Why delivery is often the biggest bottleneck (and how to solve it)

In textile printing, technology is rarely the real problem. The biggest delays usually occur before one is pressed: files that are not printable, logos as screenshots, wrong backgrounds, unclear colors and designs that look okay on screen but suddenly become ragged on fabric.

This guide is made for creative agencies, graphic designers, small print companies and (micro) apparel brands that want to move quickly. You'll learn:

• which formats (AI/PDF/PNG/JPG) make sense when,
• how to deliver resolution and dimensions correctly (without DPI misunderstandings),
• how to properly manage transparency and backgrounds,
• what a white carpet pad means in a textile context (and why it makes or breaks your colors).

The goal: fewer emails back-and-forth, less "re-work," and a first proof that's right the first time.

The 3 most common file formats (and when to use/don't use them)

1) AI/EPS/PDF (vector).

Vector is best for logos, text and tight shapes.

• Advantage: scalable with no loss of quality.
• Ideal for: flex foil, cutter, logos on chest/back.
• Pitfall: messy vectors (too many nodes) can cause cutting problems.

2) PNG (raster with transparency).

PNG is often the standard for full color artwork with transparent background.

• Ideal for: DTF prints with complex colors.
• Pitfall: delivered too small and then scaled up.

3) JPG (raster without transparency)

JPG can be fine for photos, but less so for logos.

• Ideal for: photographic prints (if high quality).
• Pitfall: compression artifacts around edges, no transparency.

Vector vs raster: what do you choose when?

• Logo: vector, always if possible.
• Photo: raster with sufficient resolution.
• Small text: vector, because raster text gets frayed quickly.

Resolution and dimensions (the DPI trap)

DPI in itself is not magic; the real question is: how many pixels do you have at the desired size?

• Preferably deliver at (or above) the final size.
• Avoid an 800px wide logo that needs to be 30 cm wide.

Practical rule: if you look at the design at 100% and it's already soft or pixelated, it won't get better on fabric.

Transparency, color expectancy and the 'white undercoat' explained

Transparency and background

• Supply PNGs with real transparency.
• Avoid a white background that "looks" like transparency: on dark textiles you will get a white box.

Color expectations on textiles

Textiles are not paper. The fabric color affects the result.

• On dark textiles, you often need a white carpet pad (in certain workflows) to keep colors bright.
• RGB on screen will never be 1-to-1 on fabric. Therefore, provide references: a Pantone, a sample photo, or a "may be slightly warmer/cooler" instruction.

White underlayment: what is it and why is it important?

Think of the white undercoat as a primer layer that "lights up" color on dark or colored fabrics.

• Without undercoat, colors can become dull or the fabric color "leaks through.
• With underlayment, coverage improves, but the feel may change slightly.

For DTF, this concept is often baked into the print construction. For other techniques, it is sometimes not available or requires a different approach.

Delivery checklist (copy/paste).

Use this as a default in your email or order form:

• File type: AI/PDF (vector) or PNG (transparent)
• Dimensions in cm + position (chest/back/sleeve)
• Transparency: yes/no (and what should be transparent)
• Color info: Pantone or reference + tolerance
• Extra: do you want white carpet pad / maximum coverage on dark fabric?

Standardizing this will save the most time in your whole production process.

FAQ: file submission for textile printing