Have a great idea, but don't know how to get it ready for us to print? Don't worry! We have an excellent artist on-staff to help you move your amazing idea into reality!
Scribble it down on a scratch piece of paper and bring it in, or send her at email at graphics@gppaustin.com
Guidelines
Vector vs. Rastor
Vector graphics is the use of geometrical primitives such
as points, lines, curves, and polygons, which are all based upon mathematical equations to represent images in computer graphics.
It is used in contrast to the term raster graphics, which is the representation of images as a collection of pixels, and used as the sole graphic type for actual photographic images. The parameters of vector objects are stored and can be later modified. This means that moving, scaling, rotating, filling etc. doesn't degrade the quality of a drawing.
Common vector file formats:
- EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
- WMF (Windows Metafile)
- AI (Adobe Illustrator)
- CDR (CorelDraw)
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
A raster image is a collection of dots called pixels. Each pixel is a tiny colored square. When an image is scanned, the image is converted to a collection of pixels called a raster image. Scanned graphics and web graphics (JPEG and GIF files) are the most common formats for raster images.
Common raster file formats:
- BMP (Windows Bitmap)
- PCX (Paintbrush)
- TIFF (Tag Interleave Format)
- JPEG (Joint Photographics Expert Group)
- GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
- PNG (Portable Network Graphic)
- PSD (Adobe PhotoShop)
- CPT (Corel PhotoPAINT)
Image Size
Please submit all files at the size you wish them to be printed.
If you are unsure of what size might be appropriate, our customer service rep will be glad to help you decide.
Generally, full front or back prints are between 10 and 12 inches wide by any height up to 14 inches. Left chest prints generally range from 2 1/2 to 4 inches wide and sleeve prints are usually 2 to 3 inches wide.
Sizing is a matter of taste so these are not to be taken as strict guidelines. We are capable of printing as large as 12 by 14 inches.
Vector Documents
Illustrator up to CS4, Adobe PDF, Corel Draw up to 10
In general, keep in mind that most screen printing is a spot color medium, as opposed to offset, where the majority of color work is process color.
If identical objects overlay one another precisely, please separate by layer.
If appropriate, submit files with all colors converted to spot colors, and all unused colors deleted from the document.
Unless there is a large body of text in the file, please convert all type to outlines or curves. As most t-shirt designs are not text intensive, this will prevent confusion and save you the time of loading fonts onto the disk.
Use the Pantone Matching System for spot colors. Be sure to check the PMS book for color accuracy as the on-screen versions are often misleading.
Pixel Based Photo Documents
Please do not send jpgs or gifs that have been downloaded from the web. These files are sized at a low resolution in order to load quickly on a website. They do not provide enough resolution for us to use as actual artwork.
Submit all full color photographic and continuous tone files in RGB format.
Photographic and continuous tone color and grayscale files should be to size, at least 150 ppi, (pixels per inch). If your files are at all detailed and are much below 150 ppi, there could be less than desirable results.
Text files, Spot color or black & white illustrations and line drawings created or scanned into Photoshop require a very high resolution in order to maintain clean curves and and crisp edges. Please submit these files at no less than 300ppi. If you are unable to provide this resolution we can scan your original.