How to Prepare Artwork for T-Shirt Printing (Without Expensive Mistakes)

30 May

Ordering custom T-shirts should be easy. However, one of the most common reasons for delays, poor print quality, and unexpected costs is artwork that isn't ready for production.

At Grafica Creative Studio in Brisbane, we receive artwork from Canva, AI image generators, screenshots, PDFs, Word documents, and even photos taken on mobile phones. Some files work perfectly, while others require significant adjustments before printing can begin.

Here's what you need to know before submitting your design.

1. The Best File Formats for T-Shirt Printing

The best file formats are:

PDF
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
EPS
SVG
High-resolution PNG with transparent background

Vector files such as AI, EPS, PDF, and SVG provide the best results because they can be scaled without losing quality.

If you don't have a vector file, a high-resolution PNG can also work well for most garment printing projects.

2. Screenshots Usually Don't Work

One of the most common mistakes is sending a screenshot of a logo or design.

A screenshot may look sharp on a phone or computer screen, but it often contains very few pixels. When enlarged for printing, the design becomes blurry, pixelated, and unprofessional.

If possible, always send the original artwork file.

3. Understanding Resolution

For quality T-shirt printing, artwork should be at least 300 DPI at the final print size.

For example, if you want a 30cm wide chest print, the artwork should already be large enough to print at that size without being enlarged.

Low-resolution images may look acceptable on screen but often produce disappointing results on fabric.

4. AI Generated Artwork and Common Problems

AI-generated artwork has become extremely popular, but many customers don't realise the files often require preparation before printing.

Common issues include:

Low resolution
Strange details and distortions
Missing transparency
Unwanted backgrounds
Colours that print differently from what appears on screen

Before production, it's important to review AI-generated artwork carefully to ensure it is suitable for garment printing.

5. RGB vs CMYK

Computer screens display colour using RGB.

Printing uses a different colour process.

Because of this, some colours may appear slightly different when printed compared to what you see on your monitor.

Bright neon colours and highly saturated tones are the most likely to shift.

6. Canva Designs for T-Shirt Printing

Canva is a fantastic design tool and many customer files come from Canva.

To achieve the best results:

Export as PDF Print where possible
Use high-resolution images
Avoid screenshots
Keep text editable until final approval

Canva designs can produce excellent printed results when exported correctly.

7. What If I Don't Have Print-Ready Artwork?

Don't worry.

Many customers come to us with only a logo, a rough concept, or even a photo of a sketch.

We can review your files and advise whether they are suitable for printing before production begins.

Need Help Preparing Your Artwork?

Grafica Creative Studio offers custom T-shirt printing, tote bag printing, hoodie printing, and branded merchandise from our Brisbane studio.

If you're unsure whether your artwork is ready, simply send us your files and we'll review them before printing.

Roberto Fogassi