T-Shirt Printing & Custom Apparel Artwork FAQ | L.F.C Custom Apparel Printing - Plainville, Connecticut

T-Shirt Printing & Custom Apparel Artwork F.A.Q.

Welcome to the T-Shirt Printing & Custom Apparel Artwork FAQ by L.F.C Custom Apparel Printing! We aim to answer your common questions about our screen printing services and essential artwork requirements for your custom t-shirt orders. If your question isn't covered here, please don't hesitate to email us or use our contact form. For immediate assistance with your custom apparel project, call us today at 860.351.3034.

Artwork File Requirements for Quality T-Shirt Printing

Q: What is the best file format for my t-shirt artwork?

A: For the highest quality screen printing on your custom apparel, we strongly prefer vector files.

  • Preferred Vector Formats for T-Shirt Printing: .AI (Adobe Illustrator) or .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript).

  • Why Vector for Apparel? Vector artwork is made of mathematical paths, not pixels. This ensures your t-shirt designs can be scaled to any print size (small chest logo or large back print) without losing sharpness or becoming blurry/pixelated – crucial for professional-looking custom t-shirts.

  • Color Specifications: If your design uses specific Pantone (PMS) spot colors, ensure they are correctly defined in your vector file. For full-color photographic prints, files can be set up in CMYK.

Q: Can I send raster files like .JPG, .PNG, or .PSD for my t-shirt design?

A: While vector files are ideal for t-shirt printing, we can sometimes work with high-quality raster files (pixel-based images, like those from Adobe Photoshop).

  • Requirements for Raster Artwork:

    • Resolution for Printing: Must be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the final print size.

    • Print Dimensions: For a standard t-shirt print (e.g., full front), aim for a minimum artwork size of around 12 inches wide (or approximately 3000 pixels wide if at 300 DPI).

    • Backgrounds: Transparent backgrounds are highly recommended, especially for .PNG or layered .PSD files.

  • Important Note on Web Images: Images downloaded from websites, Google Images, or social media (Facebook, Instagram) are typically low-resolution (72-96 DPI) and too small for quality t-shirt printing. Using these will likely result in a blurry, pixelated, and unprofessional print. Always provide original, high-resolution source files.

Q: Are PDF files suitable for screen printing artwork?

A: A PDF can be suitable for screen printing if it was originally saved from a vector program (like Adobe Illustrator) and maintains the editable vector data.

  • Print-Ready PDF: Contains scalable vector elements that we can work with directly.

  • Problematic PDF: If the PDF is merely a container for a low-resolution .JPG or other flattened raster image, it will still have the quality limitations of that embedded raster file.

  • For one-color t-shirt designs sent as a PDF, ensure it’s not a flattened image.

Q: What does "resolution" or "300 DPI" mean for my t-shirt artwork?

A: "Resolution" refers to the detail and clarity of a raster (pixel-based) image. It's measured in DPI (Dots Per Inch).

  • High Resolution (300 DPI): This industry standard for printing means the image has enough pixel data to produce a sharp, clear, and detailed print on your custom apparel.

  • Low Resolution (e.g., 72-150 DPI): Common for web display, these images lack sufficient pixel data for quality printing. When enlarged for a t-shirt, they will appear blurry, "blocky," or pixelated.

Q: My logo designer sent a .JPG. What's the difference between this "raster" photo and a "vector" file for my logo?

A: Understanding this difference is key for great logo printing on apparel:

  • Raster Images (e.g., .JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .PSD files from Adobe Photoshop):

    • Composed of a fixed grid of tiny squares called pixels.

    • Limitation: They are resolution-dependent. If you scale a raster image larger than its original dimensions, it loses quality and becomes pixelated or blurry.

  • Vector Images (e.g., .AI, .EPS files from Adobe Illustrator, some .PDFs):

    • Constructed using mathematical equations to define lines, points, and curves.

    • Key Advantage for Logos & Apparel: 

    • They are resolution-independent. Vector logos can be scaled infinitely (from a small tag print to a giant banner) without any loss of quality, ensuring crisp, clean lines every time.

  • Recommendation: Always ask your logo designer for the original vector file format (typically .AI or .EPS) of your logo. This is standard practice for professional logo design and essential for versatile use, especially in printing.

Design & Redraw Services for Your Apparel

Q: Can you create a new logo or fix my existing logo for t-shirt printing?

A: Yes, we can! L.F.C Custom Apparel offers graphic design services to help get your artwork print-ready:

  • Custom Logo Design: We can create a brand-new, professional logo for your business or event.

  • Logo Cleanup & Vectorization: If your current logo is low-resolution or not in a vector format, we can often redraw or "vectorize" it to make it suitable for high-quality printing and other applications.

  • Please note: Additional charges apply for our logo design and artwork services, quoted based on the project's complexity.

Ordering, Production & Turnaround for Custom T-Shirts

Q: What's your standard turnaround time for a t-shirt printing job?

A: Our standard production timeframe for custom t-shirt orders is approximately 15 business days. This clock starts after all of the following are confirmed:

  1. Final, print-ready artwork is approved by you.

  2. All garments for the order are received and confirmed (whether sourced by us or client-supplied).

  3. A 50% deposit for the order is paid.

  • Client-Supplied Garments Policy: If you are providing your own shirts, please include an extra 2% of the total quantity to cover potential industry-standard misprints or manufacturer defects. Limited Freedom Clothing is not responsible for issues or damages related to client-supplied garments.

  • Rush T-Shirt Printing: Need your custom t-shirts faster? A rush fee (typically 70%, but subject to project specifics and current capacity) will apply. Please contact us directly at 860.351.3034 to discuss rush order availability and pricing.

Q: Can I make changes to my t-shirt design after the proof is approved?

A: While we aim for flexibility, changes after proof approval can impact timelines and costs:

  • Changes Before Printing Begins (Post-Approval): If changes are requested after you've approved the digital proof but before any physical printing has started, an additional processing fee (e.g., 10% or a set fee) may be applied to cover new setups and re-proofing.

  • Changes After Printing Has Started: Modifying an order once production is underway is significantly more disruptive and costly. An additional charge (e.g., 50% or more, depending on progress) will be applied to your order, plus the cost of any items already printed with the previous design. Carefully reviewing your digital proof before approval is crucial.

Q: What t-shirt brands or styles do you print on?

A: We offer a wide selection of apparel brands and styles to suit various needs and budgets. While Gildan is a popular choice for its balance of quality and value, we frequently use many other brands based on client preference for fit, feel, and specific garment types. We're happy to recommend the best t-shirt options for your project.