The No-Stress Artwork Prep Guide for Perfect Prints
Artwork Prep β’ No-Stress
Perfect Prints, Zero Drama
The exact file specs Illest Print Co. loves for stickers, posters, and teesβso your art flies through production. Winnipeg made π¨π¦
Resolution300 DPI @ size
VectorAI / PDF / SVG
RasterPNG / TIFF
TL;DR
Vectors for logos/line art; transparent PNG/TIFF for rasters. 300 DPI at final size. β β³ bleed for stickers/posters with edges. RGB okay (DTF/stickers); CMYK preferred for posters. Keep tiny lines < 1.5Β mm out.
Want us to prep it? Attach your art and say βPre-flight checkβ β weβll sort bleed, cut line, and cleanup.
1) Pick the right file type
-
β
Vector β AI, PDF, SVG (best for logos/text; infinite sharpness)
-
β
Raster β PNG (transparent), TIFF/PSD (flattened ok) for photos/illustrations
-
β
Low-res JPGs / screenshots (compression + fuzzy edges)
Fast Settings
Stickers: 300 DPI β’ +β
β³ bleed β’ Cut path ok
Posters: 300 DPI β’ CMYK β’ +β
β³ bleed (if full-bleed)
Tees: Transparent PNG β’ 300 DPI β’ 10β12β³ wide (front)2) Size & resolution that actually prints sharp
Build at the size you want printed, then set resolution to 300 DPI.
Stickers
-
β
3β³ Γ 3β³ (or your size) @ 300 DPI
-
β
+β β³ bleed beyond cut line
Posters
-
β
8Γ10, 11Γ14, 12Γ18, 16Γ20, etc. @ 300 DPI
-
!
Full-bleed? Add β β³ bleed all sides
T-Shirts
-
β
Left chest: ~3.5β4β³ wide
-
β
Front: ~10β12β³ wide β’ Back: ~11β13β³
-
β
Transparent background
3) Color mode (RGB / CMYK / Pantone)
-
β
Stickers & DTF tees: RGB is fine (we manage conversions)
-
β
Posters: CMYK preferred for closer proof-to-print match
-
!
Brand color? Include the Pantone number if critical
4) Bleed & safe area
Bleed = extra image past the trim; safe area = keep important stuff away from edges.
-
β
Stickers: +β β³ bleed β’ Keep text β₯ 1/16β³ inside cut
-
β
Posters: +β β³ on full-bleed; keep content ΒΌβΒ½β³ inside
-
β
Tees: No bleed β just transparent background
5) Sticker cut lines
Have one? Great. If not, weβll make it.
-
β
1 pt vector path named CutContour
-
β
On its own top layer
-
!
Leave β β³ bleed beyond the path
6) Text, strokes & tiny details
-
β
Convert text to outlines (or include font files)
-
β
Avoid strokes thinner than ~1.5Β mm (can drop out)
-
β
HTV/transfer: bolder graphics weed/press cleaner
7) What we can fix for you (free or fast)
-
β
Remove backgrounds β’ add clean die-cut path
-
β
Upscale/sharpen soft art β’ expand strokes β’ outline text
-
β
Basic color cleanup & soft proof tips
8) Handy template sizes
| Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sticker | 3β³Γ3β³ @ 300 DPI | +β β³ bleed |
| Poster | 11β³Γ14β³ @ 300 DPI | CMYK β’ +β β³ if full-bleed |
| Tee (front) | 14β³Γ16β³ canvas | Art 10β12β³ wide β’ PNG |
9) Pre-flight checklist
-
β
Final size β’ 300 DPI (or vector)
-
β
Transparent bg (tees/stickers w/o bleed)
-
β
Bleed added for edge-to-edge prints
-
β
Fonts outlined β’ cut path (optional)
Printed locally in Winnipeg π¨π¦ β’ Illest Print Co.