File Prep

File Prep

Learn how to prepare an image for screen printing. Feel free to contact us if you still have questions.

Prepare Your Art

All files must be at least 300 ppi or Vector Format. If your file is not 300 ppi, you cannot just increase the resolution of the file. This is called "upsampling" and will result in a blurry image. If you are creating your file in Adobe Illustrator or another Vector-based software, just size your image to the size you want it to print.

Please Note: 3 or more color changes is no longer considered the same design!

Half Tones: Please allow us to halftone the images for you. If we do not control the halftones, we cannot guarantee the quality of the print. We do understand that some designs are complex and will require separation fees, as a client you may be inclined to try to separate or halftone the image yourself to try to keep your cost as low as possible. Unfortunately this does not work. Our computers in the art department are calibrated to set the halftones specifically for the films and screens that we use for printing. Often times if you try to separate or halftone the image yourself it may cause more art charges than you would have originally incurred.

Accepted File Types

We accept the following File Types:

• Illustrator (.AI)
• Vector (.EPS)
• Photoshop (.PSD)
• PDF
• JPEG

We prefer .AI or .EPS files first because Vector images can be scaled without affecting quality. We prefer .PSD or .PDF second & .JPG last.

Size Your Design

Your screen print logo or design should be sized to the size it should be printed. If you want your print to be 10" wide, please be sure the actual design within the file is 10" wide, not just the background of your design file. 

Convert Your Text to Outlines

If you are creating your file in Adobe Illustrator, you will need to choose "Create Outlines" on all your text. This allows us to open the file without requiring the font.

Fishtail Screen Sizes

• Standard Screens - 14" x 17"
• Jumbo Screens - 18" x 23"

Printed/Sewn In Tag Information

It is required by the US Government that the following information be included in all garments:

• Size
• % of Material
• Country of Origin (for the garment, not your brand)
• Care Instructions

These are non-negotiable. We cannot list "Printed in the US" or "Processed in the US" instead of listing what country the shirt is manufactured in, it *must* have the country information on the garment. If you are unaware of the information needed for the shirts you are ordering, please leave your tag files editable and add place holders for the information. When you submit your artwork, please submit the editable tag file (PSD or AI) as well as the fonts used to create the tag. The fonts are very important as we cannot edit fonts we don't have.

Max Imprints

Please note that not all shirts will be sewn exactly the same; these dimensions are to be used for reference as a "safe" zone to avoid printing on any seams or edges. Be sure to check the specific product page for "Size Specs" specific to that garment. NOTE: Any print that goes over a seam can result in imperfections in the print. (Which can be very cool-looking, if you're into that.)