Good branding starts with good artwork.
Every branding method works a little differently.
A logo that works beautifully for Digital Printing may need to be simplified for Embroidery. A colour that looks one way on your screen may appear differently when printed onto a coloured product. And that tiny JPEG copied from a website? It may look fine on screen but not contain enough information for production.
These terms explain how artwork, proofs, colours and branding approvals are handled when ordering through Ecosource.
What artwork should I supply?
Wherever possible, please supply vector artwork.
Common vector formats include:
Vector artwork is created using mathematical paths rather than a fixed grid of pixels. This means it can generally be resized without losing quality, making it ideal for logos and promotional-product branding.
Depending on the branding method, high-resolution raster artwork may also be suitable.
If you're unsure, send us what you have and we'll let you know.
Why doesn't my JPEG always work?
JPEG, PNG and other raster images are made from pixels.
When a small or low-resolution image is enlarged, those pixels become increasingly visible and the artwork can appear:
- blurry
- pixelated
- jagged
- soft around the edges
This is why a logo that looks perfectly acceptable in an email or on a website may not be suitable for printing at a larger size.
A JPEG isn't automatically unusable. Suitability depends on its resolution, size and the branding method being used.
Where the supplied file isn't suitable, we may request another version or discuss artwork recreation.
Vector vs raster
VECTOR
- Built from mathematical paths.
- Can generally be resized without losing quality.
- Common formats: AI · EPS · SVG · some PDFs.
- Usually preferred for logos, text, line artwork and spot-colour branding.
RASTER
- Built from pixels.
- Quality depends on the original image dimensions and resolution.
- Common formats: JPEG · JPG · PNG · TIFF.
- Can be appropriate for photographs, detailed imagery and selected digital/full-colour processes.
Vector
Clean edges at any size
Raster (enlarged)
Pixelated, soft edges
Important: A PDF is not automatically vector artwork. A low-resolution JPEG saved inside a PDF is still a raster image.
Artwork preparation
Artwork must be suitable for the selected product, branding position and decoration method.
Depending on the artwork supplied, preparation may include:
- resizing
- repositioning
- converting colours
- preparing separations
- adapting artwork to the available branding area
- preparing files for the selected decoration process
- other production preparation
Significant artwork recreation or modification may incur an additional charge.
If additional charges are required, these should be communicated before the relevant artwork work proceeds.
Branding methods have different requirements
There isn't one artwork rule that works perfectly for every branding method.
Ecosource products may support methods including:
Digital Printing
Useful for detailed and full-colour artwork on suitable products.
Digital Transfer
Suitable for detailed or full-colour artwork on compatible products.
Screen Printing
Particularly suited to solid-colour artwork and bold graphics.
Pad Printing
Often used for smaller branding areas and curved or irregular surfaces.
Laser Engraving
Creates branding by marking the product surface rather than applying coloured ink.
Embroidery
Reproduces artwork using thread and stitches, so artwork may need to be simplified.
Debossing
Creates a recessed impression and generally works best with clean shapes and lettering.
Sublimation
Can reproduce detailed, full-colour artwork on compatible receptive surfaces.
Other branding methods may also be available depending on the product.
Visit the Branding Guide for an explanation of the available methods
Branding availability is product-specific
Not every branding method is available on every product.
Available methods, positions, maximum branding areas and colour capabilities depend on the individual product and its production requirements.
The branding information displayed on each product page represents the options available for that product based on the information currently provided to Ecosource.
Never assume that because a branding method is available on one product, it is automatically available on another.
Branding positions & maximum areas
Every product has its own available branding positions and maximum branding areas.
A maximum branding area is exactly that: the maximum available area. It does not necessarily mean artwork should fill the entire area.
The final artwork size may be adjusted to maintain the correct proportions, readability and visual balance of the supplied design.
Where branding dimensions are critical, please raise this before approving the artwork proof.
Artwork proofs
Where applicable, Ecosource will provide an artwork proof before production.
The proof allows you to review the proposed branding before the order proceeds.
Please check it carefully.
Your proof may show information such as:
- product
- product colour
- logo or artwork
- branding method
- branding position
- approximate branding size
- artwork colour information
- other production details relevant to the order
Production will generally proceed after the required approval has been received.
Before you approve
Please check:
Spelling
Is every word correct?
Logo
Is this the correct version?
Position
Is the branding where you expect it?
Size
Does the branding size shown look correct?
Colour
Have the correct colour references been supplied?
Product
Is the product and product colour correct?
Quantity
Does the order information match what you expect?
Once approved, your proof becomes an important production reference.
What does artwork approval mean?
By approving an artwork proof, you confirm that you have reviewed and accepted the information shown on that proof.
Approval authorises production to proceed based on the approved artwork and confirmed order details.
If an error is clearly visible on an approved proof and the finished merchandise is subsequently produced in accordance with that proof, the error will generally not be considered a production fault.
If you notice an error after approving artwork, contact us immediately.
If production has not started, we will determine whether the change can still be made.
Once production has begun, changes may no longer be possible and additional costs may apply.
Proof approval
Check the proof carefully — once approved, we produce to that specification.
Colour matching
Colour is one of the most common areas of misunderstanding in branded merchandise.
A colour displayed on a computer or phone screen is not necessarily an accurate representation of how that colour will appear on a physical product.
Where a branding process supports specified spot colours, please provide the appropriate Pantone/PMS reference.
Even when a Pantone/PMS reference is supplied, the final appearance can be influenced by:
- product material
- product colour
- ink type
- surface coating
- branding process
- thread
- engraving response
- firing or transfer process
- other production factors
Exact colour matching cannot therefore be universally guaranteed across every product and branding method.
CMYK, RGB and Pantone aren't the same thing
Different colour systems are designed for different purposes.
RGB
Primarily used for screens and digital displays.
CMYK
Commonly used in full-colour printing processes.
Pantone / PMS
A standardised colour reference system commonly used where specific spot colours need to be communicated.
Converting between these systems can produce differences in appearance.
The appropriate colour information depends on the branding method selected.
Laser engraving doesn't print a colour
Laser Engraving is different from a printed branding method.
The laser marks or removes part of the product surface, so the finished colour and contrast depend on how that particular material or coating responds.
Supplying a Pantone colour therefore does not mean the engraved result will reproduce that Pantone colour.
Embroidery uses thread
Embroidery reproduces artwork using stitches rather than ink.
Logos may need to be simplified or adjusted to produce a suitable embroidered result.
Very small text, thin lines, gradients and extremely fine details may not reproduce effectively.
Thread colours are selected from the colours available for the embroidery process and should not automatically be interpreted as exact printed Pantone/PMS matches.
Debossing relies on the material
Traditional Debossing creates an impression in the product surface rather than printing a coloured logo.
The finished appearance is therefore influenced by the material, texture, depth and lighting.
Fine details or very small lettering may need to be simplified.
Digital artwork can reproduce more detail — but the source still matters
Digital Printing, Digital Transfer and other suitable full-colour processes can reproduce considerably more detail than some traditional spot-colour methods.
That doesn't mean a poor-quality source image automatically becomes high quality.
Printing technology cannot recreate detail that isn't present in the original artwork.
Starting with good artwork still matters.
Product & branding variations
Promotional merchandise is produced using many different materials, manufacturing processes and decoration techniques.
Reasonable variations may occur between samples, production runs and individual products. These can include minor differences in:
- colour
- texture
- finish
- dimensions
- branding position
- branding size
- appearance of the finished decoration
A minor production variation does not necessarily mean the product or branding is faulty.
If you believe the finished merchandise materially differs from the approved artwork or confirmed specification, contact Ecosource so we can assess it.
Artwork ownership
By supplying artwork to Ecosource, you confirm that you have the necessary rights or permission to reproduce that artwork on the products ordered.
This includes logos, trademarks, photographs, illustrations, designs and other intellectual property supplied by you or on your behalf.
Ecosource may rely on your authority to reproduce the supplied artwork for the purpose of fulfilling your order.
What happens to my artwork?
Artwork supplied to Ecosource may be stored with your customer or order records to help process current and future orders.
Artwork will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy where it contains personal information.
We do not acquire ownership of your supplied logo or artwork simply because you send it to us for production.
Need help with your artwork?
Don't know your vector from your raster? That's okay.
Send us what you have. We'll help determine whether the artwork is suitable for your selected product and branding method and let you know if anything else is required.