Screen Printing Art Requirements
This is a very lengthy section, but very important to get the most out of your artwork so please read on. Acceptable “camera ready” screen printing artwork formats that generally do not incur additional art preparation fees would include:
- Adobe Illustrator files as .ai in CS2 or older version, with fonts converted to outlines.
- Native .eps vector files, with fonts converted to outlines. Native files are created and saved in a vector art program like Corel or Illustrator. Bitmap images that are imported into graphics programs and “saved as” an .eps file are not true .eps files.
- PDF files, fonts must be in outline format.
- .psd files prepared in Photoshop CS2 or earlier version are usable if the resolution is 200 to 300 dpi at final print size, with fonts rasterized, and the art in layers. Please do not include empty layers. Complex art files may be huge and should be sent on a CD if larger than 20mb.
- Other usable formats; .tif, jpg, or even .png & .gif files if they are 200 to 300dpi at the final printed size. The native file resolution is critical. Images downloaded off a web are 72dpi or less and will require complete redrawing to be screen printable.
- Unless a Publisher file is exported as a .pdf or .jpg we do not use it.
Word .doc Files Are Not Camera Ready Art?
Word and Excel files are useful for listing names, sizes, sponsors, etc. Please list in this order; size (youth or adult), then the number (if any) and then the name. Any information that will not be printed should be removed.
I Have A Pencil Drawing…Can I Present This To You For Art?
Ok, so what if you have a piece of high quality art, a good idea, or even a stick man drawing that isn’t in one of the above formats? Bring it in… our art department has set up jobs from existing printed t-shirts, plaques, photos, tattoos and even postage stamps, yes postage stamps. We can conceive almost any type of art. Just call us to discuss options for your printing needs. We do reserve the right to refuse service due to content without explanation.
We cannot reproduce or print any copyrighted image without written permission from the legal copyright holder. It is not legal to just change an existing image a little bit. Federal copyright law makes no such allowance. For national corporations and franchises proper legal written permission typically can only be issued from the head corporate office or legal department.
Original art from customers brought or mailed in will be returned with an order, or mailed at the customers expense. While every precaution is taken to protect art sent or brought in to us, we can accept no responsibility for claims of damage to customers art.
Art that is not set up to the specifications listed above will incur a $45 hourly preparation fee with a minimum charge of $15.00. Your art is painstakingly redesigned for in house use to give you the best product possible. No art services are provided without financial commitment. All art files, digital renderings, films, screens, etc. are the sole property of Maine Printing & Embroidery, and all rights are reserved under copyright law.
File Format Summary
We prefer the industry standard .EPS file but will accept, PDF, AI, PSD, COREL DRAW, JPG, PNG and TIFF.
Note
Please make sure all file have their fonts converted to outlines before saving and sending. When sending pixel art ( png, jpg, tiff, psd) the higher the resolution the better. 300 dpi and higher is optimal.