Get cleaner prints. Sharper details. Brighter colors. Longer-lasting results.
These design tips will help you prepare artwork that looks crisp on screen and
presses perfectly onto garments, hoodies, totes, and more.
Whether you're uploading a single design or building a full gang sheet, following these guidelines will ensure your artwork prints cleanly every time.
File Types That Print Best
Recommended Formats- PNG (transparent background)
- PSD
- TIFF
- PDF (flattened)
- AI (outline your fonts)
- JPEG with white background
- Screenshots from phone
- Photos of printed images
Remove Backgrounds & Clean Up Edges
DTF prints exactly what you upload—including stray pixels.
Check for:- Faint outlines around objects
- Soft white halos
- Random specks in transparent areas
- Blurry or feathered edges
If you need us to clean up edges, we can assist for an artwork fee.
Use Bold, Clear Colors
DTF prints vibrant colors, but muddy or desaturated art will stay muddy.
Tips:- Increase contrast slightly
- Saturate bold colors to make them pop
- Avoid extremely subtle gradients
- Avoid translucent layers (set them to 100% opacity)
For neon effects, we recommend using bright solid colors.
Tips for Text & Lettering
Keep text bold and clean
Thin script fonts can break or flake after washing.
Connect script letters
For cursive fonts, ensure the letters overlap slightly to avoid isolated islands.
Avoid overly thin outlines
Try:
- ✔ 2–3 pt outlines
- ✘ <1 pt outlines
Color Matching Notes
DTF printing is vibrant, but it is not exact Pantone matching.
What to expect:- Bold colors look strongest
- Light tans, beiges, and gray tones may shift slightly
- Metallic colors print as flat colors (no shimmer)
If you need exact color accuracy, send a screenshot or hex values.
Designing Gang Sheets
Leave a small gap between designs
We recommend 0.25 inches between each design.
Keep your artwork upright
Upside-down or sideways art can cause cutting mistakes.
Don’t put objects too close together
Make sure each design stands alone when cut.
If you need us to arrange your gang sheet, we can do that for you before printing.
Best Practices for Clean Pressing Results
Design choices impact how well a print presses.
Avoid extremely thin elements
They may peel or crack over time.
Avoid super tiny distress textures
Simplify distressed areas for smoother results.
Use solid shapes whenever possible
Solid areas always press cleaner and last longer.
Need Help Preparing a File?
Our team can assist with:
- Background removal
- Edge cleanup
- DPI fixes
- Text sharpening
- Full gang sheet layout
Just upload your artwork or reach out to support.
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