How to prepare a file for printing?
Many people wonder what it takes to prepare the correct graphics for printing. Few people know what elements make up the quality of the file so that when sent to the printing house it does not raise any objections.
File format
Because of the graphics software used by the graphic designer and our printing house, it will be crucial to save the file in the correct format. This will avoid unnecessary errors. The formats we accept are .cdr, .eps, .ai, .pdf, .png, .jpg. We do not work on .svg files as they do not work properly with our graphics programs.
PDF, CDR, EPS, AI
Graphics for printing work best when prepared in vector and the lettering is converted to curves. The most common format for saving vector graphics is .pdf, but attached .cdr, .eps and .ai files are also welcome. Working in graphics programs such as Corel or Adobe Illustrator allows you to save vector graphics, which is important when the project is to be printed in different sizes, since modifying the size of the graphic does not adversely affect its quality. Saving in vectors will work well for such printing techniques as thermal transfer flex and flock, screen printing or embroidery, as well as hot stamping, pad printing and laser engraving for advertising gadgets (product catalogue).
JPG, PNG or TIFF?
These forms of saving are also accepted. However, be sure to save the graphics as a large image, with a resolution of 300 ppi, otherwise the so-called “pixelosis”, or blurriness, may appear, which will be visible in printing. Graphics saved to .jpg will work best for sublimation and subli-flock printing, while .png (preferably with a transparent background) will be suitable for DTF digital printing. Graphics saved to .tiff are also suitable for printing, but their weight is usually very high, so we advise avoiding this form of saving
CMYK or RGB, or maybe PANTONE?
Printing colors depend on the printing technique you want to use. For sublimation and sublimation, CMYK colors should be preset. However, for digital printing, in the case of our BROTHER GTX PRO printer, the best colors come out set in RGB (even though the print is CMYK) – we know it’s messed up, but that’s just the way it is Whereas for screen printing and pad printing, you should specify colors in Pantone Solid Coated, because the inks are mixed according to special proportions given in the Pantone template. We are left with two more techniques for printing on garments, namely flex and flock foils. In the case of thermal transfer, it doesn’t matter what colors we give to the graphics, because the aforementioned films already have top-down colors imposed by the manufacturer, and we only cut them on the plotter and press them into the garment.
Resolution of 300 ppi what does it mean?
This means that your graphic will be printed at very high resolution, thus avoiding “pixelosis” and any blurriness. The larger the size / resolution of the graphic, the better the print. However, let’s not exaggerate when saving the graphics you have created, 300 ppi is enough.
Are you interested in this article?
- Find out more by contacting us.
Read unique tips on various aspects of printing:
- What is the best grammage for a t-shirt?
- To sew or not to sew – that is the question!
- How to prepare a design for printing
- How to create your own clothing brand?
- To wash or not to wash? That is the Question!
- All tips
