DTG Artwork Guidelines
To obtain the best print results possible with the direct to garment print method, upload your artwork file following the below specifications:
PNG file preferred with a transparent background, JPG is also accepted but will require the background to be removed. If you can not do this yourself please contact us PRIOR to placing your order.
Printing full colour photographs with a background is OK!
Saved at the highest resolution possible (between 200 to 300 DPI) and at the largest size possible to accommodate any resizing involved. We can print below 150 DPI but this may result in an overall 'soft' image.
Do not upload any other file types such as PDF, SVG, EPS etc.
Uploading these other file types will result in an incorrect image being saved into our system, we are not responsible for any misprints that occur due to this.
If you are concerned about your image quality, please email us prior to placing your order and we can take a look for you. If you are checking multiple images with us, this may incur a checking fee.
While we take extreme care to provide you the best result, it’s your responsibility to supply high quality artwork, at least 150dpi, and to communicate any artwork or size concerns.
Digital Image vs Real Life Print
The colours you see onscreen don't translate to the same level of vibrancy in real life simply because it is a different medium. When viewing artwork onscreen everything that you see is backlit which means that light is shining through the artwork.
Alternatively, when you view a printed version of the same image the colours will not reproduce in the same way because prints reflect light. Screens have 10x more dynamic range in comparison to the highest quality material that an image can be printed on so when you see your artwork come out and it's not as vibrant as what you see on screen it's because of this main reason.
Colour Reproduction: As our method of printing interprets the colour you have chosen to print, ensuring a close colour match and not an exact one. Colours may appear less vibrant or duller in real life.
The only method of printing that will ensure an exact match is screen printing as that uses the Pantone Matching System. If you're looking for screen printing we recommend QTCO Printed Merch.
Artwork Print Area
There are rectangular boxes in our design tool mock-ups that indicate the safe print areas for your artwork.
The outer rectangle shows the safe print area, keep all artwork within this border to ensure that it doesn't get cut off.
For lefthand chest and righthand chest prints, the dotted red line indicates our standard print positions for those.
Please keep all images within these guidelines as they will be cut off if placed outside this area.
Use this template to ensure your artwork is the same size and position across different orders: PSD / PNG.
See how to re-order your design here.
Transparencies, Gradients and Glows
Gradients/glows in artwork will reproduce nicely but keep in mind it will not look exactly the same as your digital file. The less opaque your gradients, glows or transparencies are, the lighter (or duller) it will print.
Neons, Pastels and Light colours
Colours may print lighter or duller than what you see on screen. Keep this in mind if you are choosing to print pastel colours on light coloured garments. These lower contrast prints are not considered as faulty.
Fine Detail
To achieve the best print results, all fine detail should be a minimum of 1-2mm wide as our system will scale your artwork slightly to accommodate the garment size that it is going on.
QR Codes
QR codes will only be checked if we are asked to, we'll test it on screen and once printed. If not we don't do any testing as it can be a privacy concern.
Max Print and Position
Our standard MAX print area is 35cm H x 45cm H for garments, however the dimensions may change slightly from size to size as our system scales your artwork depending on the size of the garment is being printed.
For tote bags and tea towels, you can find their max print areas on the product pages.
As we use a standard positioning and resizing system, we can not accommodate specific artwork sizes or positions.
When you are placing your order, how you see it in the preview provided is how we will print it.
PLEASE NOTE: We use our standard print sizes and scale your artwork to match the mock-up as close as possible.
Garment Variations
The fabric composition, fabric weights and dyes used can affect the overall print result. This can occur with any print method and we don't consider it to be a defective print.
These variances can occur not only from brand to brand but from within the same brand as well, so keep this in mind if you're trying to achieve matching results.
Sample Prints
We do not offer sample prints, there are no minimums or set up fees so you are welcome to place an order for one garment first to test your print.
Direct to Film Printing
Direct to film (DTF) produces a different print result and hand feel compared to DTG and is also less forgiving print method when it comes to artwork resolution, high resolution files are a must.
Semi-transparencies, glows, drop shadows, thin lines/text, small isolated dots (small or fine details must be between 1-2mm), and soft edges are not suitable for DTF printing.
We recommend to not include these in your artwork.
DTF is currently only available for certain products (stated in product descriptions).