Artwork Guidelines & Requirements

 

Artwork Guidelines for ColorFlex DTF

To get the best print quality, please upload clean, high-resolution artwork. The better your file, the better your finished transfer will look.

Preferred File Types

For best results, upload one of these file types:

Preferred:

.PDF or .PNG

Also accepted:

.AI, .EPS, .CDR, .SVG, .JPG

Best choice: Use a transparent .PNG at 300 DPI or a vector file such as .AI, .EPS, .SVG, or .PDF.

Color Mode

We accept artwork in either:

RGB or CMYK

Please note that colors may look different on screen than they do when printed. Screen brightness, monitor settings, file quality, and print materials can all affect the final result.

Pantone Colors

You may use Pantone colors in your design, but they will be automatically converted to CMYK for printing.

ColorFlex DTF will do our best to match Pantone colors as closely as possible, but exact Pantone color matching is not guaranteed.

For best results, use standard RGB or CMYK colors in your artwork.

Image Quality and Resolution

For the best print quality, your artwork should be:

Vector artwork, or 300 DPI at the final print size

Avoid low-resolution files. If the file looks blurry, pixelated, or grainy before printing, it will likely print that way too.

A small image pulled from the internet or a screenshot is usually not high enough quality for DTF printing.

Design at the Correct Size

Create your artwork at the actual size you want it printed.

For example, if you want a full-front shirt design that is 11 inches wide, your artwork should be created at 11 inches wide and 300 DPI.

Do not take a small image and stretch it larger. Enlarging low-resolution artwork will make it look blurry or pixelated.

Transparent Backgrounds

For most DTF transfers, your artwork should have a transparent background.

Please remove:

  • White boxes or unwanted backgrounds
  • Stray pixels
  • Rough edges
  • Soft or blurry edges
  • Semi-transparent areas
  • Unwanted shadows or glows

Semi-transparent pixels, fades, and soft edges may not print cleanly because DTF printing uses a white backing layer.

ColorFlex DTF may help clean up files when possible, but the best results come from clean artwork submitted from the start.

AI-Generated Artwork

AI-generated artwork can look great on screen, but it is often too small or too low-resolution for high-quality printing.

Common issues with AI artwork include:

  • Low resolution
  • Pixelation when enlarged
  • Grainy details
  • Unwanted backgrounds
  • Soft or blurry edges
  • Small details that do not print well

Before uploading AI-generated artwork, make sure it is high resolution, clean, and sized correctly for your print.

Avoid Very Fine Details

DTF transfers work best with clean, bold artwork.

Avoid using:

  • Very small text
  • Extremely thin lines
  • Tiny details
  • Fine gradients
  • Soft fades
  • Low-contrast details

Small or overly detailed artwork may not transfer cleanly, especially after washing and wearing.

Text and Fonts

If your design includes text, make sure it is easy to read at the final print size.

For vector files, convert all fonts to outlines or curves before uploading. This helps prevent missing fonts or font changes when your file is opened.

Before You Upload

Use this quick checklist before submitting your artwork:

  • File is .PDF or transparent .PNG when possible
  • Artwork is 300 DPI or vector
  • Design is sized correctly for printing
  • Background is transparent unless you want it printed
  • No stray pixels or unwanted edges
  • Text is readable
  • Fonts are outlined or converted to curves
  • No important details are too small or too thin
  • Artwork is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated

Important Reminder

ColorFlex DTF cannot fix poor-quality artwork. We will do our best to help when possible, but low-resolution, blurry, or pixelated files may still print with quality issues.

For the best results, upload clean, high-resolution artwork that is ready to print.