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Vision to Print: How to Design for Print Like a Professional
 

Creating professional-quality designs for custom apparel and merchandise requires a balance of creativity and technical know-how. By following a few essential tips, you can ensure that your designs not only look great on a computer screen but also translate seamlessly into print on physical product. We have five key tips to help you design like a pro and ensure the best results!

 

1. Start with High-Resolution or Vectorized Files

 

The foundation of any great printed product is a high-quality piece of digital artwork. Here’s why it’s important:

 

  • High-Resolution Images: If designing in a program like Adobe Photoshop, a raster design with a resolution of 300 DPI or higher will help your designs appear sharp and detailed, preventing any pixelation or blurriness during printing. This is especially crucial for intricate designs or logos with fine details.

 

  • Vectorized Files: Vector files (e.g., AI, EPS, or PDF) created in programs like Adobe Illustrator or Affinity are the gold standard for printing. Unlike raster images, which use pixels, vector files use mathematical paths, allowing them to be scaled up or down without losing clarity. This makes them ideal for everything from small logos to large banners.

 

Using high-resolution or vectorized files guarantees that your design will be reproduced as intended, with crisp lines and vibrant colors that stand out. This is the area that will always make the biggest impact. Great artwork = great prints!

2. Use Clear Pantone Colors for Accuracy

 

Consistency is key when it comes to color. Using the Pantone color system ensures accurate communication of colors and their reproduction across different printing methods and materials. Each computer monitor or mobile device displays colour slightly different, so this system allows us to ensure that colours match an international standard. Here’s how to do it:

 

  • Specify Pantone Codes: Providing Pantone codes for your colors eliminates guesswork and ensures your design matches your vision. This is important for maintaining brand consistency. Screen print inks are based on the Pantone colour system. 

 

  • Get Expert Help: If you’re unsure of the correct Pantone codes, our design team can assist by color-matching your design to the closest Pantone shades.  

 

Pantone color matching helps prevent discrepancies that can happen due to differences in device display colours. Digital print processes like Direct-Film-Transfer printing do use a CMYK colour system for their printing, but sharing pantone numbers still allow us to dial in your colours for the most consistency when setting up your order.

3. Prioritize Proper Print Placement

The placement of your design on the garment can make or break the final product. Keep these tips in mind for professional results:

 

  • Avoid Seams: Placing designs too close to seams can lead to distortion, uneven printing, or missed sections. Seams create physical disruptions that can warp the artwork.

 

  • Flat Surfaces: Position your design on smooth, flat areas of the garment for the most accurate and crisp print.

 

  •   Balance and Proportion: Ensure the design is appropriately scaled and centered for a clean, polished look.

 

 

Proper placement enhances the overall aesthetic and ensures your design looks professional and intentional.

4. Avoid Common Design Pitfalls

 

Certain design elements can compromise the quality of your print. Avoid these challenges to ensure a clean and professional result:

 

  • Small Text: Text smaller than 0.15 inches can become illegible once printed, especially on fabric where ink may spread slightly.

 

  • Gradients: Gradients at the edge or border of a design, can be tricky to reproduce accurately in printing, often leading to inconsistent color fades or banding. Avoid gradients towards the end of a design when possible.

 

  • Tight Negative Space: Designs with minimal spacing between elements can appear cluttered or lose detail when printed, making it difficult to distinguish shapes or lines.

 

 

By steering clear of these areas, you’ll achieve a polished, visually appealing design that translates well onto apparel or merchandise.

 

5. Review Your Mockup Carefully

The mockup is a preview of how your design will look on the final product. Before production of your order, we will send you an "Order Summary" document for your careful review and approval. Reviewing it thoroughly is critical to ensuring your vision comes to life just how you like it. Here’s what to check:

 

  • Design Placement: Verify that the design is positioned  where you want it on the garment.

 

  • Dimensions: Ensure the size of the design on the product is to your liking. We include visual mockups to make this approval process easy. Keep in mind that most times, the same size print is used across all size products in a garment, so it will look slightly larger on smaller size garments and slightly larger on XL+ size garments.

 

  •   Colors: Double-check that the colors match your specifications. Keep in mind that each computer monitor or device displays colours and shades slightly differently.

 

Proper placement enhances the overall aesthetic and ensures your design looks professional and the way you intended.

At Stay Golden Custom, we’re here to help you every step of the way through the sourcing and artwork design process. Whether you’re refining your artwork or need assistance with colour matching to bring your logo to life, our design team is ready to ensure your vision becomes a reality. Let’s create something amazing together!

 

Ready to get started? Contact our team at Stay Golden Custom today to discuss your design ideas, and let’s take your vision to clothing with high-quality printing that stands the test of time.

 

 

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