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Artwork Requirements

For different printing and embroidery products the artwork requirements can be different. Please find some guidelines for artwork below:

Vector Artwork

The best artwork for printing and embroidery is always going to be vector artwork. This is artwork that has been created using software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape and other similar packages.

This artwork is created piece by piece and uses mathematical equations to create the final design.

This means that the when the artwork is resized the equations recalculate their relative positions. They are able to remain the exact same shape as before, albeit larger or smaller than they were originally drawn.

These file extension types are usually things like:

  • .cdr (CorelDraw)
  • .ai (illustrator)
  • .svg (simple vector graphic)
  • .eps (electronic post script)
  • .pdf (these can contain either vector or bitmap images)

Although it can be that a bitmap image has been saved in one of these formats. Unfortunately this means that the image you have will still be a bitmap image and will not have the functionality of the vector image.

Vector artwork can be used for all prints and embroidery - hoodies, t-shirts, printed tablecloths, printed table runners, mugs, caps, beanies, canvas prints - pretty much anything.

Bitmap Images

These are raster images, based on pixels to make up the design, rather than maths equations.

What this means is that the image is a single, flat image and all of the parts of the design only exist in one 2D format, whereas with a vector the image is more 3D - each part exists in it's own right, on it's own layer.

With bitmap images the design is made from pixels of a specific colour, so made up from squares of each colour. This looks great at the size it was created but can become blocky when increased to be printed at larger sizes.

Another downside is that as this is a flat image, with all pieces on the same layer the only essential pieces for cut lines are the outer edges of the square or rectangle. Compare this to the vector image where each item is an individual piece and can have its own cutline.

Bitmap images do have their uses though. These are great for canvas prints, photographic work, mugs and some of the t-shirt and hoody prints depending on your requirements. These images are best for the dye sublimation printing. 

Bitmap images are usually in the following formats:

  • .jpg
  • .png
  • .psd
  • .jpeg
  • .gif
  • .pdf

This can be a little confusing - especially if you have not got a lot of experience in the graphic design world. But please do not be concerned. If you can contact us with your requirements we will help you step through what you need.

If you have artwork, or have created your own artwork in Word or another similar programme, or had a design created for you it can help if you know what fonts have been used and you have an idea of the exact colours  you require in your branding. 

If not, we can help, just contact us, send through what you have and we will have a look and let you know what we can do to help. 

We may be able to redraw your logo for you - there may be a fee for this if you would like to have a copy for future use for yourself.