Send the right file type first
The best starting point is an editable vector file or a high resolution print file. For logos, text and clean line work, vector is usually the safest choice because it scales without losing sharpness. For photos or detailed artwork, send the highest quality version you have, not something saved from a chat app or social feed.
We work with artwork for T-shirts, caps, banners and signage, so the file should match the job. A cap logo needs different setup from a 3 metre banner and a one colour school crest needs different handling from a full colour sponsor graphic.
- Preferred for logos and line art: vector artwork with text converted to outlines
- Preferred for photos: high resolution image file at final size
- Good extras to include: the font name, colour references, and any old artwork used before
- Send only the final version you want printed, not a folder full of mixed drafts
Check image quality before you send it
A file can look fine on a phone screen and still print badly. Small images pulled from websites are often too soft, and screenshots usually carry compression marks. If the image is blurry before we start, it will stay blurry on print. For larger signage and banners, low quality files become more obvious once stretched to size.
If you are unsure, zoom in on your artwork to 100 percent on a computer. If the edges are rough, the text has jagged sides, or the photo starts to break up, send a better version. A clean master file helps us keep the print sharp and keeps waste down.
- Do not enlarge a small image and expect it to stay sharp
- Avoid screenshots, WhatsApp forwards and social media downloads if possible
- Check that faces, logos and small text are still clear at the final size
- If you are reusing old artwork from a previous job, ask for the original file if you have it
Set up colour the practical way
Colours on screen do not always match ink on garment or substrate, and that matters when you need school colours or corporate shades to stay consistent. If you have a specific colour requirement, send the reference as a Pantone if available, or a sample photo and a clear description. We can then advise whether the job suits screen print, digital print or a separated process.
Black and white artwork is usually simple, but mixed colours can need careful colour separation. Some files use too many shades for a clean print and that can lead to muddied results. When possible, limit colours to what is actually needed. It makes the artwork cleaner and helps with quoting.
- Tell us if the colour must match an existing garment, sign, or school item
- Use solid colour references where possible, not only a screen image
- Keep gradients and transparent effects only if they are really needed
- For one colour printing, make sure the artwork is truly one colour and not a mix of near tones
Make text and layout easy to print
Small type, thin lines and crowded layouts can give trouble on screens and on finished print. If your logo has very fine detail, check whether it will still hold on a cap, left chest print or sleeve print. A design that looks neat on an A4 page may become too busy once it is reduced for production.
Also check spelling, spacing and line breaks before sending the file. It is better to fix a typo in your artwork than on a full run of shirts or banners. Once a stencil or screen is made, changes can slow the whole job down and add cost.
- Keep small text readable at the actual print size
- Avoid hairline rules and tiny gaps between objects
- Check spelling of names, school details, dates and contact info
- Make sure the layout still works if it needs to be resized for different items
Prepare files for screen making and separations
For screen printing, the artwork may need extra work before it is ready for film output and screen exposure. That can include vector redrawing, colour separation, trapping and cleaning up rough edges. If your file has low resolution text, missing links or embedded effects that cannot print well, we will need to rebuild parts of it.
This is normal for production work, but it is quicker if the source file is tidy. Files with linked images, missing fonts or strange layer settings can hold up the job. When you send a clean file, we can move faster on artwork checking, film output and screen setup.
- Supply editable vector files when you have them
- Tell us if the design must be split into spot colours or process colours
- Remove hidden layers, extra notes and unused artboards if possible
- Include any instructions for print placement, sizes and garment colour
What to include with every enquiry
The more useful detail we get upfront, the easier it is to quote properly. Tell us what you want printed, where it will be used and how many pieces you need. A run for a Durban school, a Pinetown business order and a Pietermaritzburg club kit may all need different setup depending on size, quantity and finish.
When you send the file through the enquiry form on our contact page, add the basics below. That helps us decide whether the job needs artwork correction, screen reclaiming, test printing or direct digital print. It also helps us plan around urgent dates, coastal humidity and load-shedding where timing matters.
- Item type: T-shirt, cap, banner, sticker, sign or other substrate
- Print size and position: front, back, sleeve, cap front or full banner area
- Quantity needed and whether the order is for one event or repeat supply
- Deadline, delivery area and any school or business approval notes
