Artwork Guide

Preparing your artwork for DTF printing

Great prints start with great files. Here’s everything you need to know before sending us your design — it applies equally to press-ready transfers and to garments we print for you.

File format

PNG with transparent background Best choice. The background stays transparent in print. No artwork fee.
AI / EPS / PDF / SVG Vector formats. Scale freely without quality loss. No artwork fee.
PSD / TIF Accepted. Make sure the background is transparent.
JPG / JPEG / WEBP / screenshots Accepted, but they carry a white background and no transparency, so they usually need rebuilding. An artwork fee may apply — we always quote before we start and you can approve or decline.
No file at all Text-only setups (a business name, a slogan, names and numbers) we do free of charge. Just describe it in the order notes.

Resolution

  • 300 DPI at your final print size. This is the print industry standard.
  • 200 DPI will work but may look slightly soft on detailed designs.
  • Below 150 DPI we’ll warn you before printing, or decline the file.

Tip: if your design is 10 × 10 cm at print size, the file should be at least 1180 × 1180 pixels (10 cm at 300 DPI). Pixel dimensions are not print size — a 4000 px logo can still be a 5 cm print, and a 300 px logo can never be a 30 cm one.

Colour mode

RGB or CMYK both work — our RIP handles the conversion. If colour accuracy is critical (brand colours, Pantone matches), tell us in the order notes and we’ll match as closely as DTF allows.

Background

A transparent background is essential for any design that isn’t a rectangle.

If your file has a white background but you only want the logo printed, we have to cut the background out first. For a clean, simple shape that’s quick and we won’t charge for it. For photos, soft edges or complex artwork it’s real work — we’ll quote you first and you can approve or decline.

Avoid these common mistakes

  • Semi-transparent edges or shadows — DTF doesn’t print semi-transparent pixels well. Pixels at 20–80% opacity often look fuzzy. Use hard edges or full-opacity drop shadows.
  • Lines or text under 0.5 mm thick — too thin to print cleanly. Keep text at least 8 pt at final size.
  • RGB neon colours — pure RGB neons shift slightly in print. Use Pantone-matched colours if brand precision matters.
  • Designs touching the edge — leave at least 2 mm clear inside your chosen size.

Sizing your design

The size you enter on the transfer page is the maximum box. Your design sits within it — we print your artwork at its actual proportions, we don’t stretch it to fill the box.

Our printer takes a maximum short side of 28 cm and a long side up to 100 cm.

Common reference sizes:

  • Left or right chest logo: 8–10 cm wide
  • Pocket-sized logo: 5 × 5 cm
  • Standard front print: 21 × 15 cm
  • Full chest: 28 × 21 cm (about A4)
  • Full front or full back: up to 28 × 40 cm

Print positions on garments we print

On custom apparel the position sizes are fixed:

  • Left or right chest — up to 10 × 10 cm
  • Sleeves and upper back — up to 8 × 15 cm
  • Full front or full back — up to 40 × 28 cm

Kids sizes are smaller, and the product page lists the reduced sizes for each. Work shirts with a chest pocket take a smaller chest print (about 9 × 7 cm) so the logo clears the pocket. Hi vis garments are printed on the fluoro panel only, so full front and lower back aren’t offered on those styles.

Need help with your file?

Email hello@dtfmotion.com.au with your design and a quick description of what you’re trying to do. We check every file before printing, free, and tell you if something won’t work.