Artwork Guidelines
Let’s Make Your Brand Look Its Best!
Great promotional products start with great artwork. Whether you’re ordering custom apparel, drinkware, pens, bags, or corporate gifts, providing the right artwork helps us produce a clean, professional result that represents your brand the way it should.
Not sure what file to send or which decoration method is right for your project? Don’t worry—we’re here to help.
Preferred Artwork Files
For the best possible results, we recommend providing vector artwork whenever possible.
Preferred File Types
Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
Our preferred format for logos and artwork. Vector artwork can be resized without losing quality.
Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS)
A high-quality vector format that works well for promotional products and apparel decoration.
Portable Document Format (.PDF)
A PDF can work very well when it contains vector artwork. For best results, please ensure fonts are converted to outlines.
Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
A useful vector format for many types of logos and simple artwork.
Other File Types
PNG (.PNG)
High-resolution PNG files can work for certain applications, especially full-color printing. Transparent backgrounds are preferred when applicable.
JPEG/JPG (.JPG)
High-resolution JPG files may be acceptable for some full-color applications, but they are generally not ideal for logos because they can become pixelated when enlarged.
Have a file you’re unsure about? Send it to us anyway. We’ll review your artwork and let you know if it is suitable for your project or needs to be adjusted.
Artwork Tips
Use High-Resolution Artwork
Low-resolution images can appear blurry or pixelated when enlarged. Whenever possible, provide the original artwork rather than an image copied from a website or social media.
Vector Artwork Is Best
Vector artwork allows your logo to be scaled to different sizes without losing quality. This is especially helpful when the same logo will be used on products of different sizes.
Convert Fonts to Outlines
If you’re submitting vector artwork, converting fonts to outlines helps ensure your lettering appears correctly and prevents missing-font issues.
Include a Transparent Background
For artwork that will be printed on apparel or other products, a transparent background is often preferred so that unwanted white or colored boxes don’t appear around your design.
Keep Important Details Legible
Very small text, thin lines, and intricate details may not reproduce well on certain products or decoration methods. We’ll review your artwork and recommend adjustments when needed.
Choosing the Right Decoration Method
Different products and artwork require different decoration techniques. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the most common methods we offer.
Screen Printing
Best for: T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tote bags, and other fabric products.
Screen printing applies ink directly to the surface of the product through a prepared screen. It is a popular choice for apparel because it produces bold, vibrant prints and is especially cost-effective for larger quantities.
Great for:
- Logos and text
- One-color or multi-color designs
- Simple to moderately detailed artwork
- Larger apparel orders
- T-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags
Artwork tip: Clean, high-resolution or vector artwork produces the best results. Multi-color designs may require color separation.
Full-Color Printing
Best for: Detailed logos, photographs, colorful artwork, and designs with gradients.
Full-color printing allows us to reproduce artwork using a broad range of colors. It is a great option when your design contains multiple colors, photographs, gradients, or intricate details.
Great for:
- Full-color logos
- Photographs
- Detailed illustrations
- Color gradients
- Complex artwork
Artwork tip: High-resolution artwork is especially important for full-color printing. Whenever possible, provide the original high-resolution file.
Pad Printing
Best for: Pens, drinkware, small promotional items, and products with curved or irregular surfaces.
Pad printing uses a flexible silicone pad to transfer ink onto the product. This method is particularly useful for small or curved surfaces where other printing methods may not work as well.
Great for:
- Pens
- Small promotional products
- Curved surfaces
- Detailed logos
- Small imprint areas
Artwork tip: Keep small text and extremely fine details to a minimum to ensure your design remains clear at the final imprint size.
Embroidery
Best for: Polo shirts, hats, jackets, hoodies, uniforms, bags, and other fabric products.
Embroidery creates your design by stitching thread directly into the product. It provides a professional, durable, and premium appearance that is especially popular for corporate apparel and uniforms.
Great for:
- Company logos
- Names and titles
- Hats
- Polos
- Jackets
- Uniforms
- Corporate apparel
Artwork tip: Extremely small text and intricate details may need to be simplified for embroidery. Your artwork will typically be converted into a digital embroidery file before production.
Important: Embroidery artwork must be digitized for the specific size and application. Digitizing may involve an additional setup charge.
Laser Engraving
Best for: Metal, wood, leather, glass, and other compatible products.
Laser engraving uses a focused laser to permanently mark the surface of a product. The result is a clean, professional, and highly detailed imprint.
Great for:
- Tumblers and drinkware
- Metal pens
- Awards
- Wood products
- Leather products
- Corporate gifts
Artwork tip: Vector artwork is strongly recommended. Simple logos, text, and line artwork generally produce excellent engraving results.
Color note: Laser engraving typically creates the natural engraved appearance of the product rather than reproducing your artwork in full color.
Dye Sublimation
Best for: Polyester apparel, mugs, drinkware, signs, and products specifically designed for sublimation.
Dye sublimation uses heat to transfer dye into a specially coated or polyester surface. The result is a smooth, vibrant, and long-lasting design.
Great for:
- Full-color apparel
- Sportswear
- Performance garments
- Mugs
- Signs
- All-over designs
- Photographic artwork
Artwork tip: High-resolution artwork is recommended. Because sublimation can reproduce a wide range of colors, it is an excellent choice for detailed and full-color designs.
Important: Sublimation works best on products specifically manufactured for the process. Apparel is generally limited to polyester or polyester-rich materials.
Debossing
Best for: Leather, faux leather, notebooks, portfolios, bags, and other compatible materials.
Debossing creates a recessed impression in the product by pressing a custom die into the material. The result is subtle, sophisticated, and professional.
Great for:
- Leather goods
- Notebooks
- Portfolios
- Journals
- Bags
- Premium corporate gifts
Artwork tip: Simple logos, lettering, and clean designs typically produce the best results. Very fine details may need to be simplified.
Which Decoration Method Is Right for You?
| Decoration Method | Best For | Full Color | Ideal Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | T-shirts, hoodies & apparel | Limited/Multiple Colors | Bold & Vibrant |
| Full-Color Printing | Detailed artwork & photographs | Yes | Colorful & Detailed |
| Pad Printing | Pens & small products | Limited | Clean & Precise |
| Embroidery | Polos, hats & uniforms | Thread Colors | Professional & Premium |
| Laser Engraving | Metal, wood & gifts | No* | Clean & Sophisticated |
| Dye Sublimation | Polyester & specialty products | Yes | Vibrant & Detailed |
| Debossing | Leather & premium goods | No* | Subtle & Elegant |
*Some products and processes may offer additional color options depending on the product and decoration specifications.
Need Help With Your Artwork?
You don’t have to be a graphic designer to order promotional products.
If you’re unsure whether your artwork will work, send it to us. We’ll review your file and help determine the best approach for your project.
We can help identify:
✓ Whether your artwork is production-ready
✓ Whether your file needs to be converted or cleaned up
✓ Which decoration method is best for your product
✓ Whether your artwork needs to be resized or simplified
✓ Whether additional artwork preparation or digitizing is required
Ready to Get Started?
Upload your artwork with your quote request or product order, and we’ll take it from there.
Request a Quote
Let’s bring your brand to life.
Artwork Quick Reference
BEST FILE: AI, EPS, PDF, or SVG
HIGH-RESOLUTION RASTER: PNG or JPG
BEST PRACTICE: Provide the original artwork whenever possible
FONTS: Convert fonts to outlines when submitting vector artwork
PHOTOS: Use the highest-resolution original available
NOT SURE? Send us what you have—we’ll help determine whether it will work.
Pilot Promos
Where Your Brand Takes Flight!