Supplying Artwork

The most important things you need to know about supplying artwork for DTF printing

Print-Ready Files:
We assume all artwork supplied is print-ready. Poor quality artwork will result in poor print quality, and we cannot be held responsible for this.

Remember, the quality of your transfers depends on the quality of the artwork you provide!

Resolution: 
Ensure your artwork is at least 300dpi. Increasing the resolution from 72dpi to 300dpi in Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva won’t improve quality. Low resolution may result in blurry or pixelated prints, and the white underbase may show around the edges.

Semi-Transparency:
Avoid semi-transparent or translucent pixels. DTF printing cannot handle transparent pixels, which can cause uneven glue marks or other issues.

Thin Lines & Text:
Avoid extremely thin lines or text. The minimum width should be 1mm. Thin lines may not adhere properly or could wear off after washing.

 

How to Upload Your Artwork?

We offer two convenient options for uploading your artwork, ensuring a smooth and efficient ordering process:

1) Use Our Gangsheet Builder Tool:
If you have individual pieces of print-ready designs or artwork, use our gang sheet builder tool to create a print-ready gang sheet. Use "Auto Build" for easy gang sheet creation. Upload your individual artwork files, adjust the size and quantity of each, click apply and it will automatically layout all your artwork on a gang sheet. If needed you can make manual adjustments for full control. You can even save your gang sheet design to your account so you can easily order it again. This option offers fast processing, with immediate payment at checkout your order will be added to our print queue right away.

2) Place a Manual Order:
If you prefer, you can place a manual order by sending your artwork to hello@threadtraders.com.au Please include detailed instructions such as the quantities of each artwork file required. This option requires manual processing, and we will invoice you directly. Your order will be added to the print queue once payment is received and the artwork is approved.

 

What format should my artwork be in?

Your artwork should be uploaded in supported file formats: png, jpg, jpeg, webp, svg, psd, pdf, ai, eps.

Artwork should be a minimum of 300dpi (the higher the resolution, the better quality of print). If you wish to have a transparent background on your artwork, please provide it that way. All gang sheets uploaded need to be uploaded with a transparent background.

Please make sure that your artwork does not have large empty spaces around it as that is included when changing the size in the gang builder so the final image will not be the size you were hoping for.

 

What Size Should My Artwork Be?

Gangsheet:

  • Our gang sheets are 58cm wide by 1m high.
  • All images on the gang sheet should be at their final print size.
  • You can include designs of any size on the same gang sheet.
  • Make sure to leave approximately 5mm - 10mm of space between each image to allow for easy cutting.

Individual Artwork:

  • Individual designs can be any size up to 58cm wide.
  • Common sizes include 8cm x 8cm or 10cm x 10cm for pocket prints, and 28cm x 28cm for larger designs.
  • Be sure to leave a 5mm margin around each image to avoid cutting off parts of the design.


Are There Any Artwork Limitations? Can I Print Anything?

At Thread Traders, our DTF technology allows you to print almost anything—whether it’s photos, full-color images, or graphics. 

However, there are a few limitations. Metallic and fluorescent/neon colors cannot be printed, as our water-based inks do not support these effects. Additionally, all artwork should be set up in CMYK color mode to ensure accurate color reproduction.

 

Can You Resize My Artwork?

For online orders, we are unable to resize artwork on your gang sheet—everything you upload is considered print-ready.

However, if you place a manual order, we’re happy to assist with sizing your artwork but there will be a small artwork fee for this. Just specify your desired width, and we’ll scale your image proportionally, with the height adjusting automatically to maintain the correct aspect ratio.

You can resize it yourself in an image editing software, if you don’t have access to editing software like Photoshop, we recommend Photopea as it is a free online app similar to Photoshop.

 

Can I Just Increase the Resolution of My Artwork?

Resolution Changes Don’t Improve Quality: 

Simply changing the resolution (e.g., from 72 dpi to 300 dpi) in editing software does not enhance the image quality.

Image Quality Remains the Same:

The quality of the artwork does not improve with a higher resolution setting; it remains as good as the original image.

Poor Quality Effects:

If the artwork is of low quality or contains semi-transparent/translucent pixels, it will still appear blurry or pixelated when printed. Additionally, the white underbase may become visible around the edges.



Can I Use Copyrighted Artwork?

No, you cannot use copyrighted artwork. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the rights to use any images you provide. This includes company logos and brand materials. Ensure you have the proper authorization before submitting any such content.

Please note:

  • We are not able to verify every piece of artwork for copyright issues.
  • By using our printing service, you accept full responsibility for any copyright infringement disputes.
  • Thread Traders will bear no liability for the use of copyrighted images provided by you.



Will My Colours Print Correctly?
Our DTF printers use a CMYK colour model, whereas your computer screen and software (like Photoshop) use RGB. Since every computer screen displays colours differently, actual print colours may vary slightly from what you see on screen.

We offer a colour swatch which includes a broad range of colours for accurate matching. Purchase your Colour Chart here.