Get the Right Files From Your Designer

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You’ve got the perfect t-shirt design. Hell yes! Now go back to that information you got from your printer and check to make sure you have the right files. You probably need: Your t-shirt design in vector format. This will likely be an Adobe Illustrator (AI), PDF, or EPS file. You’ll need one for each different t-shirt design you’re creating. Color codes. If your printer does custom colors, make sure you have the Pantone or CMYK color codes so that everything turns out looking like you want. 8. Find a kick-ass printer Once your design’s ready, it’s printing time! Find one that offers the method you need at a price you can afford. Of course, extra features and discounts to sweeten the deal are great, too. Sifting through printing options to find the best one for your particular project usually requires experience and time… but we’re going to fast-track it for you! Nerd t shirt Our designers create awesome stuff for us, too! T-shirt design by Asael Varas Find out if the printer has an in-house art department. Not only does this mean the printer does in-house prints, but it usually means these folks do good work.

Only successful printers can sustain an in-house art department. Request samples of finished shirts, not design images. Most printing companies love visitors! Stop by their shop to see and touch their shirts. Remember: a printer’s job is to translate design to an actual print, and only a finished product reveals that. Start building a working relationship with a printer you can grow with. Find a printer who prints six or more colors. Even if you don’t need that many for your first project, you might need them later. If background remove service you’re doing a larger order, make sure your printer offers pre-press proofs. You won’t know for sure how the design fits on the shirts until you see a sample. Beware hidden charges, particularly with screens, films or Pantone color matching. Just like any other industry, there are a few rotten eggs. Go over all the charges before payment to make sure they’re being up front. Time to design an amazing t-shirt! — Every year t-shirt design and printing are becoming more and more accessible.



They’re something every business can take advantage of… as long as they know what they’re doing. We hope this guide on how to design a t-shirt gave you everything you need to break into the world of making t-shirts. Got questions? Ask them in the comments below. Looking for the perfect custom t-shirt design? Work with our talented designers to make it happen. Get a t-shirt design! The author Matt Ellis Matt Ellis Matt Ellis is a freelance content writer, specializing in web design and ecommerce. For over a decade he's been sharing his industry knowledge through ebooks, website copy, and blog articles just like this one. You can learn more about his career and writing services at Tags Learn design Clothing & merchandise Other design T-Shirt Related articles The 10 best freelance t-shirt designers for hire in 2022 The 10 best freelance jersey designers for hire in 2022 How to print a t-shirt: a step-by-step guide to t-shirt printing Comments.