Vector File for Apparel Printing
Apparel decorators — whether screen printing, DTG, heat transfer, or embroidery — require vector artwork for best results. Convert your logo to a clean SVG or EPS before placing a print order.
About Vector file for apparel printing
Apparel printing covers several distinct production methods, each with specific file format requirements. Understanding what your decorator needs saves time and avoids reprinting costs.
Screen printing requires vector or high-resolution (300 DPI minimum) artwork. Each colour in the design is separated onto its own screen. Flat, solid-colour logos vectorize cleanly and separate perfectly. Complex gradients require process printing or must be simplified to flat colour separations.
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) accepts high-resolution PNG files with transparent backgrounds, but vector SVG files produce the cleanest edges after rasterization at print resolution. A 5000px transparent PNG is acceptable; an SVG is preferable.
Heat transfer printing works best with PNG files with transparent backgrounds for dark garment transfers. For sublimation (light garments), full-colour high-resolution artwork is needed — vector and raster both work.
Embroidery requires DST or other embroidery format files — the vector serves as the design reference that an embroidery digitizer converts to stitch paths.
For any apparel decoration: start with the Logo Vectorizer to create a clean SVG from your raster logo. The SVG becomes the master artwork from which all other format requirements are derived — PNG exports, EPS files for screen printers, and design references for embroiderers.