Every creator has a different way of putting their ideas on paper. Some sketch in Procreate, others doodle on notebook paper, and many drop files straight from Canva. No matter where you start, your artwork can become a real product through screen printing, embroidery, or DTF printing. The trick isn’t about having the “perfect file,” but knowing what helps your artwork translate best into fabric.
Below is a simple guide to prep your designs with just a few easy tips and almost no restrictions.
Screen Printing: Bold, Clean, and Made to Last
Screen printing works best when a design feels intentional. Think of strong shapes, limited colors, and defined lines. This process builds your artwork with real ink layers, and each layer becomes part of the garment. That’s what gives screen printing its durability, soft feel, and classic look.
Basic design tips
- High contrast and solid shapes look great on fabric.
- Avoid extremely thin lines if you can, but it’s not a deal-breaker.
- Simpler color palettes keep prints clean and bold.
- If your design has tons of detail, we can convert it for you. No stress.
File suggestions
- Vector is ideal (PDF, AI, SVG), but PNG with transparency works too.
- We can clean up your file if needed. Even a screenshot can be recreated.
Bottom line: You don’t need to deliver a “perfect” file. If your idea is there, we’ll help make it printable.
Embroidery: Texture, Depth, and Real Thread
Embroidery turns your design into stitches, using texture and layering instead of printed ink. That means even a simple logo gains personality. Small pieces, clothing lines, team merch, and minimalist branding especially shine with thread.
Basic design tips
- Keep tiny lettering to a minimum. Thicker fonts sew better.
- Solid shapes work better than highly shaded artwork.
- We can simplify overly detailed areas so they stitch cleanly.
File suggestions
- PNG, JPG, vector files, or even a picture of a sketch.
- No need to digitize it yourself. We handle professional digitizing.
Bottom line: Don’t worry about stitch files or technical formatting. Bring the idea, we make it embroidery-ready.
DTF Printing: Full Color without Limits
When you need photorealistic prints, wild gradients, neon colors, or fine detail that would be difficult to screen print, DTF picks up where other methods struggle. It’s flexible, easy on small runs, and works great for merch drops with tons of variations.
Basic design tips
- Full color, textures, photos, and tiny detail all work perfectly.
- Translucent shadows and gradients are welcome.
- Clean edges around the design are helpful but not required.
File suggestions
- Transparent PNG or high-resolution art.
- If you don’t have it, we can remove backgrounds or clean it up.
Bottom line: DTF is the easiest method to prep because nearly anything works.
So What’s the Best Format to Send?
Honestly, it’s whatever you have. Whether it’s a raw Canva file, a logo a friend texted you, a PDF from your designer, or even a picture of your sketch, we can work with it. If your idea is clear, we’ll convert it into the right format and suggest the best print method based on your design and your goals.
Final Thoughts: You Focus on Creativity, We Handle the Technical Stuff
Preparation doesn’t have to feel technical. You shouldn’t need to understand mesh counts, stitch densities, vector paths, or color separations to bring your idea to life. Share your artwork, share the style you’re aiming for, and leave the production decisions to the people who work with ink and thread every day.
You bring the creativity. We’ll handle the rest.