Artwork Guidelines
Find out how to prepare artwork for embroidery, full-colour DTF printing and single-colour vinyl printing.
1. Which artwork files can I upload?
For embroidery, send a clear, acceptable-quality logo image in any major image format, such as JPG/JPEG, PNG, SVG, AI or EPS. Photographs and photorealistic pictures are not suitable for embroidery. For full-colour DTF printing (maximum 8 × 8 inches), we need a high-resolution PNG image, preferably with a transparent background for logos. For single-colour vinyl printing, high-quality PNG or SVG is preferred.
Best for logos
SVG, AI or EPS
Scalable artwork that keeps sharp outlines at different sizes.
Good alternative
High-resolution PNG
Ideally with a transparent background and no blurry edges.
Also accepted
JPG / JPEG
Usable if the image is clear, large enough and not heavily compressed.
2. How do I know whether my logo is suitable?
Good artwork: clear lettering, crisp edges, strong contrast and no unwanted background.
Printing photographs is welcome: Sharp, high-resolution photographic images and full-colour logos can be printed using DTF. A photograph that is suitable for DTF printing is not suitable for embroidery.
Artwork that needs attention: a tiny screenshot, a blurry photo of a logo, pixelated edges or very fine details that disappear when resized.
If you only have a screenshot or a small blurry image, you can still send it to us for assessment. For printing, artwork that is too low-quality will need SVG conversion at £9 per design; we will confirm this with you before proceeding.
3. Artwork for printing: DTF and vinyl
We print full-colour logos and photographs using DTF, as well as simpler single-colour designs using vinyl. These methods need different kinds of artwork.
For photos and multi-colour logos
Upload a high-resolution PNG image that looks sharp at your chosen print size. Maximum DTF print size: 8 × 8 inches (about 20.3 × 20.3 cm). For logos, a transparent background is preferred. Full-colour images and photographs are welcome for DTF printing. If the supplied artwork is too low-quality to print properly, an SVG redraw/conversion may be needed at £9 per design. We will advise you before applying the extra charge.
Simple shapes and bold text
A single-colour logo with readable text and clean outlines. Please send a high-quality SVG or PNG wherever possible. If the artwork is too low-quality for printing, SVG conversion costs £9 per design.
Not suitable for single-colour vinyl
Photographs, gradients and multi-colour images are not suitable for single-colour cut vinyl. They can be suitable for full-colour DTF printing.
Maximum back print: 10 × 5 inches (about 25.4 × 12.7 cm). If your artwork needs to be simplified, we will let you know.
View vinyl print colours
Colour swatches are visual examples only; highlight one to view it. Final colour is chosen in the customisation process.
4. Artwork for embroidery
Embroidery turns your design into thread stitches. Please upload an acceptable-quality, clear logo image in any major image format (for example PNG, JPG/JPEG, SVG, AI or EPS). Very small writing, tiny gaps and intricate shading may not reproduce exactly as shown on a screen.
No photographic images for embroidery: We cannot reproduce photographs or photorealistic AI images as embroidery. Please provide a clean, simplified logo with clear shapes and readable lettering. If using AI to create artwork, ask specifically for a design suitable for machine embroidery.
| Embroidery option | Colour limit | Stitch allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard chest logo (up to 9 × 6 cm) | Up to 5 colours | 10,000 stitches |
| Complex chest logo (up to 9 × 6 cm) | Up to 7 colours | 13,000 stitches |
| Back logo: 7 × 5 inches | Confirm for your design | 15,000 stitches |
| Back logo: 9 × 9 inches | Confirm for your design | 21,000 stitches |
Extra stitching above your selected allowance is chargeable. Choose the relevant back-embroidery size when customising your garment.
Will my artwork look exactly the same when embroidered?
5. Names, lettering and embroidery fonts
For text-only embroidery, you can have up to four lines, with twelve characters per line including spaces, using one thread colour. The supplied text guidelines specify a maximum width of 12 cm and a text height of 1 cm; extra characters may incur a charge.
Embroidery font chart
Choose a lettering style that is easy to read, especially for smaller text.
Show 40 embroidery fonts
Printing font chart
For single-colour vinyl text, choose a font with bold, well-separated shapes.
Show 40 print fonts
6. Quick answers
Can you print a photograph on a garment?
Can you remove the background from my logo?
Do I need to know the stitch count?
What if I am unsure whether to choose print or embroidery?
Need artwork advice before ordering?
Share your logo with us and we'll help you decide how it can be embroidered or printed.
Contact ARK Workwear on WhatsApp
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