More custom shirt orders are delayed by artwork issues than anything else. A logo that looks perfect on your phone or website is often unusable for printing. Here's how to make sure your artwork is ready before you submit your order.
The short version
If you want to skip the details: send us a vector file (.ai, .eps, or .svg) or a high-resolution PNG (300 DPI or higher at actual print size). That covers 90% of situations.
If you're not sure what you have, send it and we'll tell you. Free artwork help is included with every order.
File formats explained
Vector files — the gold standard
Vector files (.ai, .eps, .svg) are made of mathematical paths, not pixels. This means they can be scaled to any size — from a 1-inch hat logo to a 12-inch back print — without losing any quality. If you have a vector version of your logo, that's what you want to send.
Common sources of vector files: your graphic designer, your branding package, or your company's marketing department. Many businesses have vector files they've never used because they don't know what they are.
PNG — the best raster option
PNG files are pixel-based (raster), which means they have a fixed resolution. For printing, resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch). The requirement is 300 DPI at the actual print size.
The tricky part: a PNG that looks sharp on your computer screen is often only 72–96 DPI — fine for screens, not for printing. A 2-inch logo at 96 DPI will print blurry at 10 inches.
How to check: in any image editor, look at the file's properties. Resolution should be 300 DPI or higher at the print dimensions you need.
JPEG — usually not usable
JPEGs are compressed files designed for photos and web use. The compression introduces artifacts around edges that show up as halos or blurriness in print. JPEGs also can't have transparent backgrounds — which means you're stuck with whatever background color was baked into the file. Avoid sending JPEGs for logo printing.
💡 Have a logo that's only available as a JPEG or low-res PNG? Don't worry — Turbo Tees can often recreate a clean version of a simple logo for you. Send what you have and we'll tell you what's possible.
Color modes
Color mode matters for accurate color reproduction.
CMYK vs RGB
Screens display color in RGB (Red, Green, Blue). Printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Colors look different in each mode — what looks vibrant on screen can print duller in CMYK.
For screen printing, files should be in CMYK with Pantone color callouts if brand color accuracy is important. For DTF, RGB files work — our equipment handles the conversion.
Pantone colors
If your brand has official Pantone color codes, include them. Pantone is the universal language of color in printing — it ensures that your navy blue is the right shade of navy, not whatever the printer interprets from your CMYK values.
Background transparency
Your logo should be on a transparent background, not a white or colored box. A logo on a white background will print that white box onto the shirt — which usually isn't what you want, especially on dark shirts.
Vector files handle this automatically. For PNGs, make sure the file has transparency (you should see a checkered pattern behind the logo in most image editors, not a solid color).
What to include when you send your artwork
- The logo file (vector preferred, high-res PNG accepted)
- Pantone or hex color codes if brand accuracy matters
- Notes on what should and shouldn't be included (taglines, URLs, etc.)
- Any design references or inspiration if you want us to create something
Still not sure? Send what you have to turbo@turbotees.com or call 855-TSHIRT-5. We'll tell you exactly what we need.