SCREEN PRINTING ARTWORK GUIDELINES
VECTOR ARTWORK
When at all possible, use vector artwork. Any art made with vector illustration software like Adobe Illustrator is considered vector art. Vector art is composed of paths, lines, curves, and shapes and allows you to increase or decrease the size of the graphic without distortion. Vector artwork that is saved correctly is easily converted into an acceptable screen printed graphic. If you do not use vector art, our graphic designers will have to completely recreate your design.
SUPPORTED FILE FORMATS
As stated above we prefer vector artwork so an .ai or .eps file is ideal. Please expand all effects and outline all fonts. We will accept non-vector artwork saved as a layered .psd or an image file (.jpg, png or .tiff) but these graphics will need to be recreated by our graphic designers.
SIZE and RESOLUTION
Your screen print logo or design should be sized to the size it will be printed or larger. If you want your print to be 10″ wide, please be sure the actual design within the file is at least 10″ wide, not just the background of your design file. For bitmap files, make them 300 dpi minimum.
Photographs are not composed of vectors. If photos are not high-resolution they will become blurry and unusable when they are enlarged. Use photos that have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. If your design includes linked photos, be certain to include the photos or embed them when you submit your design.
FONTS
If you are including a font in your design, it is important to convert them to outlines. If you don’t we won’t have the font you selected, and won’t be able to use that font. When you convert fonts to outlines or paths, you are assured that your font shape will be preserved. If you don’t have a vector file and our designers need to recreate your design please provide the names of the fonts you used
COLORS
In order to transform your design into a screen-printed garment, each color requires its own film positive and its own screen. Those cost time and money. To reduce your overall cost, use fewer colors to limit the total number of screens. If you know the PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors used in your design please provide them.
QUESTIONS
We will be happy to explain both the process and why certain file formats are necessary. To make it even easier, our graphic designers will be happy to create a custom design just for you. When in doubt just ask. Email design@mncscreenprinting.com any questions.
SEND YOUR FILES
We don’t mind a large email but if you have multiple files, it’s helpful if you zip them first. If your file size is larger than 10 MB, try using a free service like WeTransfer. It’s easy and free. Regardless of how you send them, send your files to info@mncscreenprinting.com.
