The design looks great on your screen. Then you send it to a printer and hear back that it "can't be used." It is one of the most common hold-ups in a custom clothing order, and almost always it comes down to the artwork file rather than the design itself. The good news: once you understand what a screen printer actually needs, getting your logo print-ready is straightforward. This guide walks through it in plain English so your next order goes to press first time.
Why screen printing has specific artwork needs
Screen printing works by pushing ink through a fine mesh screen — one screen for each colour in your design. Because every colour is a separate physical screen, the artwork has to be clean, sharp and clearly separated into those colours. A blurry photo of a logo, or a design saved at low resolution, does not give the printer clean edges to work from. Think of the artwork as the master plan for making the screens; the better that plan, the better the print.
This is different from digital methods like DTF or DTG, which handle photographic detail more easily. Screen printing trades that flexibility for bold, durable colour and better value in bulk — but it asks for tidier artwork in return.
Vector vs raster: the single most important thing to understand
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this. There are two kinds of image file, and the difference decides whether your logo prints crisply or not.
Raster files (JPEG, PNG, GIF) are made of pixels. Zoom in far enough and you see the individual squares. They are fine for photographs, but if you scale a raster logo up to fit the back of a hoodie, the edges go soft and jagged. A logo pulled off a website is almost always low-resolution raster — usable on screen, but not ideal for print.
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) are made of mathematical lines and curves rather than pixels. That means they can be scaled to any size — a badge or a full back print — with perfectly sharp edges every time. Vector artwork is what a screen printer really wants, because it also makes separating the colours clean and precise.
If you have a vector version of your logo, send that. If you only have a JPEG or PNG, do not panic — a good-quality, high-resolution version can often still be used, and many printers (including us) can redraw a simple logo into vector for you. It is worth asking rather than sending something and hoping.
What file should I actually send?
- Best: a vector file — .AI, .EPS, .PDF or .SVG.
- Usually fine: a high-resolution .PNG with a transparent background, ideally 300 dpi at the size it will be printed.
- Ask first: a small .JPEG, a screenshot, or a logo copied from a website or social media.
When in doubt, send whatever you have and let the printer tell you if it works. It is far quicker to check up front than to discover a problem mid-order.
Colours: spot colours, Pantones and why they matter
Screen printing uses spot colours — each ink is mixed to a specific shade and printed from its own screen. This is where the Pantone Matching System (PMS) comes in. A Pantone reference is a universal code for an exact colour, so "Pantone 286 C" means the same blue to any printer, anywhere. If brand consistency matters — a club badge or a company logo that has to look identical every time — supplying Pantone references removes the guesswork.
A few practical points:
- Fewer colours usually means lower cost, because each colour is a separate screen and a separate pass through the press. A clean two-colour version of a busy logo can save money without losing impact.
- Colours look different on fabric than on a screen. A shade that glows on your monitor can sit quite differently on a garment, especially a dark one. A reputable printer will guide you on this.
- Printing on dark garments often needs an underbase (a white layer printed first) so the top colours stay bright. It is worth knowing so the finished result matches your expectation.
If you do not have Pantone references, that is fine — just tell the printer the colours you are aiming for and they will match as closely as possible.
Size, placement and a quick pre-flight check
Before you send anything, run through a short checklist. It catches the issues that most often slow orders down:
- Is it vector, or high-resolution? Sharp edges, no blur when zoomed in.
- Is the background removed? A transparent PNG or a vector avoids an unwanted box of colour around your design.
- Have you noted the print size and position? For example, "left chest, 9cm wide" or "full back, 28cm wide." Guessing here leads to prints that are too big or oddly placed.
- Have you flagged the colours? Pantone codes if you have them, or a clear description if you do not.
- Is any text turned into outlines (or the font supplied)? Otherwise the font may drop out or change on the printer's computer.
Common artwork mistakes that cause delays
The same handful of problems come up again and again. Avoid these and your order will move faster:
- Sending a tiny logo from a website and expecting it to print large.
- Assuming a Word or PowerPoint file is print-ready — it usually is not.
- Forgetting to mention the print colours, leaving the printer to guess.
- Not removing the background, so a white or coloured box prints around the design.
- Leaving it to the last minute. Artwork checks and, if needed, a redraw take a little time — build that into your deadline.
How CentralCustom helps
We would rather sort the artwork out properly than rush a print you are not happy with. Every design is checked before it goes to press, and if your logo needs tidying or redrawing into vector, we will tell you what is involved. If embroidery might suit part of your order better — a chest logo on a polo, say — we can advise on that too, because we do custom embroidery and screen printing in-house. Prefer a smaller run or a quicker turnaround for a simple design? Our custom vinyl printing page covers that alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a logo from my website or Instagram?
Sometimes, but images from the web are usually low-resolution and best suited to small prints. For anything larger, a vector file gives a much sharper result. Send what you have and we will tell you honestly whether it will work.
What if I do not have a vector file?
Many simple logos can be redrawn into vector for a small fee, or supplied as a high-resolution PNG. Just ask and we will find the best route.
Do I need to know my Pantone colours?
No. Pantone references guarantee an exact match, which helps for brand-critical work, but if you do not have them we will match your colours as closely as we can.
How much detail can screen printing handle?
It excels at bold shapes and solid colour. Very fine gradients or photographic detail are better suited to DTF or DTG — we will point you to the right method for your design.
Get your artwork ready using the checklist above, then request a quote and we will take it from there.
