By David Seth · About T Shirts Australia
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Print-ready artwork for T-shirt printing is a finished design supplied in a suitable file format, with enough detail at the intended print size, the correct background and all text checked. It should be ready to print without redrawing or major editing.
At T Shirts Australia, artwork is printed as supplied. Preparing the file properly helps avoid blurry logos, unwanted background boxes and designs that look different from what you expected.
TL;DR: Your print-ready artwork checklist
- Use a high-quality PNG for most online design uploads, with transparency where the garment should show through.
- Aim for 300 pixels per inch at the final print size. This is often called 300 DPI in artwork instructions.
- Check pixel dimensions. Changing the resolution label alone does not sharpen a small image.
- Follow the selected product’s print limits. The available area depends on the garment and placement.
- Inspect spelling, edges and contrast. Check the exported file as well as the working design.
- Upload the artwork itself. A picture of the design on a shirt is a mock-up, not the production file.
What makes a file print-ready?
A print-ready file contains the final design, rather than instructions for someone else to finish it. The artwork needs to work at the size and on the garment you have chosen.
- Content: the correct design, with all names, numbers and wording finalised.
- Image quality: enough original detail for the intended print size.
- Background: transparent where needed, with no accidental boxes or stray pixels.
- Layout: the correct proportions, print position and orientation.
- File: an exported format accepted by the selected ordering method.
A file opening successfully does not establish that it will print well. Likewise, a large file size in megabytes does not prove that the design is sharp.
Which file format should you use?
| Format | Useful for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Logos, text, cut-out images and finished designs for online upload. | Enough pixels at print size, and actual transparency if required. |
| JPEG | Photos and designs where a complete rectangular background should print. | Image quality and compression. JPEG does not support transparency. |
| SVG, PDF, AI or EPS source files | Keeping an editable master of logos and vector artwork. | Whether the artwork is genuinely vector, and whether the ordering method accepts the format. |
For most online uploads, a properly exported PNG is a practical starting point. Keep the editable original separately in case you need another size or version.
Vector shapes can scale without the pixelation of a small raster image. However, a PDF or SVG can contain an embedded low-resolution picture. Saving a blurry JPEG inside a PDF does not convert it into sharp vector artwork.
If supplying a vector file through an agreed workflow, make sure fonts and linked images reproduce correctly. Outlining text can prevent font substitution; retain an editable copy before doing so.
Renaming a file extension does not convert its format. Export through your design software instead. Adobe’s JPEG and PNG comparison explains their compression and transparency differences.
Resolution, DPI and print size explained
For raster artwork, aim for 300 pixels per inch at the size you want it printed. PPI describes the pixels in your image per printed inch. DPI technically describes printer dots, although “300 DPI artwork” is commonly used to mean the same file-preparation target.
The important relationship is between the number of pixels and the physical print size. A small image with a “300 DPI” label may still have too few pixels for a large front print.
How many pixels do you need?
Pixels required = print dimension in millimetres ÷ 25.4 × 300.
Apply the calculation to both width and height. The examples below are rounded up to whole pixels and demonstrate resolution only; they are not product print limits.
| Artwork size | Pixel dimensions |
|---|---|
| 100 × 100 mm | 1182 × 1182 pixels |
| 200 × 250 mm | 2363 × 2953 pixels |
| 250 × 400 mm | 2953 × 3544 pixels |
| 300 × 400 mm | 3544 × 4725 pixels |
For example, an image that is 1200 pixels wide provides 300 PPI at approximately 102 mm wide. Stretching it to 400 mm wide reduces its effective resolution to approximately 102 PPI.
Will changing the DPI setting improve the file?
Changing resolution without adding pixels changes the relationship between print size and resolution; it does not create detail. Resampling adds or removes pixels, but enlarging a file is not the same as recovering a sharper original. Adobe explains these controls in its image size and resolution guide.
Start with the best original file. Some bold artwork may remain usable below 300 PPI, but a lower resolution is not a universal minimum that guarantees a good print. Fine text and detailed logos need particular care.
Inspect the file at 100% zoom to look for pixelation and compression, then assess its intended physical size separately. A 100% screen view does not necessarily show the actual printed size.
How to check a transparent background
A PNG can have transparency, but being a PNG does not mean the background has been removed. A white rectangle or a checkerboard pattern can still be part of the image.
- Open the exported file in an editor that supports transparency.
- Place a temporary dark-coloured layer behind the artwork.
- Check whether the background colour shows through the areas that should be empty.
- Repeat with a light background to reveal dark stray pixels and edge marks.
- Hide or remove the test background before exporting the final transparent file.
If a checkerboard remains visible over your test layer, it may be baked into the picture and could print. Do not submit a screenshot of an editor’s transparency preview.
Background removal can leave pale outlines, rough edges or missing parts of the design. Inspect the result closely rather than assuming an automatic tool has finished the job.
Choose the print size and placement before exporting
The available print area depends on the selected product, garment size and print position. A child’s tee, a sleeve and an adult front print do not offer the same space.
Use the selected product’s limits rather than treating one measurement as a universal maximum. If your design is close to the limit or needs an unusual placement, contact us before ordering.
- Keep the artwork’s proportions locked when resizing.
- Remove unnecessary empty margins so the design is easier to size accurately.
- Check the visible design dimensions, not just a larger canvas around it.
- Check front and back designs separately.
- Avoid placing important detail across seams, zips or other uneven areas unless the product specifically supports it.
A mock-up helps communicate placement, but it does not replace the artwork. Upload the design itself as the print file. If you supply a separate mock-up, label it clearly so it cannot be mistaken for the image to print.
Colour, white details and fine lines
Check contrast against the garment
Preview the design against a colour similar to your chosen shirt. Dark lettering can disappear on a dark garment, while pale details can be difficult to see on white. Keep intended white artwork in the file; white and transparent are different.
Understand screen-to-print differences
A screen emits light, while a printed garment reflects it. Screen brightness, fabric, ink and the printing process can affect how colours appear. A digital preview is a placement guide, not a guarantee of an exact colour match.
Follow any colour-profile instructions for the selected service. Do not convert to a generic CMYK profile simply because the artwork will be printed. If an exact brand colour is essential, discuss the requirement before ordering.
Review fine detail and fading edges
Small lettering, narrow gaps and very thin lines can become less distinct on fabric. Judge them at the intended print size, rather than only when enlarged on screen.
Gradients within a solid design are different from edges that fade to transparency. Soft shadows and semi-transparent effects can behave differently depending on the garment and print process. Ask before ordering if the design relies heavily on those effects.
Our DTF, DTG and screen printing comparison explains how printing methods differ.
Preparing photos, logos and AI-generated artwork
Photos from your phone
Use the original full-resolution photograph. Avoid sending a screenshot or a compressed copy downloaded from a social media post. Check focus, lighting and the detail remaining after cropping.
If the photograph should print as a rectangle, its background can remain. If you want only the person, pet or object, remove the background and export a transparent PNG.
Business logos
Look for the original artwork from your designer, signwriter or branding files. An email-signature logo or website thumbnail is often too small for a large print.
If the original cannot be found, the logo may need to be recreated before ordering. Automatic tracing can alter lettering and shapes, so compare any recreated file carefully with the approved design.
AI-generated designs and upscaled images
Check spelling, faces, hands, repeated patterns and small details. AI upscaling can change content as well as add pixels; inspect the result rather than assuming the larger file is accurate.
AI-generated artwork still needs correct dimensions, clean edges and genuine transparency where required. Our design apps and AI artwork guide covers more ways to prepare a design.
Exporting your design and placing the order
- Choose your garment and print position from the custom printed apparel range.
- Confirm the intended design dimensions and check they fit the selected product.
- Export the final artwork in an accepted format with sufficient pixel dimensions and the correct background.
- Reopen the exported file. Check for cropped lettering, missing elements, accidental backgrounds and spelling mistakes.
- Upload and review each placement. Confirm the design’s proportions and contrast in the online preview.
- Check the order details before paying, including garment sizes, quantities and any personalised variations.
Only supply designs you own or have permission to reproduce. Check any applicable licence covers the intended use, and read our copyright and trademark policy.
For supplied garments, read the separate BYO printing requirements. If your deadline is urgent, finish the artwork before ordering and check our same-day printing guide.
Frequently asked questions
What file format is best for custom T-shirt printing?
A high-quality PNG is a practical choice for most online uploads, particularly when the background must be transparent. A JPEG can suit a rectangular photo. Keep vector originals for logos, and check accepted upload formats for your selected service.
Does my artwork need to be 300 DPI?
Aim for 300 pixels per inch at the final print size. The pixel dimensions and quality of the source image matter more than the DPI label alone. Lower-resolution artwork needs to be assessed for its particular size and detail.
Can I change a 72 DPI file to 300 DPI?
You can change its resolution setting, but that does not automatically improve the picture. A file labelled 72 DPI may contain plenty of pixels, while a small file labelled 300 DPI may not. Check the actual pixel dimensions against the intended print size.
Why does my PNG still have a white box?
The white background may still be part of the file. PNG supports transparency but does not remove backgrounds automatically. Test the exported artwork over a dark layer and remove any unwanted background before uploading.
Can white artwork be printed on a dark shirt?
Suitable printing methods can print white on dark garments. Keep intended white shapes and lettering in the artwork, and make only the areas that should show the shirt transparent.
Do I need to mirror my artwork?
For a finished custom-printed garment, supply the design in its normal reading orientation. Do not mirror it for the production process unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.
Can I upload a picture of the design on a T-shirt?
Use that picture only as a clearly labelled placement reference. Supply the separate design as the production artwork; otherwise, the shirt and background in the picture may become part of the print.
What is the maximum print size?
Check the limits for your selected product and placement. Garment size and construction can restrict the usable area. Confirm unusual or oversized designs before preparing the final artwork.
Will my colours match the screen exactly?
Not necessarily. Screens and printed fabric reproduce colour differently, and the garment and print method also affect the result. Discuss colour-critical work before ordering rather than relying on a screen preview alone.
Will you check or repair my artwork?
Artwork is printed as supplied. Do not assume your order includes resolution checks, proofreading, background removal or redrawing. If you need an adjustment, contact us before ordering to find out whether it can be accommodated.
Ready to print? Choose your garment from our custom T-shirt and apparel range, upload your finished artwork and review the design before checkout.
