Before sending a T-shirt design to a screen printer, prepare the artwork and production details the shop needs to evaluate it. The file should be clean at its final size, the intended colors should be clear, and the print locations should be measured. Requirements differ by shop, ink, garment, and equipment, so ask the printer for its preferred format before you export a final file.
Quick answer
Send the printer an editable or high-resolution artwork file, target print dimensions, garment and color, quantity by size, number of locations, deadline, and shipping details. Identify any colors that need to match a reference and keep small type or thin lines large enough to remain legible. Ask the shop whether it needs vector artwork, color separations, a specific color profile, or a transparent background. Approve a proof before production.
Start with a print-ready design
Use artwork you own or have permission to print. Keep an editable master and make a separate production copy so corrections do not overwrite the original. Build the artwork at the intended print dimensions and inspect it at actual size. Enlarge small text on screen until it matches the size you expect on the garment; details that look clear while zoomed in may disappear when printed.
Vector artwork can help preserve clean edges for logos and shapes, while photographs and textured illustrations usually use raster files. A shop may request a particular format such as PDF, AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, or a layered source file. Do not assume all printers have the same requirements. The site’s T-shirt artwork checklist covers file, font, and size preparation.
Make color and layers understandable
Tell the printer how many visible ink colors the design is intended to use. If the file contains gradients, transparencies, distressed texture, or photographic detail, ask whether the shop can reproduce it with the planned process. The printer may recommend simplifying the art or changing the method. Avoid naming a color “red” and assuming every production system interprets it identically; supply a clear reference when a close match matters and ask what the shop can guarantee.
For a light design on a dark garment, the shop may need an underbase or other preparation, depending on ink and fabric. Ask the printer how garment color affects the final result. A digital preview does not perfectly predict every fabric and ink combination, so a physical sample can be valuable for a large or time-sensitive run.
Specify the print locations and dimensions
List each print location separately: left chest, center front, full back, sleeve, or another area. Give the desired width and height and explain the reference point for placement. A visual mockup helps the printer understand the idea, but a mockup should not replace written dimensions and a production proof.
Check the layout on the smallest and largest garment in the order. A large graphic may need a different size across variants, while a small logo should remain readable. Avoid placing important text near a seam, pocket, or curved edge. The site’s logo placement guide offers examples of common print areas.
Give the shop the same quote details every time
| Information | What to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Garment | Style, fabric preference, color, sizes | Blank availability and compatibility affect the work |
| Artwork | File, dimensions, visible colors, locations | The shop can assess setup and production needs |
| Quantity | Total and count by size/color | Run size affects the quote and inventory |
| Timing | Date needed and flexibility | Rush work and production capacity can change cost |
| Delivery | Pickup or shipping destination and packaging | Clarifies the final order total |
Ask whether the quote includes artwork cleanup, screen setup, sample or proof, folding, individual bags, freight, and any minimum charge. If you are supplying your own blanks, confirm the printer accepts them and ask how damaged pieces are handled.
Review the proof and approve a sample
Before production, inspect the proof for spelling, size, location, color count, and garment variant. Confirm which parts of the mockup are illustrative and which details are guaranteed. If print feel, color, or placement is important, order a sample. Compare it with the approved artwork and wash it according to the supplier’s guidance before committing to a large reorder.
A local band ordering tour shirts should send the final date, quantity by size, garment color, and each print location in one brief. A small brand may also provide a reference color and ask for a sample. Keeping a copy of the approved file, quote, and proof makes future reorders easier to compare.
When another print method may fit better
Screen printing is one option, not a default for every file or quantity. Detailed full-color art, a small test order, embroidery, and all-over patterns may require different processes. Compare the site’s screen printing vs. DTF guide, then ask the provider to assess the actual project. For custom-order planning, use the bulk T-shirt checklist and compare custom T-shirt options.
Frequently asked questions
Does every screen printer want vector art?
No. Requirements vary. Ask the specific shop what it can accept and whether it can prepare your file for production.
How many colors should I use?
Use the number needed for the design, but understand that colors can affect setup and production. Ask the printer to quote the actual artwork.
Can I send a mockup instead of the design file?
A mockup communicates appearance but is not always production-ready. Provide the original design file and a mockup if the shop requests both.
Should I approve a sample?
It is useful when color, garment, print feel, or placement matters. Review it before approving the full run.
