Preparing Artwork for T-Shirt Printing
Sending the right design file from the start avoids back-and-forth revisions and shortens the time to receive your shirt. Here’s what to prepare before ordering.
What file format to use
Use a high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) image or logo with a transparent background (PNG), so the print doesn’t look pixelated when scaled up to the shirt’s print area, or a vector file (AI/PDF) if you have one, since vectors scale to any size without losing quality.
Reference print area size
Startee’s standard print area used in the pricing table is 35×40cm for one side of the shirt and 10×10cm for one logo — a larger design or extra print position is quoted separately. See the pricing page for details.
What to watch for on dark garments
With DTG, dark garments need a white base layer under the print before the color layer — keep this in mind for designs with light-colored or transparent areas, since the white base will show through exactly those areas.
No design file yet?
Build one directly with the online design tool — upload a logo or photo, or type text, and preview the mockup right in your browser before ordering.