JPC Print & Merch · Artwork Guide

Graphics Requirements

To achieve clean, sharp and professional print results, all supplied artwork must be built to production standard. Please follow the requirements below before uploading files for branded clothing, merchandise, signage, print and promotional products.

300 DPI Minimum Final Size Artwork Vector Preferred CMYK for Print

Image Resolution 300dpi minimum at full print size

Best File Types AI, EPS, PDF or SVG for logos and graphics

Accepted Raster Files PNG, PSD, TIFF or high quality JPG

Print Setup Include bleed, safe area and transparent background where needed

General Artwork Standards

All artwork must be supplied at actual print size or larger.
All raster images must be a minimum 300dpi at the final output size.
Low resolution screenshots, web images, social media graphics and compressed files are not suitable for quality print production.
Where possible, logos, text and line artwork should be supplied as vector files for the sharpest finish.
Artwork should be clear, correctly cropped and free from pixelation, blurring, jagged edges or background artefacts.
If your design contains transparency, shadows, gradients or special effects, please send the original editable artwork as well as a print-ready PDF.

Colour & Production Setup

Print artwork should be built in CMYK wherever possible. RGB files may shift in colour when converted for print.
Where exact brand matching is required, supply Pantone references if available.
Black text should be set cleanly for print and not built from multiple colour values unless intentionally specified.
For garments, please specify the intended print method where known: embroidery, screen print, DTF, DTG, transfer vinyl or sublimation.
Fine lines, small details and tiny text should be avoided on embroidery and some transfer methods.
White ink, metallic finishes, neon colours and special substrates should be requested in advance as setup may differ.

Recommended File Types

Artwork Type	Preferred Files	Minimum Requirement	Notes
Logos	AI, EPS, PDF, SVG	Vector artwork preferred	Fonts outlined and strokes expanded where possible.
Photos	TIFF, PSD, PNG	300dpi at final size	Avoid screenshots, WhatsApp images and images downloaded from websites.
Print Ready Designs	PDF/X, AI, EPS, PSD	Bleed and safe area included	Supply editable source files if future amends may be needed.
Garment Graphics	AI, EPS, PDF, PNG	Transparent background where applicable	Separate colours and layers clearly for production use.
Large Format Graphics	PDF, AI, TIFF	Scaled proportionally with effective resolution suitable for viewing distance	For close-view banners and posters, keep supplied images at 300dpi where possible.

Important: JPG files can be accepted for some jobs, but only where they are high quality, correctly sized and free from visible compression. A high-resolution PNG or PDF is usually a better option.

Size, Bleed & Safe Area

Artwork should be created to the finished size required for production.
Add a 3mm bleed on print items such as business cards, flyers, brochures, booklets and labels unless otherwise specified.
Keep all important text and logos at least 3mm to 5mm inside the trim edge.
Do not place essential design elements too close to folds, hems, seams, eyelets, zips or garment edges.
For signage and large format, final panel size, fixing positions and finishing method should be confirmed before artwork sign-off.

Text, Logos & Transparency

Convert all fonts to outlines or supply font files where editing is required.
Embed linked images when sending AI, EPS or INDD-based artwork.
Use transparent backgrounds for logos and cut-out graphics being placed onto garments or coloured substrates.
Do not flatten artwork until final approval if future edits may be needed.
Check spelling, contact details, dates, URLs and social handles carefully before submission.

Pre-Production Checklist

Please check every file against the points below before sending artwork for production.

Artwork supplied at final size or correctly scaled in proportion.

All images are minimum 300dpi at output size.

Bleed and safe area included where the product requires trimming.

Logos supplied in vector format where available.

Fonts outlined, linked images embedded and layers labelled clearly.

Colours checked and Pantone references supplied where exact matching matters.

Transparent background supplied for artwork that must sit on garments or coloured products.

Spelling, contact details and layout approved before release to print.

Files that do not meet production standards may print soft, pixelated, distorted or with colour variation. Where artwork is supplied below spec, redraw, cleanup or studio time may be required before production can proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a logo taken from a website or social media page?

No. Website and social media images are usually low resolution and are not suitable for professional production. Please send the original vector logo or a high-resolution transparent PNG supplied by your designer or brand team.

Why does 300dpi matter?

300dpi is the standard minimum resolution for high quality print viewed at close range. It helps ensure sharp edges, smooth gradients and clear detail in photos and graphics.

What is the best file for clothing logos?

A vector file such as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG is best. For one-off graphic placement, a high-resolution PNG with a transparent background can also work, provided it is correctly sized and at least 300dpi at final output dimensions.

Do I need to include bleed on every file?

Bleed is needed on trimmed print items such as cards, flyers, brochures and labels. It is not normally required on transparent garment graphics, but positioning and clear margins still matter.