How to Prepare Artwork Files for Custom Apparel: Vector vs Raster
Most print delays start with a logo file that is too small, flattened or missing fonts. This guide explains which formats to send, what resolution you need and how to brief colors so your artwork prints sharp the first time.
- Send vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF) for logos. They scale to any garment size without losing sharpness.
- If you only have a raster file, make it large: 300 dpi at the final printed size is a common target.
- Convert text to outlines, or include the fonts, so lettering does not change.
- Give color references as Pantone or hex codes, and expect printed colors to differ slightly from your screen.
Vector vs raster in plain terms
A vector file stores shapes as mathematical paths. A logo drawn this way can be shrunk to a sleeve badge or enlarged across a jersey back and the edges stay clean. Common vector formats are AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS, SVG and PDF files that were saved from vector software.
A raster file is a grid of pixels. PNG, JPG, TIFF and PSD files are raster. They look fine at the size they were made, but enlarge them and the edges blur or stair-step. That matters on apparel because a chest logo, a back number and an all-over pattern are very different sizes.
One catch: a file with a .pdf or .eps extension is not automatically vector. If someone placed a low-resolution picture inside it, it is still a raster image in a vector wrapper.
Which file for which job
The right file depends on what you are decorating and how. The table below is general guidance; your manufacturer will tell you which formats its team prefers.
| Job | Best file | Acceptable | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logo for print or sublimation | AI, EPS, SVG or vector PDF | High-resolution PNG | Include a transparent background version. |
| All-over sublimation pattern | Layered AI or PDF, or a large flattened TIFF or PNG | Large JPG | Supply it at the size of the panel, or at a known scale. |
| Embroidery logo | Vector logo for digitizing | Clean PNG | Artwork is converted into a stitch file by a digitizer. Fine detail and tiny text may need simplifying. |
| Photo or gradient | High-resolution TIFF or PNG | Large JPG | Gradients suit sublimation better than most other methods. |
| Names and numbers | Font name or outlined text | Image of the style | Send the roster as a spreadsheet, not inside the artwork. |
For a sense of how artwork turns into a finished garment, look at a patterned kit such as soccer uniform ART# MI-2005 or the gradient fade on ART# MI-2003. Pattern and fade designs depend on large, clean source files far more than a single flat-color logo does. For method differences, see our comparison of sublimation printing vs embroidery.
Resolution and size
Resolution is measured in dots or pixels per inch (dpi or ppi). A common rule is 300 dpi at the final printed size. A logo that is 2,000 pixels wide gives you roughly 6.7 inches at 300 dpi. If the chest print is 10 inches wide, that same file drops to about 200 dpi and may look soft.
Never enlarge a small image in an editor to hit a number. The software adds pixels but not detail. If your only copy of a logo is a small web graphic, ask the designer for the original, or have it redrawn as a vector.
Color: RGB, CMYK and Pantone
Screens mix light (RGB). Most garment printing works with ink or dye, so what you see on screen is a close match at best. Bright neons and deep electric blues are the usual colors that shift most between screen and fabric.
To keep control, name colors with a reference. Pantone (PMS) numbers are widely used for team colors, and hex codes are acceptable for a first brief. Add a note on the one or two colors that matter most, such as the club navy or the sponsor red. For a fuller look at briefing colors and placement, read our custom sports kit design guide.
Ask for a physical or digital proof, and judge color on fabric, not on your monitor. Sample terms are confirmed in the quotation.
How to prepare your files
- Collect the original logo files.Ask your designer or sponsor for the AI, EPS, SVG or vector PDF. Do not screenshot a website.
- Outline the text.In Illustrator, select the text and use Create Outlines. This turns letters into shapes so a missing font cannot change the wording.
- Remove stray elements.Delete hidden layers, guides, old versions and unused swatches so the factory sees only the final artwork.
- Set the size.Place each logo at the size you want on the garment and note the position, such as left chest or sleeve.
- Add color references.List Pantone or hex values beside each color, and keep a transparent-background copy.
- Send a mockup and the files together.A simple mockup shows placement. The separate files let the team produce it. Add the roster and sizes as a spreadsheet. A tech pack can hold all of this in one document.
Artwork checklist
- Logo supplied as AI, EPS, SVG or vector PDF
- Raster images at 300 dpi at final print size
- Text converted to outlines, or fonts included
- Pantone or hex references for every color
- Transparent-background PNG as a backup
- Mockup with placement and approximate sizes
- Names, numbers and sizes in a separate spreadsheet
Common artwork mistakes
Sending a screenshot
Screenshots are low resolution and often include compression marks. Ask for the original file.
Flattened files only
A single flattened image cannot be recolored or resized cleanly. Keep a layered or vector master.
Tiny details
Hairlines and very small text can disappear in print and are hard to stitch. Thicken or simplify them.
Color guessed from a screen
Without a Pantone or hex reference, two people can describe the same blue differently.
If you are designing a full team kit, our guide to a custom soccer team kit with names and numbers shows where each piece of artwork goes. The same principles apply to a training top such as gym t-shirt ART# MI-9403, where a pattern needs a high-resolution source.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a JPG logo?
You can, and many orders start that way. A large, sharp JPG may work for some print jobs, but a vector file is safer, and embroidery usually needs the logo cleaned up or redrawn first.
What if I do not have a vector file?
Send the best raster version you have. Many manufacturers and designers can redraw a simple logo as a vector. Ask in your quote request whether this is offered and on what terms.
Do I need Illustrator?
Not necessarily. Free tools such as Inkscape can open and save SVG and PDF files. What matters is that the file is genuinely vector and the text is outlined.
Will the printed color match my screen?
Not exactly. Provide Pantone or hex references and approve a sample on fabric before bulk production.
Does Maswiz accept artwork in these formats?
Share your files with your quote request. Minimum order, lead time and sample terms are confirmed in the quotation. Printing and logo options on our product pages include sublimation, screen printing, embroidery and heat transfer.
Send your artwork for a quote
Share your logo files, colors and the garments you need. We are a Sialkot, Pakistan manufacturer offering custom colors, logos and sublimation printing with private label options.
