Art File Prep
If you are constructing your own artwork for any of our decoration methods, please follow these specifications to ensure the proper quality and handling of your file. Â If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.Â
Not all artwork is made equally.
Bad art = bad results.
The start of a quality printed product always starts with the artwork. For those art masters out there, the provided guides will help with packaging and preparing your files for us. For those who may not be experts, we're still here to help!
We'll do our best to put our artwork needs in layman's terms, because let's be honest, most of the art that is submitted to us isn't ready for print.
Preferred and accepted file types
Preferred Formats: Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) are preferred for screen printing because they maintain resolution regardless of size.
If designing raster (pixel-based) images in Adobe Photoshop, the artwork needs to be at least 300 DPI at the scale of the print and provided in a layered format (PSD, TIFF, PDF) should be at least 300 DPI at the final print size.
About Canva Files...
Canva is an easy-to-use design app, but screen printers hate it! While it's a helpful resource for non-designers, there are some weird nuances to accessing a printable file.
It's important to set up your Canva file properly making sure your file size is 14" x 18" or larger.
When exporting, hit the ‘Share’ button > Downloads > PDF Print.
We may ask you for supplemental files if we have issues opening the artwork in our art programs.
Screen Print Colors
HDPC offers a variety of ink colors. We print using standard plastisol inks, which follows the Coated Pantone Matching System.
You can choose from our stock inks via our ink sheet. If you have a specific PMS color you need to match, we can custom mix for $35.
If you don't know your exact colors needed, you can ask us to match for our closest stock inks.
Print Detail Minimums
Minimum line thickness for most screen printing applications is ~1pt line thickness (or 0.015 in).
Reverse (knockout) prints is ~2pt line thickness (.030 in).
Maximum halftone frequency is 55 LPI.
Embroidery Thread
HDPC offers a variety of stocked threads for embroidery.
Keep in mind there is not an infinite amount of thread options, so be kind when trying to perform an exact color match.
In addition,our satin threads have a shine which in any light or angle, variably adjusts the look/color/shade. These elements give variance to the look and even a perfect match at certain angles may not look 'perfect'. (trust us, though, it looks great)
Minimum Embroidery Details
Remember that we are using thin needles to pierce woven fabric with spun thread to achieve detail in your design. Needle and thread can only do so much!
Minimum height on text (at FULL CAPS) is 5mm. We suggest with small type san-serif fonts, or simple fonts with fixed widths such as Montserrat, Gotham, Helvetica, Arial, Roboto, Din, Bebas, etc...
Minimum line thickness for embroidery is 1mm for satin stitches. Anything less will convert to run stitches.
Gradients
In screen printing, we convert gradients into tiny dots in order for the ink to pass through the mesh of the screen. We use tiny dots (in the ranges of 35 to 55 LPI) to translate a gradient effect. Keep in mind the mechanical print process is NOT the same as what you see on a digital screen and there is fidelity loss due to the print medium.
Same with embroidery, we can only achieve so much detail in stitching colors together to simulate a gradient effect. We don't suggest it, but if you want to, note that it increases your stitch count significantly (and pricing scales up as stitch count increases).
Full color photo graphics
Depending on the project, we either digitally print (using cmyk print methods) or translate it to a simulated process print via screen printing.
Screen printing full color graphics is depending on quantity, budget, and the fabric.
Printing digitally, either with full color waterbased transfers or using cmky direct to garment print methods, may be better when attempting to preserve the original look of the art. This requires a consultation.
Banners & Signage
Large file handling
Vector artwork is best for large format printing due to the scalability of the art file.
If your art has raster elements and are printing large banners, we ask you to set your resolution to 150 DPI. While 300 DPI is generally the minimum print resolution, large banners are made for further viewing distances.
Exporting raster print files at scale (at 150 DPI) to a JPEG is sufficient for most purposes and does not obliterate your computer RAM.
Any questions, just reach out!
Feel free to share us a google folder or dropbox link via our email orders@highdesertprint.com.
Make sure to follow up letting us know you shared a file.
Can you help with art?
What do you charge for art help?
Our in-house designers can help with any of your needs:
- recreating old art
- taking artwork to ensure it's print-quality
- taking your concept and creating a print-quality artwork file
- making small tweaks, as needed
- developing concepts from scratch
We bill at an hourly rate of $60 for general design services. We're also generally fast and know what we're doing!
Conceptual design work is project-by-project. Depending on the needs, we will either bill hourly or set at a flat rate. This depends on if we are doing creative/illustration work, branding, or other complex design needs.
