Screen Printing

What you need to know:
We often hear “I’ve never done this before, so I have no idea what I need to do”!

Rest assured that Creative Apparel will take the time to walk you through and explain the process for getting screen printed apparel. There is a lot to know, but since we know it, you don’t have to.

If you come in or call with that information, we can easily guide you though the rest.

Let Us Take Care of it for You
Creative Apparel's experienced and creative art department can take your concepts and turn them into extraordinary completed artwork. We can do simple color separations as well as complicated 4 color process separations. We are here to help you accomplish your goals and complete your project.

Unless your design is very complex, art charges are usually minimal and will have little effect on the over all price of your order.

When printing films from digital files it is important that your file be constructed properly. Screen printing requirements for textiles are very different than those for printing on paper.

Do It Yourself
The information below will help you prepare your artwork so that problems or additional costs can be avoided or minimized. These are general guidelines. Specific questions about your art can only be answered after we view your artwork or designs.

• Artwork for screen printing needs to meet certain specifications in order to reproduce well. One of the requirements is the quality of the resolution.
• Most images displayed on web sites are created at very low resolution in order to transfer or download quickly. Typically web site graphics are 72 dpi and physically small (1-3 inches wide).
• If your artwork is being created with clip art, it must be vector art. Clip art out of programs such as Microsoft Word or Print Master are not acceptable.
• We have a number of books with clip art that you are welcome to browse through to find something that fits your needs and wants.
• Images for screen printing must be at least 200 dpi.
  
• IMPRINT COLORS: When calling out colors please use Pantone Colors or custom colors (not CMYK) . Do not create separate files for each ink color. We do all color separations In-House.
• FONTS & TYPE: Please convert fonts to curves (create outlines) before sending your files.
  
• IMAGE SIZE: It is best to present your files at the size you want printed on the garment otherwise the image size must be specified.
  
• HARDCOPY: Clean crisp black & white artwork can be supplied on a maximum size of 11x17" paper. If the artwork is going to be hand drawn, it needs to be drawn on bright white paper with a black thin marker, such as a Sharpie. After the artwork is line drawn, you should make a copy of it, and apply any color to the copy (This copy will be used as a reference when creating a digital version of your art from the original line drawing).
  

How do I send my artwork?
Digital files approximately 9mb and smaller can be emailed to sales@creativeapparel.biz. Larger files and/or folders containing fonts, linked files, and additional resources can be supplied on a CD/DVD/ or a USB thumb drive. Please call our sales staff for more information.

For Photoshop, .TIF, .EPS, and .JPG files we generally require a minimum of 200 dpi, but no larger than 300 dpi at the desired size. Regardless of resolution, all artwork needs to be approved by Creative Apparel prior to ordering because not all files will require these guidelines.

We accept the following files and formats:
• .AI (Adobe Illustrator) - CS3 current version
• .EPS (Generic vector format)
• .PSD (Photoshop) - CS3 current version
• .TIF, .BMP, .JPG

We DO NOT ACCEPT:
• .PUB (MicroSoft Publisher)
• .QXD (Quark)
• .IND (Adobe InDesign)
• .GIF (Web Graphics)

We request that any original art such as sketches, drawings or paintings be handed in by the customer to ensure that the art is not destroyed from transit. Creative Apparel is not responsible for art lost and/or damaged by the post office or courier.