Artwork guidelines for excellent results in printing, embroidery, screen printing, direct to film (DTF) & engraving

Want the Best Results?

With over 30 years of experience in both graphic design and marketing strategy, Hats Off T-Shirts & Engraving brings a unique blend of creativity and business insight to every project. From high-tech industries to local small businesses, we’ve helped brands not only look great—but grow with purpose.

We don’t just design images—we take the time to understand your business, your goals, and your audience. Then we build a strategic visual and promotional plan to help you stand out and succeed. Contact us today and lets discuss your strategy for success.

Already have a brand, strategy and design ready to go?

Provide high-quality, original files when possible. If your logo or design needs cleanup, our art team will redraw it for production at a small one time setup fee. You’ll receive proof for approval before we proceed. We will keep your artwork on file and ready for any screen printing, embroidery, or engraving orders. Although there are often changes that need to be made to the artwork for each process we only charge the one time charge to vector your image.

Why We Redraw Your Image to Vector

We redraw images to vector format to ensure sharp, scalable, and print-ready artwork for screen printing, embroidery, and engraving. Unlike pixel-based images, vector files retain crisp lines and clean edges at any size—resulting in professional, high-quality results on every item. This process eliminates blurry or distorted prints and ensures your design looks great, whether it’s on a t-shirt, hat, or plaque.

This means converting your image (JPG, PNG, etc.) into a clean, scalable file like CorelDraw, AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF.

Vector Artwork Benefits:

• Scales perfectly without losing quality (no pixelation).

• Crisp, clean lines for detailed production.

• Easily separates colors for screen printing and sublimation.

• Digitization-ready for embroidery stitch files.

• Precision paths for laser cutting and engraving.

• Not sure what vector is? Please check out our vector versus raster one page description.

Important Artwork Guidelines

Line Thickness

• Screen Printing: Minimum line thickness is 0.5 pt (approx. 0.007 inches).

• Laser Engraving: Lines must be at least 0.001 inches for clear results.

Text Size

• For visibility and clarity, all lettering should be at least 1/4 inch tall (~18 pt font).

Embroidery-Specific Info / Hat Embroidery Size Limits

• Max height on front of a structured hat: 2.25 inches

• Absolute max (if space allows): 2.5 inches

• Designs may need to be adjusted to fit properly on smaller hat crowns.

Digitizing for Embroidery

Digitizing turns your vector art into a stitch file. Different materials require different techniques:

• Caps, beanies, t-shirts, sweatshirts — each needs specific:

• Stitch density

• Underlay stitching

• Compensation for stretch or thickness

This ensures your design looks sharp and holds up over time, regardless of where it’s stitched.

Accepted File Formats

For best results, please submit vector artwork files in one of the following formats:

• .CDR (CorelDraw) - preferred

• AI (Adobe Illustrator)

• .EPS

• .SVG

• .PDF (vector-based only)

We also accept high-resolution raster files for digital printing and some engraving projects. When providing these files please remove or provide with transparent background:

• .PSD

• .TIFF

• .PNG (300 DPI minimum)

• .JPG (300 DPI minimum)

Resolution Requirements

• Screen printing, digital printing, and engraving: 300 DPI at actual print size

• Embroidery: Clean artwork with clear edges. Embroidery is a unique process where each individual stitch is programmed to recreate your design with thread. This process, called digitizing, is not automatic—it’s a skilled art form that requires careful attention to detail, texture, and stitch direction. Unlike printing, embroidery involves translating your logo or image into a format that machines can sew—one stitch at a time. Because of this, some designs may need adjustments to achieve the best results.

Low-resolution images pulled from websites or screenshots may result in poor print quality and additional setup fees.

Color Matching

Please provide Pantone (PMS) color codes when color accuracy is critical. We’ll do our best to match colors across various print methods, but slight variations may occur due to fabric types and substrates.

Text and Fonts

• Convert all text to outlines/curves before sending files. To do this in Corel simply select the text, select object from top tool bar, select convert to curves.

• If submitting editable files, please include the names for all fonts used

Design Size and Placement

Let us know your preferred print size and placement (e.g., left chest, full front, back, sleeve, etc.)

Need Help with Your Artwork?

No print-ready file? No problem. Our in-house design team can help redraw, convert, or clean up your artwork for a small fee. We also offer full graphic design services for logos, event graphics, team wear, and more. Please contact us - we’ll work with you to develop artwork that’s not only visually strong but also production-ready—saving you time, money, and hassle down the road. From business branding to event graphics, we’re here to bring your vision to life.

Working with your own graphic designer? Read This First.

If you’re having a graphic designer create artwork or a logo for you, make sure you receive the vector file (such as .AI, .EPS, or .SVG) along with the original editable version of the design. Not all graphics are created in vector format—files like JPGs or PNGs may look fine on screen but often won’t scale properly for printing, embroidery, or signage.

Additionally, graphic designers are skilled at creating visually appealing logos, layouts, and branding elements. They focus on aesthetics—making sure your design looks polished, professional, and on-brand.

However, not all graphic designers are trained in marketing strategy. They may not always account for how designs will be used across different platforms—like print ads, digital campaigns, social media, apparel, hats, uniforms, or promotional products. Without that insight, you might end up with a great-looking design that isn’t optimized for distribution, audience targeting, or campaign effectiveness.

It’s essential to have the right file types on hand so you can easily provide your logo or artwork for advertising, local printing, sponsorships, promotional items, and other marketing opportunities—without delays or extra design fees.

When creating a logo for your business, team, or organization, always request scalable, high-resolution files. This ensures your brand looks sharp and professional across all formats and platforms.