Create motivation requirements & print data correctly

The quality of your print file has a direct impact on the later print result. The cleaner the design is laid out, the better colors, details, and contours can be implemented in the print.

In principle, print data can be created as vector files or as pixel graphics. If your design is available in both formats, a vector file is always the better choice. For screen printing, it is even required depending on the design, especially when colors need to be cleanly separated or fixed printing standards need to be adhered to. Logos, lettering, and graphics with clear areas should ideally be created as vector files.

It is ideal if your design is already prepared in the desired print size, the colors are as close as possible to the later print result, and the background has been removed. A cut-out design facilitates further processing and ensures a clean result, especially in digital printing.

All print data is professionally checked for free by us before production. If necessary and technically possible, we make minor optimizations.

General Requirements for Print Data

Regardless of the file format, the rule is: The cleaner the print file is laid out, the smoother the production runs. Therefore, pay attention to the following points:

• Design as close as possible to the desired print size
• Remove the background if possible
• Lay out colors cleanly and distinctly
• Do not leave fonts as editable text
• Do not use unnecessary effects, masks, or transparencies
• Use only high-quality original files

Blurry templates, small web graphics, or subsequently upscaled files generally do not lead to better print quality. Therefore, a file should always be created or exported in the best possible source quality.

Vector Files

Vector files are the best basis for many print designs. They can be scaled without loss of quality and are particularly well suited for logos, fonts, pictograms, and graphic designs with clear edges. For screen printing, vector files are often the preferred or required basis because colors can be cleanly separated and designs can be implemented precisely in printing.

It is important that all fonts and texts are converted into paths or curves before export. Only then can it be ensured that there are no display errors when opening the file.

Suitable file formats for vector data are:

• .eps
• .ai
• .cdr up to version X3
• .pdf

Typical programs for creating vector graphics are:

• Adobe Illustrator
• CorelDRAW
• Scribus
• Inkscape

If you do not have a vector file, we are happy to check whether your design can also be used on another basis. If vectorization is necessary, we can take care of it for €35 gross per design.

Pixel Graphics

Pixel graphics are particularly suitable for photos, detailed illustrations, or designs with soft gradients. The resolution is especially crucial here. For a clean print result, we recommend 300 dpi in the desired print size.

Files from websites are usually not suitable for printing, as they often only come in at 72 dpi. Additionally, subsequent enlargement does not improve the actual quality.

For digital direct printing and raster screen printing, pixel graphics should be created in the RGB color space. A transparent background or a cut-out design is advisable and often necessary for digital printing on colored textiles.

Furthermore, the following applies:

• Layers should be rasterized
• Effects and fill methods should be permanently reduced
• Masks should not be included
• The file should be reduced to a background layer
• Halftones and alpha channels should be avoided

You often recognize halftones by the fact that colors change visibly depending on the background. Such effects cannot always be reliably implemented in printing and should therefore be removed before export.

Suitable file formats for pixel graphics are:

• .png
• .jpg
• .tiff

Typical programs for creating pixel graphics are:

• Adobe Photoshop
• GIMP

Special Features in Screen Printing

In screen printing, there are additional requirements to ensure that fine details remain sharp in the print and colors can be implemented correctly.

Ensure that lines and graphic elements are not too fine. The line thickness should be at least 1 mm, and for polo shirts, at least 2 mm. Otherwise, it may happen that the color bleeds or fine elements break off in the print.

Fonts should also be laid out sufficiently large. As a guideline:

• Arial at least 30 points
• Arial Bold at least 20 points

For color specification in screen printing, we work with Pantone Solid Coated. The print colors are mixed from 14 base colors, allowing for over 1000 shades without extra charge. If fixed Pantone values are defined for your design or company logo, you can specify them in the ordering process. If no specific value is provided, we will choose the Pantone value that is closest to the color tone of your print file.

It is important to note: Currently, Pantone values can only be mixed up to 7547C.

The Most Important Requirements at a Glance

For a quick overview, you should pay attention to the following points regarding your print data:

• Prefer vector files, especially for logos, fonts, and screen printing
• 300 dpi for pixel graphics in final size
• Cut-out design or transparent background
• RGB color space for digital direct printing and raster screen printing
• No masks, halftones, or unnecessary effects
• Convert fonts to paths
• Cleanly reduce layers and effects
• Use only high-quality source files

If No Perfect Print File is Available

Not every file is print-ready from the start. Therefore, we check each print file for free before production. If minor adjustments are possible, we will make them directly as part of the data check.

If you do not have a vector file, we can vectorize your design if necessary. If you are unsure whether your file is suitable for printing, you can also send it to us in advance for review.