Artwork Specifications for t-shirt printing.

General Information

Vector artwork is preferable

All text must be converted to outlines

No RGB colour profiles. CMYK or PMS only (N.B. depending on print method, exact colour matching may not be possible)

PMS colours / CMYK breakdowns noted in file

PMS = Pantone Colours

Transparencies will need to be flattened, depending on print method

Minimum of 300dpi for raster files

All images to be embedded/linked to original file

What if I don’t have a good artwork?

Don’t panic just yet, send through what you have and we can assess what your options are and then can advise accordingly.

Please be aware that recreation of artwork may incur additional fees

Vector vs. Raster

Vector

Illustrator = ai / pdf / eps based files

made up of a series of individual shapes, lines and text

can be separated more easily when multiple colours are used

can be scaled up and down with no loss in quality

overlapping shapes of the same colour must be merged (joined)

Vector files are always first preference

Raster

Photoshop = psd / pdf / jpeg / png

Made up of a series of dots (pixels

DPI = dots per inch i.e. the more dpi the better quality = the more dots per inch

Each colour must be supplied on individual layers in Photoshop so colour separation is more effective

Scaling can reduce quality as the pixels are enlarged i.e. edges may become fuzzy/blurry and is then termed “pixelated”

No smaller than 300dpi. This can be determined by taking note of the file size in terms of mg’s i.e. a 300dpi file will be at least 1Mb. Anything in kb is generally not clear enough

Canvas size must be cropped to just outside the image so there is limited ‘unused’ space around image

Png files to be supplied with background removed

Print Types

Embroidery

Stitch based application

Good quality, durable, low contrast, good for logos

Price based on number of stitches not number of colours

Artwork that is intricate, has fine details or shading is unsuitable

Vector format preferable

Can digitise from raster

Vector formats permit greater accuracy when digitising a design

PMS colour will be converted to most appropriate colour available. Every PMS colour can not be held as a thread colour, but where possible as close as possible matching is used

Artwork is to be supplied at actual size

Please contact us if you require further information regarding appropriate dimensions of artwork for specific garment areas

We do not offer Embroidery on BYO garments

T-shirts, hoodies, uniforms and caps

Bulk order, Off-shore, indent and large run Embroidery services available

Minimum 15 units

Screen Printing

Ink based application. Ink is passed through fine mesh screens onto garment

Great quality, good definition, very durable

Price is based on number of colours i.e. number of colours determines number of screens = set ups

Each colour needs a new/different screen. After each colour is applied to garment, it needs to be dried before each additional colour is added

Two main types of inks:

Plastisol – sits on top of garment, easier workability

Water Based – absorbed by garment, more costly due to high workability

Screen print types:

4 colour process screen printing- photo like images printed using CMYK and half tones

Foil screen printing- glue printed onto the fabric and then the material is applied

Flock screen print- glue printed onto the fabric and then the material is applied

Glitter screen printing- particles add to the ink

Glow in the Dark screen printing

Puff screen print- expands the print on the garment, creating a 3D feel.

Dark garments require a base i.e. addition screen, to ensure colours are at their optimum

Artwork to be supplied at actual size

Vector and raster files accepted

Raster files must be supplied with each colour on a separate layer and with no background (or on a separate layer)

Vector files must be supplied with all overlapping shapes/text of the same colour merged

All text outlined (vector files), all text converted to shape (raster files)

Colours supplied as PMS and noted in file

Offshore screen-printing available, large run screen printing

Mabuzi.com always screen prints a white base on dark garments.

Mabuzi.com offers proofs on all screen print jobs over 15 units.

We do not offer Screen Printing on BYO garments.

Minimum 15 units for screen printing inhouse.

Bulk order, Off-shore, indent and large run screen printing services available

T-shirts, hoodies, caps and bags

Please contact us if you require further information regarding appropriate dimensions of artwork for specific garment areas for Screen printing

Digital Printing

Direct to Garment – D2G

Direct computer based printing

Faded appearance, great for fashion retro look

Ink applied direct to the garment hence Direct to Garment

Garments are fed onto a flat bed platen before ink is sprayed directly on garment with image

Suitable for complex images with lots of colours and gradients

Vector files preferable

100 – 300dpi raster files

Psd, png and jpegs accepted

Psd and Png files must have all layers merged with a transparent (no) background

Vector files must be supplied with all overlapping shapes/text of the same colour merged

All text outlined (vector files), all text converted to shape (raster files)

CYMK print process, exact colour matching IS NOT possible. Colour matching is tedious and not cost savvy

We do not offer Direct to Garment printing on BYO garments

Bulk order Off-shore, indent and large run services available

Minimum 15 units

T-shirts and caps

Please contact us if you require further information regarding appropriate dimensions of artwork for specific garment areas

Digital Transfer – DTP

Direct computer based printing

High contrast, photographic quality, great for logos, very durable

ECO-SOL MAX inks

Digital Transfer process is a print and cut method, files are printed onto textile media and then contour cut before being applied to garment

Fine lines and text for Digital Transfers may have to have a key line printed depending on dimension and positioning

Complex images are generally ok, however fine and intricate detailing maybe lost or need to be adjusted before printing

Vector files preferable for transfer printing.

Raster files also accepted including Photoshop files (.psd), jpegs for transfer printing.

Png files (with transparencies) will need to be flattened as computer program does not read these file types

Vector files must be supplied with all overlapping shapes/text of the same colour merged

All text outlined (vector files), all text converted to shape (raster files)

CYMK print process, exact colour matching IS NOT possible. Colour matching is tedious and not cost savvy

Digital Transfer: Large runs available

Minimum of 1 unit

BYO Garments allowed.

T-shirts, caps, bags, uniforms, sports teams, lycra

Please contact us if you require further information regarding appropriate dimensions of artwork for specific garment areas

Vinyl

Computer cut method, hand weeded and heat applied.

High contrast, soft to the touch, durable, speciality colours

Specific machine cut designs/text from rolls of block colour sheets

Excess media is removed before being heat applied to garment

Only vector files can be used as the computer cuts the lines created by vector based artwork and nothing else

Vinyl comes in stock standard colours, please ask to see our range

Vinyl Specialty colours available e.g. Metallic Vinyls,  Foils, Flocking, Sparkles and Fluro’s

Lines/text must be as least distressed as possible

Fine, intricate or very small shapes and lines may not be achievable depending on dimension and positioning

All over lapping shapes/text of the same colour must be merged

All text to be supplied converted to outlines

T-shirts, caps, bags, uniforms, sports teams, lycra

No minimums

Bulk order vinyl printing

Please contact us if you require further information regarding appropriate dimensions of artwork for specific garment areas

Vinyl Types

Flocking – Velvet feel and raised appearance: Colours: Black, Red, Yellow, and Royal Blue & White.

Metallic’s – Foil like appearance with metallic sheen: Colours: Gloss & Matte Gold, Gloss & Matte Silver, Bronze & Red vinyl.

Sparkles – Glitter texture. Colours Gold & Silver.

Glitters – Smooth texture: Black, Red, Green, Blue & Pink

Flouros – Matt finish. Colours: Green, Pink and Orange.

Flat colours – Matt finish Black, White, Grey, Beige, Brown, Cardinal, Red, Soft Pink, Yellow, Orange, Bottle Green, New Green,  Teal, Navy, Royal & Sky Blue, Deep Purple, and Royal Purple. 

 Useful Links:

Need a logo: http://www.designcrowd.com/

Screen Printing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen-printing

Adobe Trail Downloads: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

Adobe Help: http://www.adobe.com/support/illustrator/

 iStockphoto: http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php

Free Vector Downloads: http://www.vecteezy.com/

Brands/Logos: http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/