More people than ever are coming to us with designs already in hand, and we love seeing the creativity customers bring to the table. Between AI image generators and design tools like Canva, getting a visual idea out of your head and onto a screen has never been easier.

The tools have made design more accessible than ever, but getting a file print-ready is a different challenge entirely, and it is one we want to help you navigate before your order is placed.

With over 70 years of printing experience, we have seen many file types. We can only work with what you send us, which means the file you submit sets the ceiling for what your order can look like. The file you send is the foundation on which everything else is built, so it is worth getting it right before you place your order.

Vector vs. Raster

There are two types of digital files we work with, and understanding the difference goes a long way toward making sure your order turns out the way you envisioned.

Vector files are built out of shapes and lines that can be scaled to any size without losing quality. No matter how large the finished product is, the artwork stays sharp and clean. Vector files are the preferred file type across both of our printing processes and are required for screen printing.

Raster files are made up of tiny dots, similar to how a photograph is composed of pixels. They look great at the size they were built for, but stretching them beyond that causes the image to lose sharpness and appear blurry or pixelated. They work well for digital printing as long as they are submitted at the correct size and resolution from the start.

Screen Printing and Digital Printing Requirements

For screen printing, we require vector files. Designs should be set up at a size proportionate to the product being ordered, all colors must be converted to spot PMS colors, and all text must be converted to curves or outlines before submission. The file formats we accept for screen printing are CDR, AI, EPS, and PDF.

For digital printing, vector artwork is preferred with spot PMS colors converted to RGB or CMYK values. Raster-based files must be set up at 100% of the finished size of your product. For products up to 24×36, we require 300 DPI or higher. For larger products, 150 DPI is the minimum. The file formats we accept for digital printing are CDR, AI, PSD, EPS, PDF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF. If you have a PSD, JPG, PNG, or TIFF  file, it will need to go through our digital printing process, as those file types are not accepted for screen printing.

Designing with Canva

Canva is a widely used design tool that allows just about anyone to put together a polished-looking layout without a design background. When Canva files are set up with print in mind, the results can be very good.

PDF files exported from Canva are accepted for both our screen printing and digital printing processes. For screen printing, your design still needs to meet our vector file requirements. For digital printing, a PDF exported at the correct dimensions of your product gives us a clean and workable file to bring into production.

JPG or PNG files from Canva are in raster format and are routed to our digital printing process. A JPG or PNG that looks sharp on a phone or laptop screen does not always carry enough detail to print cleanly on a larger product. Make sure it is exported at the actual finished dimensions of your order.

Canva files can be exported as vector files, but JPG and PNG exports are raster and will not work for screen printing. To use your Canva design for screen printing, download it and save it as a PDF Print file. If screen printing is the right fit for your order, reach out to our team, and we can help you find the best path forward.

Using AI-Generated Images (Chat GPT, Claude, Gemini)

AI image generators like Chat GPT can produce detailed, visually compelling artwork in seconds, and we see customers incorporating them into their designs. In the right circumstances, they can work well for digital printing.

Virtually all AI-generated images are raster files, typically exported as low-resolution JPGs or PNG’s. While they can look impressive on screen, they are built for display purposes rather than print production. AI-generated images are also not compatible with our screen printing process, as screen printing requires vector artwork.

Before submitting an AI-generated image, zoom in on it as much as possible on your screen. If the edges and details look sharp, the file has a reasonable chance of printing well. If the image looks soft, blurry, or pixelated when zoomed in, that is what will show up on your finished product.

We Are Here to Help

For a full breakdown of our file requirements, accepted formats, and submission guidelines, visit our Artwork Guidelines page at promotesigns.com/artwork-guidelines. Call us at 888-864-4114, email sales@promotesigns.com, or request a quote at promotesigns.com. We will review what you have and make sure your order looks great.