ARTWORK GUIDELINES

Quick Reference

Camera Ready Art Guidelines and Prep
Copyright Issues
Money Saving Tips
Free Stock Images
Let Us Create Your Artwork

Submitting Your Art Files

We will need to receive a file that contains the information you want imprinted on your custom items. Read our money and time saving tips before submitting your files. Submit your artwork (imprint) files using these options:

1. If you have ordered custom items in the past you may have a logo or artwork file that's been previously prepared. Submit artwork after checkout. You will receive instructions for submitting your files after you check out.
   
2. If you don't have an artwork file or a designer that can help, let us create a FREE imprint for your order. We will gladly create artwork from scratch for your custom project. Please be aware that this will add an additional 3-5 working days to your timeline. If the order is needed as a rush, additional charges will apply.
   
3. Add your personalization (logo, name, event, date, etc) to our stock designs. To see our available stock designs, click here or click "Image Gallery" from any page on this site.
   
4. Request art services from the factory by clicking here. This is a great option for spec samples, prototypes, special fulfillment and mass merchandising. Once you have provided your instructions and requirements, we will notify you of the charges to process your request. For this option click here.
   
5. Some custom items only require that you provide the text wanted imprinted on the item. In that case enter the text in the box provided in the product detail page when you add the item(s) to your cart. Or if a text box is not available with the product details, contact us and provide the text wanted with the item you would like to order. If you have placed an order online, please provide the order number in your correspondence.

Read more about submitting files:

1. Submit Existing Artwork Files:

• Files that are camera ready. will take less time to process. If we have to make your files camera ready it will delay getting your order submitted. Any work that can be done ahead of time will expedite processing the order. However, if you're not sure, don't worry we provide the service free of charge. Not sure what camera ready means? Read our guidelines below.
  
• Once the files are camera ready, send them to the email address in your confirmation email once you have submitted your order. Include your name, company name and order number with the artwork email to make it easy to match your order with your files.
  
• Artwork collateral, files, disks and other materials submitted will not be returned. Please do not send originals. For file uploads larger than 5 MB, compress or zip them to assure transmittal.
  
• If it is determined that submitted artwork is not camera ready and we cannot convert it, due to incompatibility with our system (see Camera Ready Guidelines below), we will send the buyer a quote from the factory outlining any additional charges for approval before any work is done on the order.
  
• It is the factory's choice to accept or reject orders and artwork received, based on their policies, available resources and current volume. For example, a factory may reject an order if after reviewing the artwork, they find that they don't have the ability to produce the order by the customer's deadline. They may also find that they do not have the equipment or time to product an order that has what they consider to be complex art.
  
• If you are planning for a specific event and need to have items in hand by a deadline, we recommend submitting your order 6-8 weeks prior to your event date to assure that there will be enough time to process the order if issues arise. We can process most orders in much less time than that, however if issues arise, we may have to charge for expedited production and shipping to deliver the order by your deadline. We don't have an order until the factory has reviewed and accepted your artwork files.
  

Camera Ready Artwork: Guidelines

We have hundreds of manufacturers and each one has a different method for working with artwork files. These guidelines will work for most orders, but keep in mind that they are generic formatting guidelines that may not work will all orders received. If further information is needed we will contact the factory and communicate any issues to the customer.

We'll start by explaining the common formats that are not camera ready. The formats below are NOT camera ready because they are raster based, i.e. made from a grid or pixel pattern, and break into a distorted, stair stepped pattern when files are enlarged or manipulated for printing:

• MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents
• JPEG, GIF, PDF, HTML or Web Pages

Customers can submit raster based files like .jpg, .gif, .pdf, or html file types or MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel files to provide an illustration or description of what is wanted for the custom imprint. However, these file types will need additional work before they will be camera ready.

We will review the files received and let the customer know if any additional work will be needed, and any related charges to make it camera ready. Add an additional 3-5 working days to the turnaround timeline if these file types are submitted. A customer approved artwork proof will be sent for approval before processing the order.

Camera Ready Art Prep

Camera ready artwork is vector based and provides the best quality for a clean and crisp imprint. If you would like to prepare files yourself or you have graphic design capabilities please follow these guidelines:

• Camera ready files are solid, black and white images (no gray or halftones) and are required to provide a good imprint. They are made from vectors and stored as geometric information that can be scaled easily without producing the stair step edges you find in pixel based (raster) images. They adapt to the resolution of any output device and are generally produced by programs like Adobe Illustrator, Freehand and Corel Draw.
  
• Prepare vector art files in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw in Encapsulated Post Script (EPS) format saved at a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
  
• The image should be sized to fit the imprint area outlined in the product description. Make sure the file can fit the imprint area without distortion. Imprint area and sizing is usually found in the detailed description of each item. If no imprint size is provided, call or email our office and we will provide the imprint dimensions for you.
  
• All type or fonts used in the image must be converted to outlines or curves. If changes to the text must be made, the original font files should be supplied.
  

• Please Note: Each supplier has their own requirements for art files. Some of them use PC's and some use Mac formats as well as various graphic design software applications. Because of the number of suppliers we work with, it's impossible to plan for the requirements of all of them.
  
  However we do have information on most of their published formats. If you or your graphic design team have questions about the format needed for your order, please contact us and we can provide more information.

Artwork Verification: We will print a copy of the artwork file provided and fax it with your order to provide the supplier with information on how you want your imprint to be arranged. Be sure to review your files before sending them to make sure that what we receive matches your desired imprint. If you have any special requirements be sure to let us know. If proofs are wanted, please request them when the order is placed. * Most proofs are free, however some companies charge a minimal fee to provide a proof via email. We will contact you if we find that there are additional charges.

BACK TO TOP

Copyright Issues

Please do not submit artwork for use unless you own the content and/or have a license to use it. Submitted artwork is assumed to comply with laws governing copyright, trademark etc. The use of licensed artwork requires a written release from the licensee. Corporate, non-profit and government logos must be submited by authorized agents of the corporation, organization or government agency.

We will not print unofficial images and merchandise displaying famous musicians, bands, sports teams, etc. without written permission. We will not print sexually explicit, violent or otherwise harrassing or offensive material that is targeted to any person or group. We reserve the right (as does our suppliers) to reject any imprint material that is not acceptable for the reasons outlined.

BACK TO TOP

Money Saving Tips for Your Imprint

The most common way to save with promotional items is with volume discounts. Translated, this means the more pieces you buy the bigger the quantity discount. There is another way to save with your imprint which is important to the final cost of your promotional items. There are a number of choices for saving on your imprint, depending on your needs.

For apparel, we offer screen printing, embroidery and heat transfer imprints. The pricing quoted on our site is for screen printed items which is our most popular imprint process. For embroidery or heat transfer, please request a quote for pricing.

Save With No Set Up Charge

When looking for ways to save, consider items like selected pens, pencils, magnets and writing instruments in general that do not normally have set up charges for imprints with up to 4 colors with camera ready art. Makers of buttons, bumper stickers, adhesive pads, and selected bags waive set up charges frequently. Buying these items will spread your message, and are great ways to advertise on a budget. Regularly check our specials for manufacturer's discounts and deals that are updated quarterly or as we receive them.

Screen Printing

To keep costs low on a screen printed design, use an imprint that looks good in one color or as few colors as possible. The more imprint colors and imprint locations that have to be set up, the more the item(s) will end up costing.

Set up Charges: In screen printing, actual screens are set for each imprint color/location. The time taken to set up each imprint color and each imprint location is reflected in the set up charge. So for example, if you have a four color imprint in two locations you would add the set up charge six times, and add in some cases you would add a run charge to each garment ordered.

Most of our items include a one color, one location imprint for the price quoted in the product description along with a one time set up fee. To keep costs low, for example if your imprint colors are red and yellow, one strategy would be to order a yellow shirt and use a red imprint (or vice versa with a red shirt and yellow imprint) for a colorful, attention getting combination. The goal in this strategy is to use the shirt color as part of the overall design to achieve a colorful pallette on a budget.

Embroidery

If cost is a factor and you must have more than one color in your imprint, embroidery is another option. You can have an embroidered design with from 4000 to 8000 stitches and includes a one time set up fee.

Set up Charges: Instead of paying for each color and/or location, with embroidery you have a one time set up fee that includes digitizing the artwork and programming the machines the first time. The cost for embroidery will vary depending on the size of the imprint (number of stitches), and whether you will need color matching technology (PMS colors) or standard colors.

One square inch of solid embroidery is equal to about 2,000 stitches, so the base cost of your project can be determined by the overall size of your artwork. Of course, volume is also a consideration, the more pieces you buy the bigger the discount.

Heat Transfer

With heat transfer printing manufacturers can print images with many colors on shirts. Images are printed on commercial heat transfer paper. Although this paper is similar to iron-on paper that you can get at a retail store, it is NOT. The commercial grade paper has more durability. With heat transfer, each image is hand cut or cut using a graphics plotter.

A small border is commonly left around the image to aid in durability. The image is positioned on the product and then it goes to the heat press. The commercial paper melts into the fibers of the clothing, making it a part of the item without disturbing the image.

Set up Charges: The cost of setting up machinery is usually factored into the cost of each piece but some manufacturers may charge separately for this. If it is a separate charge, it is a normally a one time fee.

Using the heat transfer method enables the manufacturer to print in many colors as needed on any color fabric. The colors come out bright and bold. This process takes longer if hand cutting is used. It is also used more for smaller quantities because of the time factor. For pricing on heat transfer imprinting, contact us with your requirements and we will provide a quote.

Imprinting Non Wearable Promotional Items and Gifts

Other promotional items and gifts commonly have a standard imprint location and are printed using hot stamp, engraving and lithography with details provided in the product description. For questions on the cost to imprint more than one imprint color for these items please complete a price quote.

Develop Your Creative Side: Learn to DIY (Do It Yourself)
We Now Have Books and Companion CDs! Learn About:

• design and entertaining
• art room equipment
• managing the art process
• exhibiting at trade shows
• vector vs. raster artwork
• working with photos
• separating your artwork for screen printing

Get the inside track to your next promotional project. Create artwork for t-shirts and other custom printed items. Choose from these featured titles or browse our store. Buy directly from Amazon!

2. Use Our FREE Stock Designs:

• Our stock designs are available for use on any of our promotional items, whether you order online or from our Best Buys catalog. Just include the title of the image with your order. We're adding more stock images to our site so if you don't find an image that you're looking for, contact us. We probably have it in our inventory.

• You can use stock designs alone or you can add your logo and text to personalize the item.

• Stock designs are constantly updated, look over the ones currently available. Make suggestions about images you would like to see.

3. Request Art/Design Services:

• Most factories will create artwork based on your specifications for an hourly rate that varies between $15.00 and $30.00 per hour. The artwork created by the factory is maintained for two years for reorders.
  
• Provide a description of what you want printed on your item(s) with as much detail as possible, including desired fonts, colors, wording and any graphics you would like to have added.
  
• The factory will provide an estimate of any charges that apply to create or modify the artwork to get it into camera ready format.
  
• Once we receive approval for the order and/or the art file, the custom printed order will be processed. Keep in mind that production time does not begin until all order components are ready, including artwork.
  

Please Note:

Keep in mind that creating and approving artwork will require additional processing time. Production will not begin on your order until all artwork is approved and all questions about the order have been answered.

Mail Your Artwork Files

If you want to mail your artwork, be sure to include your name, company name, daytime phone number, and the item(s) ordered with your art files. Make sure to clearly label all CDs, disks and other materials. We normally receive mailed art files in 3-5 business days with normal delivery. Send files using expedited delivery for rush orders. Files can be saved to a CD or 3.5” disk or printed copy can be supplied on high quality, smooth, glossy paper in mailing materials that support fragile handling. Send us an email and let us know that you're sending files by mail.

Mail To:
Custom T-Shirt Makers
ATTN: Artwork Dept.
P.O. Box 91
Dayton, Ohio 45401-0091