Getting the best from your designs

When it comes to printing your designs, it is a good idea to know a few key things before you start.

LPS can print using almost any image provided, even something doodled straight onto paper! However, the final printed result will only be as good as the original

While it helps us to know your vectors from your gifs it is only really essential to know that a low-resolution image (easily identified by its small file size) will not print well. For example, a small image copied from a website and supplied to us as artwork for printing large on the front of a t-shirt is going to provide unacceptable results and unhappy customers.

What format should you supply artwork in?

Your artwork can be supplied in a number of formats but for the best results artwork should be supplied in vector format (EPS, AI, CDR) or layered photoshop files (PSD). In all instances please make sure any typefaces are converted to "outlines", (also known as paths) or "rasterized" if using photoshop. This will avoid special typefaces corrupting when the artwork is received at this end. Compressed file types such as JPEG, GIF or PNG are not ideal and are only really suitable if the image is of hi-resolution. If you do not have your artwork in the recommended formats do not worry... we can usually help.

Text & Typography:

If you are working in a vector based design programme such as illustrator you should convert any fonts in your designs to paths (sometimes referred to as outlines), before you send us the artwork file. This will prevent fonts not held on our systems from defaulting to to a standard typeface.

Multicolour Artwork

If your design has more than one colour and is to be screenprinted it must undergo a process known as separation. Each colour in your design must be carried on a separate screen, through which the desired ink colour is applied to the garment. More often than not, designs are simple enough to separate without additional charge. However, complicated designs such as photographic images require a great deal of attention and are subject to additional charge. Unless you are familiar with the separation process we would not recommend attempting this yourself.

Pantone Colours

Pantone (PMS) colours are required most commonly for corporate logos. These colours have a numerical reference that denotes the very specific colours that make up the logo.
You should always supply these pantone reference numbers in all cases where the company or clients you represent have specific corporate colours.

If you are unsure about anything you have just read please contact us for assistance or
email your design to us for advice.

Design Templates to download.

To assist you in visualising your designs please check out the Design Templates page.