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The Ultimate Guide to Design Files for Digital Printing, Screen Printing, and Embroidery

  • Writer: Nate
    Nate
  • Feb 16
  • 3 min read

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Perfect Prints Every Time

When it comes to custom apparel and merchandise, uploading the right design files is essential to achieving a high-quality result. At Loop and Letter, we specialize in digital printing, screen printing, and embroidery, and we know that even the most creative designs can fall flat without the proper file preparation. To help you get the best results, we’ve put together this guide on the ideal file types for each service and how our graphic design and digitizing services can optimize your designs for perfect production.



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1. Best Design Files for Digital Printing (DTG – Direct to Garment)

Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing offers vibrant, detailed results, especially for designs with multiple colors or photographic detail. However, to get those crisp prints, you’ll need to start with the right file format.


Recommended File Types:

  • PNG (with Transparent Background) – Ideal for detailed designs and full-color prints.

  • AI (Adobe Illustrator) or EPS – Preferred for vector graphics.

  • PSD (Photoshop) – Make sure it’s high resolution (300 DPI) with a transparent background.


Pro Tips for Digital Printing:

  • Ensure your artwork is at least 300 DPI at the final print size.

  • Avoid designs with thin lines or small text—these can get lost in the printing process.

  • Convert text to outlines if submitting vector files to prevent font mismatches.

At Loop and Letter, we offer graphic design services to help you clean up or adjust your files for optimal DTG printing. Whether you’re fixing a low-resolution image or adding transparency to a background, we’ve got you covered.


2. Best Design Files for Screen Printing

Screen printing is a versatile and durable method for custom apparel, perfect for simple designs with fewer colors. File preparation is key to ensuring the cleanest and most accurate prints.


Recommended File Types:

  • Vector Files (AI, EPS, PDF) – These are essential for color separation and scaling without loss of quality.

  • High-Resolution PNG (300 DPI) – For raster images with minimal color variation.


Pro Tips for Screen Printing:

  • Use vector files whenever possible for the sharpest results.

  • Keep your design to 3-4 colors for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

  • Avoid gradients and intricate shading—screen printing works best with solid colors.

Not sure if your file is ready for screen printing? Our graphic design team can help prepare your files, ensuring proper color separation and alignment for a flawless print job.


3. Best Design Files for Embroidery

Embroidery is an entirely different beast compared to printing. It requires specialized DST files, which translate your artwork into stitch patterns that embroidery machines can read. These files determine the stitch type, direction, and density—critical details for ensuring a clean and professional look.


Recommended File Types for Embroidery:

  • DST (Embroidery Format) – The industry standard for most embroidery machines.

  • Vector Files (AI, EPS, PDF) – Great starting files for converting to DST.

  • High-Resolution JPEG or PNG – Acceptable for simpler designs, but will require digitizing.


Pro Tips for Embroidery:

  • Simplify your design—avoid small text, intricate details, or gradients.

  • Stick to 1-4 colors for a polished look.

  • Use bold, clean lines that translate well into stitches.

Creating a DST file from your artwork is a process called digitizing, and it’s where many people run into trouble. At Loop and Letter, we offer expert digitizing services to convert your design into a stitch-perfect DST file. We’ll work with you to ensure your embroidery design looks great on any garment.


How Loop and Letter Can Help You Succeed

At Loop and Letter, we do more than just print and embroider. We’re your creative partner, offering a full suite of services to help you bring your vision to life:

  • Graphic Design Services – We’ll refine and optimize your artwork for any printing method, ensuring flawless results every time.

  • Digitizing Services – Our in-house digitizing experts will convert your logo or design into the perfect embroidery file, saving you time and frustration.

  • Online Design Studio – Upload your artwork, create mockups, and place your order—all from the comfort of your home.

Whether you’re creating custom merch for your brand, outfitting your team, or launching a new clothing line, Loop and Letter has everything you need to make it happen.

Ready to get started? Contact us today, and let’s turn your design into reality!

 
 
 

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