How We Handle Your Artwork: A Note from the Shop

One of the most common reasons people don't start a print order is the artwork question. They have a logo that's "not great." A file they're not sure is "the right format." A design they made themselves that they're worried isn't professional enough. So they don't send it. They wait until things are more ready.

Here's what actually happens when your artwork arrives.

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What We Check

When we receive a file — whatever format it's in — we check a few things before we do anything else:

Resolution. Is the file sharp enough to print at the size you want? For screen printing and DTF, we need 300dpi at the actual print dimensions. A logo that's fine on a website (72dpi) usually isn't fine in print without cleanup.

Color mode. Print works in CMYK. Screens work in RGB. Files prepared for digital use are often in RGB, which means the colors may shift slightly when converted for print. We check this and flag any significant changes.

File integrity. Is the file what it appears to be? A PNG that was exported from a low-res JPEG isn't magically better because it's a PNG. We can see what we're working with.

Embroidery suitability. For embroidered orders, we evaluate whether the design will translate to thread: are there fine lines that will lose definition, gradients that can't be reproduced, text that's too small to read at the stitched size?

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What We Fix For Free

Minor cleanup is part of the job. If your file needs:

• Format conversion (AI to PNG, JPEG to workable vector trace)
• Small color adjustments to match your brand intent
• Removal of a white background that needs to be transparent
• Basic cleaning of a scanned or photographed logo

We handle it. We're not going to invoice you for ten minutes of prep work.

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What We'll Come Back to You About

If something fundamental needs to change — the file resolution is too low to produce clean results at size, the design has elements that won't survive the translation to your chosen method, the color is going to print significantly differently than what's on your screen — we'll send you a note before we proceed.

We describe what we're seeing in plain language, tell you what the options are, and let you decide. We don't make significant changes to your artwork without checking with you first.

For embroidery specifically: we'll digitize your logo and show you a preview of the stitch file before we sew anything. If the digitized version doesn't match your expectations, we talk before the needle hits the fabric.

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The Proof

Nothing goes to production without a digital proof. You'll see your design at size, on the garment or product, with the correct colors represented as closely as we can show digitally.

You approve the proof. Production starts. If something is wrong on the proof — spelling, placement, color — that's the time to catch it. Once you've approved and production has run, reprinting is a new order.

Read the proof. Check the spelling yourself, not just the layout. Check that the logo is the version you intended. Check the colors. The proof is the handoff point.

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The Part People Don't Expect

You don't need to have your artwork together before you reach out. We've helped clients build designs from verbal descriptions, rough sketches, and competitor inspiration. We've reconstructed logos from old business cards and embroidered patches. We've simplified designs that were originally too complex for the method and made them work.

If you have artwork, send it. If you're not sure your artwork is ready, send it anyway and we'll tell you what we're working with. The conversation is free. There's no reason to wait until things are more ready.

The only thing that actually slows down an order is not starting one.