Screen Printing Artwork Preparation: 6 Guidelines

Want pro-level screen prints? Nail your artwork prep. Here's how:

1. File format: Vector (.ai, .eps, .pdf) for logos/text. Raster (300+ DPI) for photos.
2. Color separation: Use fewer colors. Avoid gradients. Choose spot colors over CMYK.
3. Design placement: Use mock-ups. Follow standard print locations.
4. Small details: Min 8pt font size. 0.5pt line thickness. Higher mesh counts for fine details.
5. Material adjustments: Adapt ink and technique for different fabrics and colors.
6. Printer communication: Give clear layout instructions. Specify Pantone colors.

Guideline	Key Points
File Format	Vector for logos/text, 300+ DPI raster for photos
Color Separation	Fewer colors, avoid gradients, use spot colors
Design Placement	Use mock-ups, follow standard locations
Small Details	8pt+ font, 0.5pt+ lines, high mesh for fine details
Material Adjustments	Adapt for fabric type and color
Printer Communication	Clear instructions, specify Pantone colors

Follow these guidelines to boost print quality and speed up production.

Related video from YouTube

1. Pick the Best File Format

Choosing the right file format can make or break your screen printing project. Here's what you need to know:

Vector vs. Raster: The Big Showdown

Vector graphics are like magic - they stay crisp no matter how big you make them. Think logos and text.

Raster graphics? They're built from tiny squares called pixels. Great for photos, but they can get fuzzy if you blow them up too much.

File Types That Rock for Screen Printing:

File Type	What It Is	Use It For
AI, EPS	Vector	Logos, text, simple stuff
SVG	Vector	Web graphics you can resize
PNG, JPEG	Raster	Photos, complex images

"Many printers only work with vector graphics. It's easier to tweak if needed." - River City Sportswear

Don't even think about using Word docs or PowerPoint slides. They're NOT made for printing.

Raster Image Resolution: The Magic Number

Using photos or complex images? Here's the deal:

• 300 DPI for most designs
• 600 DPI if you've got tiny text or super detailed stuff

Remember: Low resolution = prints that look like garbage. Always double-check before you send files to your printer.

Pro Tip: Size matters. A 10" x 10" print at 300 DPI needs a 3000 x 3000 pixel image. Do the math!

2. Separate Colors Correctly

Color separation is key in screen printing. It's how we turn your design into something we can actually print.

What is Color Separation?

It's breaking your design into separate color layers. Each color gets its own screen. Think of it like a layered cake - each flavor gets its own level.

We used to do this by hand. Now? We've got software like Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW to do the heavy lifting.

Use Fewer Colors

Here's the deal: More colors = more work = more money. So, keep it simple:

• 1-3 colors for logos and text
• 4-6 colors max for complex designs

Pro tip: Squint at your design. The colors you can still see? Those are your keepers.

Avoid Gradients and Complex Colors

Gradients look cool, but they're tough to print. Why?

• They need tons of tiny dots to look smooth
• More dots = more room for error

Stick to solid colors or simple patterns instead. Your printer will love you for it.

Spot Colors vs. CMYK

Spot Colors	CMYK
Pre-mixed inks	4 base colors
Great for logos	Best for photos
Exact color match	Less precise
Fewer screens	Always 4 screens

Most printers like spot colors from the Pantone Matching System (PMS). It's like a color recipe book.

Bottom line: Keep it simple, use fewer colors, and stick to solids when you can. Your design will pop, and your print job will be a breeze.

3. Plan Design Placement and Size

Getting your design placement and size right is crucial for screen-printed garments. Here's how to nail it:

Use Mock-ups and Test Prints

Always create mock-ups and test prints before a full production run. It's a must.

Here's a trick: Print your design at full size and place it on a garment. It's a simple way to see how your design will actually look.

For precise alignment, try this:

1. Put a small circle sticker in the middle of the garment's collar.
2. Use this to line up your design.
3. This helps center your print and get the right distance from the collar.

What Affects Design Placement

Several things influence where to place your design:

• Garment type (T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops)
• Design size
• Brand guidelines

Quick guide to standard print locations:

Location	Size	Distance from Collar
Left Chest	3"-4" wide	3" down
Center Chest	6"-10" wide	4" down
Full Front	12" wide x 14" high	3" down

Sizing for Different Garments

One size doesn't fit all. Keep these points in mind:

• Adult shirts: aim for 9"-10" wide designs
• Wide size range orders: consider two separate print sizes
• Youth sizes, toddler shirts, onesies: adjust design size accordingly

"You can request customer service to have two different images for your order if you want smaller prints for smaller sizes and larger prints for larger sizes." - Big City Sportswear & Graphics

Heads up: Different sizes for smaller and larger garments usually cost extra. It's typically about $15 per imprint color and location.

sbb-itb-6f489d9

4. Pay Attention to Small Details

Small details can make or break your screen printing design. Let's look at font sizes, line weights, and mesh counts to keep your prints sharp.

Smallest Font and Line Sizes

For clear text and lines, follow these guidelines:

• Minimum font size: 8pt for most fonts
• Minimum line thickness: 0.25pt (offset printing), 0.5pt (digital printing)
• For reversed type: 0.5pt minimum line thickness

"With text height of 25mils and line width of 5 mils, the characters will be unidentifiable." - JLCPCB

To avoid this, stick to these minimums:

Element	Minimum Size
Text height	40 mil (1mm)
Line width	6 mil (0.15mm)

Printing Small Text and Detailed Designs

For intricate designs:

1. Pick simple fonts for small text
2. Check letter spacing
3. Preview at 100% scale

For DTG printing:

• Font sizes above 10pt
• Line thickness of at least 10 pixels

Mesh Counts Matter

Higher mesh counts (200+) work best for fine lines and halftone details. Talk to your printer about the right mesh count for your design.

Tip: Air-dry inks can clog screens. Work fast, use the right mesh count, and consider Computer-to-Screen (CTS) for sharper prints.

5. Adjust for Different Materials

Screen printing isn't one-size-fits-all. Different fabrics need different approaches. Here's how to adapt:

Fabric Impact on Design

Fabric choice can make or break your print:

• Cotton: Soaks up ink like a sponge. Vibrant colors, cheap, heat-resistant.
• Silk: Smooth sailing for even designs, but colors might not pop as much.
• Wool: Good color absorption, but can be a pain to print on evenly.
• Synthetics: Less porous, so ink might not stick as well.

Tweaking Designs for Fabrics

Fabric	What to Do
Cotton	Standard ink works. Go wild with details.
Silk	Keep it simple. Use adhesive to stop slipping.
Wool	Go bold. Try wool blends for easier printing.
Synthetics	Add fixer to make ink stick.

Dark vs. Light Fabrics

Dark fabrics? Use light inks. Maybe add a white base layer to make colors pop.

Light fabrics? Dark inks work great. But always test first.

"Silk's a slippery customer. Keep it still on the print table or platen." - PERMASET Expert

Thick fabrics? More ink. Thin fabrics? Less ink. Simple as that.

6. Talk Clearly with Your Printer

Clear communication with your printer is crucial. Here's how to get it right:

Give Clear Layout Instructions

Tell your printer exactly where you want your design:

• Add crosshairs for center alignment
• Label each color
• Convert colors to black for clarity
• Send a JPEG with your order

Michael Sartor, Owner of Custom Print Tees, says:

"The biggest mistake? Sending low-res JPEG files, like screenshots from the Internet. We can't use those."

Specify Ink Colors and Pantone Matching

Colors on screen often look different when printed. To avoid surprises:

• Use Pantone Matching System (PMS) references
• Email specific Pantone colors with your order number
• Remember: Up to 6 colors per order; more costs extra

Color Type	Action	Cost
Standard	Use available Pantone colors	Included
Special	Request color mix	$12.50 per color

Discuss Special Printing Methods

Some designs need extra steps. Talk to your printer about:

• Fabric types
• Special effects
• Printing on dark vs. light fabrics

The Opportunity Center advises:

"Come prepared. It helps our artists get the design right (or close) on the first try."

Good communication leads to better prints. Ask questions and clarify details with your printer.

Conclusion

Screen printing artwork prep is a skill you'll get better at with practice. Follow these six guidelines to boost your print quality and speed up production:

1. Use vector art (.ai, .pdf, .eps)
2. Keep raster graphics at 300 DPI minimum
3. Separate colors correctly and use Pantone
4. Plan design placement and size
5. Mind the details (font sizes, line thickness)
6. Adjust for fabric types and colors

Don't forget to talk to your printer about ALL aspects of the job.

Want to level up? Study existing designs, create new prints often, and dive into online resources to sharpen your skills.

FAQs

How do you prepare artwork for a screen?

Here's how to prep your artwork for screen printing:

1. Open Adobe Illustrator (or another vector program)
2. Load the template file
3. Find the 'LAYERS' panel
4. Click on 'YOUR DESIGN GOES HERE' layer
5. Create your design in the marked area
6. Convert all fonts to outlines
7. Save as a PDF

Simple, right?

What's the best image format for screen printing?

Vector files, hands down. They're crisp, clean, and resize like a dream. Go for:

• .ai (Adobe Illustrator)
• .eps (Encapsulated PostScript)
• .pdf (Portable Document Format)

Got photos? Use high-res raster files (300 dpi minimum).

How do I get my design ready for screen printing?

Prep your design like this:

1. Stick to vector graphics when you can
2. Raster images? Crank that resolution to 300 dpi
3. Turn text into outlines
4. Separate colors properly
5. Use Pantone colors for spot-on matching
6. Keep it simple - ditch gradients and complex colors
7. Double-check font and line sizes with your printer

How to graphic design for screen printing?

Try this approach:

1. Know your audience and design purpose
2. Pick a limited color palette
3. Choose ONE clear focal point
4. Pick fonts that fit your vibe
5. Simplify, simplify, simplify
6. Step back, take breaks, and look with fresh eyes

Remember: in screen printing, less is often more.