Custom Shirt Artwork Guide: File Types, Resolution & Setup

May 28, 2026
Artwork Guides & Print Setup

Whether you’re ordering 12 shirts for a company retreat or 500 pieces for a Dallas nonprofit fundraiser, one thing determines the quality of your final product more than any other: your artwork file.

Most printing problems blurry prints, wrong colors, missing design elements trace back to artwork that wasn’t properly set up before it was submitted. This guide is your definitive reference for custom shirt artwork, covering file types, resolution, color modes, print size, and everything in between.

Bookmark it. Share it with your designer. Come back to it every time you place an order.

Part 1: Choosing the Right File Format

Your artwork file type affects everything: how sharply your design prints, how easily it can be adjusted, and what printing methods are available to you.

Vector Files The Professional Standard

Vector artwork is defined by mathematical paths rather than pixels. It scales infinitely without quality loss. For most professional t-shirt printing operations in Dallas-Fort Worth, this is the expected standard.

Accepted vector formats:

Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
The most widely accepted format in the print industry. If you or your designer works in Illustrator, always save the native .AI file. It preserves layers, spot colors, and editable text making adjustments fast and easy for production teams.

Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS)
A universal vector format that opens in virtually all professional design applications. Ideal for sending artwork to different vendors without compatibility concerns. Ensure fonts are outlined before exporting.

Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)
Excellent for web-based design tools (Canva Pro, Kittl, Adobe Express) and modern digital printing workflows like vinyl cutting and some DTG systems. Verify that your SVG doesn’t embed external fonts.

Print-Ready PDF (.PDF)
Only truly useful when the PDF contains embedded vector data not a raster image exported as PDF. When in doubt, ask your printer to confirm your PDF is vector-based.

Raster Files High-Resolution Required

Raster files are pixel-based. They’re common and usable, but require strict resolution minimums.

PNG (.PNG)
The preferred raster format for custom t-shirt printing. Supports transparent backgrounds, which means no white box around your design on colored shirts. Minimum: 300 DPI at actual print dimensions.

PSD (.PSD Adobe Photoshop)
Accepted by many DTG printers. Keep layers intact and set the canvas to 300 DPI at print size before you start designing. Flatten only when ready to export.

TIFF (.TIFF)
High-quality, lossless raster. Accepted for some DTG and sublimation workflows. File sizes are large.

JPEG (.JPG)
Use as a last resort. JPEG compression degrades quality every time the file is saved, and it does not support transparent backgrounds. Only acceptable if the file is at 300+ DPI and the design prints on a white or light-colored garment with no transparency needed.

Part 2: Resolution The Number That Matters Most

Resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). It refers to how much detail is packed into every inch of your printed design.

The Standard: 300 DPI at Print Size

The standard for professional print quality is 300 DPI measured at the actual size the design will be printed.

This is where many customers get tripped up. A file can say “300 DPI” in its properties, but if you’re scaling it up 300% for a full-chest print, the effective DPI drops dramatically.

Resolution math example:

Your logo is 2″ × 2″ at 300 DPI
You want it printed at 10″ × 10″ on a shirt
At that scale, effective DPI = 60 DPI (will print blurry)

The fix: Always set your canvas in your design software to the exact print dimensions you want, then design at 300 DPI within that canvas.

Checking Your File Resolution

In Photoshop: Image → Image Size. Make sure “Resample” is unchecked, then check what DPI shows at your intended print size.

In Illustrator: Resolution matters less for pure vector art — it’s only relevant if your vector file contains embedded raster elements (photos, textures).

DPI Guidelines by Print Method

Print Method	Minimum DPI	Recommended DPI
DTG (Direct-to-Garment)	200 DPI	300 DPI
Screen Printing	Vector (N/A)	Vector preferred
Sublimation	200 DPI	300 DPI
Vinyl / Heat Transfer	Vector (N/A)	Vector preferred
Embroidery	N/A	Digitized file required

Part 3: Color Modes RGB vs. CMYK vs. Pantone

Color mode is one of the most misunderstood aspects of print-ready artwork. Using the wrong mode can cause your final shirt to print with noticeably different colors than what you saw on screen.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

RGB is the color system used by screens — monitors, phones, tablets. It can display colors that physically cannot be mixed with ink, which is why a vibrant neon blue on your laptop may look muted or darker when printed.

When to use RGB: Only when your output is 100% digital (website graphics, social media).

For printing: Convert to CMYK or specify Pantone before submitting.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

CMYK is the standard for full-color printing. It represents colors achievable by mixing four ink colors. This is the correct mode for DTG printing and sublimation.

How to convert in Photoshop: Edit → Convert to Profile → CMYK (U.S. Web Coated SWOP v2 is standard).

How to convert in Illustrator: File → Document Color Mode → CMYK.

Pantone (PMS) Colors

Pantone Matching System is the standard for screen printing. Each Pantone color corresponds to a specific premixed ink, ensuring color consistency across any quantity of shirts and any printer.

If brand color accuracy matters (corporate logos, sports uniforms), always specify Pantone colors.
Reference the Pantone Color Bridge Guide to find your closest match.
Provide both the PMS number and a CMYK equivalent in your file notes.

DFW business tip: If your company has brand guidelines, they should already list your Pantone colors. Provide these to your printer along with your artwork.

Part 4: Print Size & Placement Setup

Even perfect artwork will look off if the size and placement aren’t set up correctly.

Standard T-Shirt Print Size Guidelines

Print Location	Typical Size Range
Full Front / Back	10″ – 14″ wide × 10″ – 16″ tall
Left Chest Logo	3″ – 4″ wide
Sleeve Print	3″ – 4″ wide × 3″ – 6″ tall
Neckline / Back Neck	2″ – 4″ wide
Full All-Over Print	Varies — confirm with printer

Setting Up Artwork at Print Size

When building your artwork from scratch:

Open a new document in Illustrator or Photoshop
Set dimensions to your intended print size (e.g., 12″ × 14″)
Set resolution to 300 DPI (for raster) or leave at 72 DPI for pure vector work
Design within that canvas don’t scale up afterward

Include a Placement Mockup

It’s always helpful to provide a shirt mockup with your artwork file, showing exactly where on the garment you want the design placed. Tools like Placeit or Printful’s Mockup Generator are free and easy to use. Include the mockup as a visual reference alongside your print-ready file.

Part 5: Special Considerations for Screen Printing

Screen printing has unique technical requirements that go beyond file type and resolution.

Color Separation

Each color in a screen-printed design requires its own physical screen. This means your printer needs to know exactly how many colors are in your design and what each one is.

Limit designs to 1–6 colors for the most cost-effective screen printing
Gradients and photographic images require specialty techniques (simulated process printing, halftones) — discuss with your printer first
Avoid hairline strokes thinner than 0.5pt — they can be difficult to hold on screen

Underbase for Dark Garments

When printing on dark or black shirts, screen printers typically lay down a white underbase first to make colors pop. This may add a color count and cost. Ask your DFW printer whether it’s included in your quote.

Part 6: The Print-Ready Artwork Checklist

Use this checklist before every submission:

File Format

Vector file (.AI, .EPS, .SVG, or vector PDF) OR high-resolution raster (PNG/PSD at 300 DPI at print size)
Fonts outlined (not live text) vector files only

Resolution & Size

Canvas set to actual print dimensions
Resolution is 300 DPI (raster files)
No upscaling from a smaller version

Color

Color mode is CMYK (DTG/sublimation) or Pantone spot colors (screen print)
Colors match brand guidelines where applicable

Background & Transparency

Background is transparent (PNG) or clearly defined
No unintended white boxes around design on colored shirts

Reference Files

Low-resolution JPEG preview included for color/design reference
Placement mockup included

Let Our DFW Art Team Handle It

If this feels like a lot to manage before placing a simple t-shirt order we get it. That’s why every order placed with Aaron Designs includes a free artwork review by our in-house production team.

We’ll flag any issues, suggest fixes, and send you a digital proof before anything goes to press. No hidden artwork fees. No surprises.

Request a Free Quote + Artwork Review →

Frequently Asked Questions

What resolution should artwork be for t-shirt printing?

300 DPI at your intended print size is the professional standard. This applies to raster formats like PNG and PSD. Vector files (AI, EPS) don’t have a DPI limit because they scale without quality loss.

Should I use CMYK or RGB for shirt printing?

Use CMYK for DTG and sublimation printing. Use Pantone spot colors for screen printing. RGB is only for digital/screen display and will produce unpredictable colors when printed.

How big should my t-shirt design be in inches?

A full front or back print is typically 10″–14″ wide. A left chest logo is usually 3″–4″ wide. Always confirm print area dimensions with your printer before finalizing your design.

Do I need separate files for each color in screen printing?

Not necessarily provide a single layered vector file with colors clearly separated on individual layers, or a file using defined spot colors. Your printer’s prepress team will handle the rest.

Custom Shirt Printing Design in Dallas-Fort Worth

Aaron Design proudly serves custom t-shirt and apparel printing orders throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, and Denton, TX.