How to Prepare Artwork For T-Shirt Printing

The first step in preparing your t-shirt artwork is to make a copy of it. This will prevent you from deleting your design file and allow you to edit it if you need to. Many designers mistakenly delete their design file after sending it to the printing company, resulting in starting over from scratch. By saving two copies of your design, you can change one while keeping the baseline.

Software Tools For Screen Printing

There are several advantages to using screen printing software. It will save you time and money. However, you must know how to use it. If you don’t have a lot of knowledge about graphics and vector art, you should start with the basics and learn about color separation and image retouching before using screen-printing software. Here are some of the top programs that are ideal for beginners. We’ve listed them in no particular order.

Adobe Illustrator Tool

If you’re a beginner, Adobe Illustrator is the best tool for you. This software allows you to use layered illustrations and logos and is free from complicated user interfaces. Most printing companies require layered raster graphics. This means that you’ll need a scalable EPS or vector-based image file to be used for screen printing or embroidery. If you’re not an artist, you can use an easy-to-use, free software program that can help you prepare your art.

Grafco AST; Xero Sep

This software program is designed to optimize polychromy screen printing; it can simplify creating color separations in complex images. It can also help you make white backprints and supports digital printing. With these, you can get the job done more quickly. It also keeps speeding up the process. If you’re looking to buy software for screen printing, make sure that it is user-friendly and offers all the features you need.

UltraSeps

Another software package created by an industry veteran, UltraSeps, is popular among screen printers. It has plenty of features for screen printers. It comes in two versions, version 2 and version 3. It has undergone some changes in the licensing model, but the software’s overall functionality and ease of use remain the same. Despite the many benefits of UltraSeps, choosing it is a tough decision.

Inkscape

Inkscape is free software for designing graphics. It is a vector-graphics program that works with scaled images. It supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. Moreover, it is available in multiple languages, including Arabic and Japanese. Inkscape is an excellent option for professional-grade screen-printing artists. It is available for download on the internet. Its features and capabilities are unmatched in the industry.

Another popular software application for color separations is InkSeps. It features an easy-to-use web browser APP and importers for Adobe PhotoShop, CorelDRAW, and other design software. It includes a t-shirt designer tool and allows you to design online with your t-shirt designs. You can even run an online store through InkSeps.

Apart from screen-printing software, many other programs are essential for graphic designers. In addition to a good selection of screen-printing software, you should also consider the price range and the functionality of the software. The cost of each program may vary, but the quality is well worth it. This software is handy if you are a beginner. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to use.

Printavo

The software offers several features to help a screen-printing business manage its workflow. Unlike non-industry-specific project management solutions, Printavo is a screen-printing-specific solution.

Its features include:

  • Pre-production tasks
  • Art approval
  • Attractive quotes
  • Invoice generation

It has the most advanced print-management tools and is an excellent choice for any screen-printing shop.

Print Your Design in Different Sizes & Colors

Remember that you can’t print any design you don’t like before submitting your T-shirt design. Practice printing it in different sizes and colors. Pinning your design to the cloth will give it a more real-world appearance and avoid misinterpretation. Also, make sure to include any necessary information for a label. Once you have proofed the artwork, it’s time to prepare the t-shirt-printing process.

Choose a Color Palette

The next step in preparing your T-shirt artwork is to choose a color palette. A color chart is the easiest way to determine the right colors for your T-shirt design. Ensure that your image matches the PMS palette. Choosing a color scheme according to the Pantone shade is essential if you want to avoid going back and forth on your design.

Prepare Your Artwork

Then, you should prepare your artwork. Creating an eye-catching t-shirt design can be time-consuming, but if you’re skilled enough, it won’t take long. You can even try out CorelDraw’s application on the internet to create your t-shirt design. You can also create an original based on your own.

Use a Vector-Based Format

When preparing your t-shirt design, use a vector-based format. Unlike raster images, vector-based plans are more detailed and easily scaled. So the resulting t-shirt design should not look blurry. The colors should be accurate to ensure the best quality. A color-matched t-shirt should be created in a color-safe environment.

Use High-Quality Artwork

To get the best results from your t-shirt printing, make sure you use high-quality, 600-dpi artwork. Ideally, your artwork should be a jpeg or a PNG file. It should also be sent to the printer in high-resolution format, which will allow for a more accurate print. If your t-shirt design is a raster file, you need to use an appropriate enlargement or resizing of the file.