How to prepare your artwork for DTF printing
Apex Print Studio · · 4 min read
A great print starts with a good file. DTF reproduces your artwork very faithfully, which is wonderful when the file is sharp and less so when it isn't: blurry edges, a stray white box or a too-small logo will print exactly as they are. This guide covers what to send so your print comes out crisp the first time.
1. Send the right file type
- Best: vector files (SVG, PDF, AI or EPS). Vectors are made of shapes rather than pixels, so they stay sharp at any size. If your logo was made by a designer, ask them for the vector version.
- Also great: PNG with a transparent background. Transparency means only your design prints, with no box around it.
- Avoid JPEG where you can. JPEGs can't be transparent, and their compression adds blotchy artefacts around edges and text.
- Screenshots and images saved from WhatsApp or social media are usually too small and compressed. Send the original file instead.
2. Make it big enough: 300 DPI at print size
For image files, aim for 300 DPI at the size it will be printed. In practice, that means 300 pixels for every inch of print. A design that will print 12 inches wide needs to be about 3,600 pixels wide.
Here's what that means for common print positions:
| Placement | Typical print size | Image size at 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| Left or right chest | 3.5 – 4.5 in (9 – 11 cm) | 1,050 – 1,350 px wide |
| Centre chest | 6 – 9 in wide (15 – 23 cm) | 1,800 – 2,700 px wide |
| Full front or full back | up to 12 × 16 in (30 × 40 cm) | up to 3,600 × 4,800 px |
| Back neck label | 2 – 3 in (5 – 8 cm) | 600 – 900 px wide |
| Sleeve | 2.5 – 3.5 in (6 – 9 cm) | 750 – 1,050 px wide |
| Cap front | up to 4.5 × 2.5 in (11 × 6 cm) | up to 1,350 × 750 px |
| Mug (each side) | up to 3.5 × 3.5 in (9 × 9 cm) | up to 1,050 × 1,050 px |
You can see where each position sits on the garment in the placement guide on our services page. Enlarging a small image in software doesn't add detail; it just makes the blur bigger. If your file is too small, tell us, and we'll check what's possible.
Exporting from common tools: in Canva, download as PNG at the largest size, with "Transparent background" ticked (a Canva Pro option). In Photoshop, set the canvas to the final print size at 300 pixels per inch before you design, then export as PNG. In Illustrator, save a PDF or SVG.
3. Remove the background
Anything in your file prints, including a white or coloured box behind the design. Export with a transparent background, or tell us which parts should be left out. Watch for these too:
- Black meant to be "the shirt": on a black tee, black areas in your file still print as black ink. Make them transparent instead, so the fabric shows through.
- Soft glows, faint shadows and feathered edges: very low-opacity effects can print unevenly. Solid shapes and crisp edges always print best. If your design relies on these effects, mention it and we'll advise.
4. Get the colours right
Screens glow; fabric doesn't. Colours on a phone or monitor are made of light, while printed colours are made of ink, so extremely bright neon greens, blues and pinks can print a little softer than they look on screen. For brand colours that must match, share the Pantone references from your brand guide. You will see the colours on your proof before anything is printed.
5. Look after text and fine lines
- Convert text to outlines in vector files, so the font can't be swapped for a different one when we open the file.
- Keep small text readable. DTF holds fine detail well, but very tiny text and hairline strokes can fill in or break up. As a rule of thumb, text that's hard to read on paper at the final size will be hard to read on fabric too.
- Double-check spelling, especially names, dates and phone numbers. It's the most common thing to fix at the proof stage.
6. Tell us about the garment
Let us know the product, colour and fabric (or that you'd like us to suggest one), and whether you're supplying the garments. The fabric decides the press temperature and time, so it matters for a lasting print.
A quick checklist before you send
- Vector file, or a PNG with a transparent background
- About 300 pixels per inch of print size
- No background box, and no black standing in for the fabric
- Pantone references for brand colours, if you have them
- Text converted to outlines, and spelling checked
- Product, garment colour, sizes and quantities
Don't have a print-ready file? Send what you have anyway. We'll tell you whether it will print well, and you'll get a free digital proof before anything is printed. Share your artwork on WhatsApp or through the quote form.
