Artwork for screen printing: what to send and what will not work
Screen printing is a stencil. Everything about the art comes back to that: each color is its own stencil, thin lines fall out, and a blurry file makes a blurry stencil. Here is what Battle Born Clothing needs and what we do when you do not have it.
Files that work
| Format | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AI, EPS, PDF, SVG (vector) | Best | Fonts outlined, colors as spot colors |
| PNG at 300 dpi at print size | Fine | Transparent background; no JPEG artifacts |
| PSD/TIFF at 300 dpi | Fine | Flattened, at print size |
| JPEG from a website or business card | Needs redraw | We redraw simple logos; complex ones are quoted |
| Word doc, screenshot, photo of a hat | Needs redraw | Send what you have; we will tell you |
One color per screen
Set the art up with each ink color as a separate solid color. No gradients unless they are halftones, no drop shadows, no transparency. If you send a full-color logo and want one color, tell us which color and we will convert it; the proof shows the result.
Minimum line weight and text
- Lines and strokes at least 1 pt (about 0.35 mm) in positive; 1.5 pt for knocked-out (reverse) lines
- Text at least 8 pt; 10 pt if it is reversed out of a solid
- Halftone dots: we screen at a line count that prints clean on cotton; very fine gradients get coarser than on paper
- Trapping and underbase choke are done on our side
Sizing per location
| Location | Typical size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full front | 10-12 in wide | Smaller on youth and women's cuts |
| Left chest | 3-4 in wide | Where most logos go |
| Full back | 11-13 in wide | Sponsor grids go here |
| Sleeve | 2.5-3.5 in wide | One color |
| Hoodie front | Up to about 12 in | Stops above the pouch pocket |
What we do with a bad file
Simple logos (text plus a shape) we redraw as vector as part of the job. Complex logos or illustrations are quoted for art time. Licensed marks (school mascots, pro teams, brands) need the owner's permission; we print what you are allowed to print.
The proof
Every job gets a digital proof showing the shirt color, ink colors, print size and placement. Production starts when you approve it. If the printed result differs from the approved proof because of our error, the redo is free. If the art you approved has a typo, that is a reprint at the published rate, which is why we ask you to read it twice.
What to send
- Artwork (vector preferred: AI, EPS, PDF, SVG; a 300 dpi PNG is fine)
- Quantity and a size breakdown (S-XL, 2XL and up carry the supplier upcharge)
- Shirt style and color, or tell us the budget and we will suggest one
- Print locations and ink colors per location
- Need-by date. Standard is 28 days from proof approval; rush is quoted per job
Questions
Can you vectorize our logo?
Simple logos, yes, as part of the job. Complex art is quoted for art time.
Do you keep our files?
Yes. Reorders are a one-line message; screens are re-burned at $20 per color.