Great artwork is the foundation of a great screen print. The better your files are when you submit them, the faster we can get your project into production – and the better your finished product will look. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or working with a graphic artist for the first time, this guide covers everything you need to know about submitting print-ready files to Ink Brigade.
Preferred File Formats
Not all file types are created equal when it comes to screen printing. Here’s what we prefer, in order:
Adobe Illustrator (.AI) – Our top choice. Native vector files give us maximum flexibility. Make sure vector fonts are outlined
Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS) – Another excellent vector format that works across design software. Make sure vector fonts are outlined
Adobe Photoshop (.PSD) – Great for complex, raster-based designs. Keep layers intact and editable.
PDF (high-resolution) – Widely compatible. Make sure fonts are outlined and images are embedded.
We can also work with high-resolution PNG and TIFF files, though vector formats are always preferred when available.
What we can’t use: JPEGs from Google Images, low-resolution screenshots, Word documents with pasted images, or files pulled from social media. These are all low-resolution and will not produce quality prints.
Why Vector Art Matters
If there’s one thing to remember from this entire guide, it’s this: vector artwork is king in screen printing.
Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG) use mathematical paths instead of pixels. That means they can be scaled to any size – from a business card to a billboard – without losing any quality. When we need to resize your design to fit a specific print area or create color separations, vector art gives us clean, crisp edges every time.
Raster files (PSD, PNG, TIFF) are made up of pixels, which means they have a fixed resolution. Enlarge them too much, and you get fuzzy, pixelated edges. That might look fine on a screen, but it shows up clearly in a print.
If your logo or design was originally created in Illustrator or a similar vector program, always send us that original file rather than an exported JPEG or PNG.
Resolution Requirements
If you’re working with raster files (Photoshop, PNG, TIFF), resolution is critical:
Minimum 300 DPI at the actual print size. This is the standard for quality screen printing.
Never 72 DPI. Images from websites, social media, or Google are typically 72 DPI – great for screens, terrible for print. They’ll look blurry and pixelated.
Size matters too. A 300 DPI file that’s only 2 inches wide can’t be enlarged to 12 inches without significant quality loss. Make sure your file is at least as large as the final print size at 300 DPI.
A quick test: zoom into your image to 100% on your screen. If it looks sharp and detailed, it’s probably high enough resolution. If it looks fuzzy or you can see individual pixels, it’s not going to print well.
Color Considerations
Color in screen printing works differently than color on your monitor:
Pantone (PMS) colors: This is the gold standard for screen printing. Pantone colors are pre-mixed inks that ensure exact color matching. If your brand has specific PMS colors, include them in your file or order notes.
Spot colors: Each color in your design typically requires its own screen. A 3-color design = 3 screens. Keep this in mind when budgeting – simpler color counts are more cost-effective.
CMYK vs RGB files: RGB files create a brighter image than can be produced with a screen print. Set your art file to CMYK and make the colors look the way you want them to in the CMYK color mode.
Monitor colors vary: What you see on screen won’t exactly match a printed result. This is normal – every monitor displays color slightly differently. Physical Pantone books (not online pantone references) are the only reliable reference. That being said the overwhelming majority of customers don’t have pantone books and are happy with us getting a close color match by eye to their art file so don’t stress too much!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve seen it all over the years. Here are the most common file issues that slow down production:
Low-resolution files: That logo from your website at 72 DPI won’t cut it. Always send the highest quality version you have.
Too many colors: Each color adds a screen (and cost). If your design has 8+ colors, talk to us – we can often suggest ways to simplify without losing impact.
Missing or unoutlined fonts: If you used custom fonts in Illustrator, convert them to outlines before sending. Otherwise, we might not have the font installed and your text wont display to us correctly.
Embedded transparency or effects: Drop shadows, outer glows, and gradient meshes can cause issues in separation. Flatten these effects or discuss them with us first.
Wrong color mode: Make sure your file is set to the correct color mode. Make sure your file is set to CMYK and include PMS callouts for spot colors if you are needing very specific coloring.
Maximum Print Sizes
Good to know before you finalize your design:
Max print area: 15″ wide x 19″ tall – Keep in mind that the garment size affects available print area too. A youth small has less real estate than an adult 3XL, so if your order includes a wide size range, we’ll work with you to find a print size that looks great across all sizes.
What If You Don’t Have Print-Ready Art?
Don’t stress. Not everyone has a designer on speed dial, and that’s totally fine. We work with a network of talented graphic designers and can connect you with someone who’s a great fit for your project. Here are your options:
If you have a rough concept, sketch, or reference images, send them over and our team can help refine your idea into print-ready artwork.
If you have an existing logo but only in low resolution, we can often recreate it as a clean vector file.
Art services and setup fees may apply depending on complexity, but we’ll always quote that upfront so there are no surprises.
How to submit your files: Email your artwork to sales@inkbrigade.com. For large files (over 10MB), feel free to use Dropbox, Google Drive, or any file-sharing service and send us the link.