Artwork & Branding
Better artwork. Better branding. Better results.
Everything you need to prepare artwork for your branded merchandise — from file types and vector artwork to colours, fonts and print-ready files.
What files should I send?
The quality and format of your artwork can make a big difference to the finished branding. Wherever possible, send us the original artwork files rather than artwork copied from a website, email signature or social media.
Vector Artwork
AI · EPS · SVG · Vector PDF
- Scales without losing quality
- Crisp edges and clean detail
- Ideal for logos and branding
- Preferred wherever possible
High-Resolution Artwork
PNG · TIFF · PSD
- Suitable for some digital branding methods
- Aim for 300 dpi at final branding size
- Transparent backgrounds are useful where appropriate
- Best suited to high-quality source artwork
JPEG / JPG
- Made from pixels rather than vector paths
- Can become blurry or pixelated when enlarged
- Often unsuitable for production logos
- May need to be recreated as vector artwork
Screenshots & Office Files
Screenshots · Word · PowerPoint · Web Images
- Usually not suitable as production artwork
- Web images are often low resolution
- Screenshots lose quality when enlarged
- Please supply the original artwork wherever possible
Only have a JPEG? Don't worry — send us the best artwork you have and we'll let you know whether it is suitable for your chosen branding method.
Why won't my JPEG work?
A logo can look perfectly fine on your screen but still be unsuitable for professional branding. The difference comes down to how the artwork is built.
Vector
Vector Artwork
Made from paths, not pixels.
Vector artwork can be enlarged or reduced without losing quality, which helps produce clean, sharp branding.
JPEG
JPEG Artwork
Made from pixels.
When a small JPEG is enlarged, the pixels are enlarged too. This can result in blurry, soft or jagged edges in the artwork.
Looks good on screen ≠ print ready.
Not sure if your PDF is vector?
A PDF isn't automatically vector artwork. A JPEG or other pixel-based image can simply be saved inside a PDF.
Try the Zoom Test
- Step 1
Open your artwork
Open the PDF or artwork file on your computer.
- Step 2
Zoom in to 800–1000%
Look closely at the edges of your logo or lettering.
- Step 3
Check the result
Still sharp and clean? Your artwork may be vector.
Becoming blocky or blurry? Your artwork is likely raster/pixel based.
Saving a JPEG inside a PDF does not turn it into vector artwork.
Before you send your artwork
Supply vector artwork where possible
AI, EPS, SVG or a genuine vector PDF is preferred for logos and many branding methods.
Convert fonts to outlines
Outlining fonts helps prevent typefaces from changing if the original font isn't available during artwork preparation.
Include your Pantone/PMS colours
If specific brand colours are important, provide the relevant Pantone/PMS references with your artwork.
Send the original artwork
Avoid downloading your logo from your website, email signature or social media where possible.
Don't enlarge a low-resolution image
Increasing the physical dimensions of a small JPEG doesn't recreate the image detail that was never there.
Tell us when colour matching matters
Different branding processes reproduce colour differently, so let us know when brand colour matching is important.
Different branding methods need different artwork
The best artwork format can depend on how your product is being branded.
Screen Printing
Best with clean vector artwork and clearly defined colours.
Learn about Screen PrintingPad Printing
Vector artwork is preferred, particularly for smaller logos, text and detailed branding areas.
Learn about Pad PrintingLaser Engraving
Clean vector logos, lettering and line artwork generally produce the best results.
Learn about Laser EngravingEmbroidery
Artwork is converted into stitch instructions before production, and very fine details may need to be simplified.
Learn about EmbroideryDigital Printing
Suitable for detailed and full-colour artwork. High-resolution raster artwork may also be appropriate where supported.
Learn about Digital PrintingDigital Transfer
Well suited to detailed, multi-colour artwork on compatible products. High-quality source artwork is important.
Learn about Digital TransferWant to explore all our branding methods?
Compare the different decoration methods, understand their benefits and find the right option for your product and artwork.
Don't have the right artwork file?
That's okay. Send us the best artwork you have and we'll review it. We'll let you know whether it's suitable for your chosen branding method or whether a higher-quality or vector file is required.
Not sure which branding method will work best? We can help with that too.