Print-Ready Artwork for T-Shirt Printing in Australia: Format, DPI & Size Guide

Getting your artwork right before ordering is one of the easiest ways to get a better custom printed T-shirt. At T Shirts Australia, your order is printed in Australia using the artwork you supply or create through our online designer, so the clearer your file is, the better the finished result will usually be.

This guide explains the best file formats for T-shirt printing, what DPI means, how large your design can be, and what to avoid when uploading logos, photos, text, or AI-generated artwork.

Index

1. What does print-ready artwork mean?
2. Quick artwork specification table
3. Best file formats for T-shirt printing
4. PNG files and transparent backgrounds
5. DPI explained simply
6. Maximum print size for T-shirts
7. Artwork tips for light and dark garments
8. Photos, logos, screenshots and AI art
9. Using the online designer vs uploading your own file
10. Copyright and artwork ownership
11. Final artwork check before ordering
12. Frequently asked questions

What Does Print-Ready Artwork Mean?

Print-ready artwork is a file that can be printed without needing major editing, rebuilding, redrawing, or cleaning up.

For T-shirt printing, this usually means the file is large enough, clear enough, correctly positioned, and supplied with the right background. A print-ready file helps avoid common problems such as blurry prints, white boxes around logos, cut-off text, or artwork that looks much smaller than expected.

A good print-ready file should be:

• Clear and sharp at the size you want it printed
• Supplied as a high-quality PNG where possible
• Free from unwanted backgrounds
• Correctly spelt
• Within the printable area
• Owned by you or licensed for you to use

If you are ready to start designing, visit our Custom T-Shirts page and choose a shirt to customise online.

T-Shirt Artwork Specification Table

Artwork Item	Recommended Spec	Notes
Preferred file format	PNG	Best option for most customer artwork uploads
Background	Transparent	Helps avoid a white or coloured box around the design
Recommended resolution	300 DPI at print size	Best for clean, sharp results
Minimum resolution	150 DPI	May be acceptable for simple logos or bold text
Maximum print area	400mm × 450mm	Keep artwork within this area
Large full-size print at 300 DPI	Approx. 4725 × 5315 px	Useful guide for a 400mm × 450mm design
Large full-size print at 150 DPI	Approx. 2360 × 2660 px	Minimum guide only
Best logo formats	PNG, SVG, PDF	Vector files are useful for clean logo artwork
Avoid	Screenshots, Word docs, low-res JPEGs	These often cause poor print results
Text	Spell-check before ordering	Artwork is printed as supplied

Best File Formats for T-Shirt Printing

The best file format depends on the type of artwork you have. A business logo, a phone photo, an AI image and a text design may all need slightly different preparation.

PNG: Best for Most T-Shirt Orders

A high-resolution PNG with a transparent background is the best option for most custom T-shirt printing orders. PNG files can keep the background transparent, which is important if you only want the design printed and not a white square around it.

Use PNG for:

• Logos
• Text designs
• Graphics
• AI-generated art
• Cut-out images
• Designs with transparent backgrounds

For best results, export the PNG at the size you want it printed, not as a small web image.

SVG or PDF: Good for Logos and Vector Artwork

SVG and PDF files can be very useful for logos because they are often vector-based. Vector artwork can be scaled without losing sharpness, which makes it ideal for business logos, club logos, simple icons, and bold text designs.

Use SVG or PDF when:

• You have a professional logo file
• Your design is made from clean shapes and text
• You want sharp edges
• You are working with a designer

If you are using the online designer, PNG is still often the easiest file to upload and position.

JPEG: Only Use if the Background Is Meant to Print

JPEG files can work for photos, but they do not support transparent backgrounds. This means a JPEG logo may print with a white or coloured rectangle around it unless the design is meant to be a full rectangular image.

JPEG is fine for:

• Photos
• Poster-style artwork
• Full rectangle designs
• Images where the background is part of the design

Avoid JPEG for logos if you do not want a background printed.

File Types to Avoid

Some file types are not ideal for T-shirt printing because they are not true print artwork files.

Avoid uploading:

• Screenshots
• Small website images
• Social media downloads
• Word documents
• PowerPoint files
• Photos of a logo on another shirt
• Images copied from Google
• Low-resolution JPEGs
• Files with watermarks
• Files with unwanted backgrounds

If the image was saved from Facebook, Instagram, a website thumbnail, or a message app, it may have been compressed and may not print clearly.

Why Transparent Backgrounds Matter

A transparent background means only the design itself prints.

For example, if you upload a black logo as a transparent PNG, the logo can be printed cleanly onto the shirt. If you upload the same logo as a JPEG with a white background, the white box may print around the logo.

Transparent backgrounds are especially important for:

• Business logos
• One-colour designs
• Text-only designs
• Designs going onto coloured shirts
• AI-generated artwork that has been cut out

Before ordering, open the file and check whether the background is really transparent. Many images look transparent because they are on a white preview screen, but the file may still contain a white background.

DPI Explained Simply

DPI stands for dots per inch. For T-shirt printing, DPI helps describe how much detail your artwork has at the size it will be printed.

The simple rule is:

300 DPI at print size is best. 150 DPI may be acceptable for simple designs.

The important part is “at print size”. A small 300 DPI image can still be too small if you try to stretch it across the whole front of a shirt.

For example:

• A small logo from a website may look fine on screen but print blurry when enlarged.
• A large PNG exported at 300 DPI will usually print much more clearly.
• A phone photo may be fine if it is the original high-resolution photo, not a compressed copy.

A quick way to check your file is to zoom in to 100% on your computer. If the artwork already looks fuzzy, jagged, or pixelated, it will usually print that way.

Maximum Print Size for T-Shirts

For T Shirts Australia, the maximum print area is:

400mm wide × 450mm high

This is the largest artwork area to design within for a standard large print. Not every design should be printed at the maximum size, and some garments or smaller sizes may need a smaller print area, but 400mm × 450mm is the key size guide to keep in mind.

A full-size 400mm × 450mm design at 300 DPI is roughly:

4725 pixels wide × 5315 pixels high

You do not need to make every design this large. A left chest logo, for example, should be much smaller. But if you want a large front or back print, your artwork needs enough pixels to stay sharp at that size.

Common Print Size Examples

Print Placement	Approximate Size Guide	Best For
Left chest logo	80mm–110mm wide	Business logos, club logos
Standard front print	250mm–320mm wide	Text designs, event shirts
Large front print	320mm–400mm wide	Bold graphics, merch designs
Back print	280mm–400mm wide	Team shirts, event shirts, large artwork
Maximum print area	400mm × 450mm	Large designs within print limits

These are general guides. The best size depends on the garment, design shape, shirt size, and where the artwork is placed.

Artwork Tips for Light and Dark Garments

Artwork Tips for Light Shirts

Light shirts are usually more forgiving because darker artwork stands out well.

For light garments:

• Use strong contrast
• Avoid very pale colours unless that is the intended look
• Make sure white elements are visible if they are part of the design
• Check that thin lines are not too small
• Use a transparent PNG if the background should not print

Black text on a white shirt usually works well. Pale grey text on a white shirt may be hard to see.

Artwork Tips for Dark Shirts

Dark shirts need more care because black, navy, charcoal, and other dark colours can hide parts of the design.

For dark garments:

• Use bright or light-coloured artwork for contrast
• Avoid black text on a black shirt unless you want a subtle effect
• Use a transparent background where possible
• Check whether white parts of the design are meant to print
• Avoid soft shadows that fade into transparency unless they are part of the design

If you are deciding between cotton, polyester, or blended garments, you may also find our Cotton vs Polyester T Shirts Guide helpful.

Photos, Logos, Screenshots and AI Art

Can I Use a Photo From My Phone?

Yes, phone photos can work well if they are the original high-resolution image.

The best phone photos for T-shirt printing are:

• Clear
• Well-lit
• Not blurry
• Not zoomed in too far
• Sent or uploaded at full quality
• Not saved from social media

Avoid using a screenshot of a photo. A screenshot is usually lower quality than the original image.

What If My Logo Is Low Resolution?

Low-resolution logos are one of the most common artwork problems.

A logo may be low resolution if it was:

• Copied from a website
• Taken from an email signature
• Saved from social media
• Sent as a small JPEG
• Screenshotted from another document
• Pulled from an old invoice or business card

If your logo is low resolution, try to find the original file from your designer, signwriter, website developer, or branding folder. Look for files ending in:

• .PNG
• .SVG
• .PDF
• .AI
• .EPS

If you only have a small blurry logo, it may need to be recreated before it can print cleanly.

Using AI Art for T-Shirt Printing

AI art can be used for custom T-shirt designs, but it still needs to be prepared properly before uploading.

Before uploading AI-generated artwork, check:

• Is the file high resolution?
• Does it have a transparent background if needed?
• Is the text spelt correctly?
• Are hands, faces, logos, or small details distorted?
• Does the artwork fit inside the 400mm × 450mm print area?
• Do you have the right to use the artwork commercially if required?

AI tools can create great ideas, but they can also produce strange text, messy edges, fake logos, or details that look fine at first glance but do not print well.

For more help with design tools and AI-generated artwork, read our Custom T Shirt Printing Made Easy with Free Apps & AI Art guide.

Using the Online Designer vs Uploading Your Own Artwork

There are two main ways to prepare your design: use the online designer or upload finished artwork.

Option 1: Use the Online Designer

Our online designer is useful if you want to:

• Add text
• Upload a logo
• Position artwork on the shirt
• Create a simple design yourself
• Preview your design before ordering

This is a good option for customers who do not have design software.

Start from the Custom T-Shirts page and choose the product you want to personalise.

Option 2: Upload Your Own Finished Artwork

Uploading your own artwork is best if you already have a finished design from:

• A graphic designer
• Canva
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Procreate
• Kittl
• Placeit
• An AI art tool
• Your business branding files

If you upload your own finished artwork, make sure it is already print-ready. That means the size, background, spelling, and layout should all be checked before ordering.

Copyright and Artwork Ownership

Only upload artwork you own or have permission to use.

You should not upload copyrighted or trademarked designs unless you have the right to print them. This includes things like movie characters, sports team logos, brand logos, celebrity images, game artwork, and designs copied from other creators.

Even if an image is easy to find online, that does not mean it is free to print.

For more information, read our Avoid Copyright Issues with T-Shirt Designs Australia Guide.

BYO Garments and Artwork

If you are supplying your own shirt, the artwork still needs to be print-ready. BYO printing can be a good option for customers who already have garments they want printed, but supplied garments are printed at the customer’s risk.

Before ordering BYO printing, check the garment requirements and artwork instructions on our BYO T-Shirt Printing page.

Final Artwork Check Before Ordering

Before you place your order, ask yourself:

• Is my file a high-resolution PNG, SVG, PDF, or suitable photo?
• Is the background transparent if I do not want a box printed?
• Is the design within 400mm × 450mm?
• Does the artwork look sharp at 100% zoom?
• Is all text spelt correctly?
• Are names, dates, phone numbers, and website addresses correct?
• Do I have permission to print the design?
• Have I chosen the right shirt colour for the artwork?

Taking a few minutes to check these details can help avoid delays, poor print results, or artwork that does not look how you expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file format is best for T-shirt printing?

A high-resolution PNG with a transparent background is the best file format for most T-shirt printing orders. SVG or PDF files can also be useful for clean logo artwork.

Do I need a transparent background?

Yes, if you only want the design itself printed. A transparent PNG helps avoid a white or coloured box around your artwork.

What DPI should my artwork be for T-shirt printing?

300 DPI at the final print size is recommended. For simple logos or bold text, 150 DPI may be acceptable, but higher resolution is usually better.

What is the maximum print size?

The maximum print area is 400mm wide × 450mm high. Smaller garments, print positions, or design shapes may need a smaller size.

Can I use a photo from my phone?

Yes, as long as it is the original high-resolution photo and not a screenshot or compressed social media copy. The photo should be clear, sharp, and well-lit.

What if my logo is low resolution?

Try to find the original logo file from your designer, branding folder, website developer, or signwriter. Look for PNG, SVG, PDF, AI, or EPS files where possible.

Can I upload a JPEG?

Yes, a JPEG can work for photos or full rectangle designs, but it does not support transparent backgrounds. For logos, PNG is usually a better choice.

Can you fix my artwork?

Artwork should be supplied print-ready. Basic checks may be possible, but major editing, background removal, redrawing, or logo recreation may need to be done before ordering.

Can white ink be printed on a dark shirt?

Yes, white can be printed on dark garments using suitable print methods. For best results, supply clean, high-resolution artwork with a transparent background.

Can I use artwork I found online?

Only upload artwork you own or have permission to use. Copyrighted images, brand logos, characters, sports team logos and celebrity images should not be used without the correct rights.