers using the solid-coated Pantone reference for color accuracy across print runs. Supplying PMS codes allows our team to match your brand colors as precisely as possible during ink mixing and production.

Need Help With Your Artwork?

Not every client comes to us with print-ready artwork, and that's perfectly fine. Artik's art department is available to help recreate or prepare files at a rate of $30 per half hour. For clients working with incomplete or low-resolution files, this service can save a lot of back-and-forth and get your order into production faster.

Alternatively, the online design tool available on each product page gives you access to over 13,000 free design templates and clip art. [Learn More]

Our team digitizes your artwork as part of the embroidery order process, converting it into the correct machine-readable format. Presenting a clean, high-quality file still makes a meaningful difference to the accuracy of the final stitched result.

Vector vs. Raster Files

Understanding the difference between vector and raster files helps you submit the right format from the start.

Vector files (such as .ai, .eps, and .cdr) are made up of mathematical paths rather than pixels. They scale to any size without losing quality, making them ideal for logos and print graphics.

Raster files (such as .jpg, .png, and .psd) are made up of pixels. Scaling them up reduces quality, which is why resolution requirements are so important. A file submitted at 72 DPI will not produce a sharp print, regardless of how it looks on a screen.

When in doubt, vector is always the safer choice for apparel printing.

Digital Printing: Bleed Guidelines

What Is Bleed?

Bleed refers to the extra margin of artwork that extends beyond the intended cut line. When designs are printed on large sheets and then trimmed, a small trimming tolerance is unavoidable. Without bleed, even minor trimming shifts can result in a thin white border appearing on the edge of your design.

As a general rule, extend your artwork 1/8" to 1/4" outward from the final cut edges, depending on the product. Specific bleed requirements vary by item, so check the product page or ask our team if you're unsure.

Submit Great Artwork, Get a Great Result

Taking a few extra minutes to prepare your artwork correctly saves time in production and leads to a finished product you'll be proud of. Artik's team is always available to guide you through the process if anything feels uncertain.

Send us your file and let's turn your design into something worth wearing. Contact us if you need further assistance.