Common Artwork Questions

Please read this page before you send us artwork!!

1. Software Compatibility
2. What Is A Bitmap
3. What Is Vector Artwork
4. Can You Scan Printed Logos
5. Can You Scan Color Photographs
6. Can You Modify Existing Logos
7. Can You Scan Xerox Copies or Faxes
8. Can You Use My Old T-Shirt
9. We Need Children And Adult Sizes Printed
10. We Need Light And Dark Shirts Printed The Same
11. Can I email my artwork
12. Can I put my artwork on diskette or CD
13. Ask The Art Department a Question

Answers

Question #1
We Utilize Corel Draw X3, Corel Photo X3, Power Point v10, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop v6
We run on an IBM platform.
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  Question #2
A bitmap is a pixel based method of displaying a picture.
A bitmap is normally printed on a white background, white t-shirt.
Bitmaps are printed using CMYK Transparent Inks.
Bitmaps must be created at 200 DPI at the same size you wish to print.
They cannot be resized larger or smaller without distortion We do not print bitmaps on dark fabrics.
Importing a bitmap into a vector program does not change it to vectors.
Scanning a picture or artwork creates a bitmap, not vector images.
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  Question #3
Vector drawing programs, like Corel Draw create mathematical
Representations of a drawing. The drawing can easily be enlarged,
Reduced, Rotated, Colored or Modified.
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  Question #4
Images that have been printed on paper are half-toned by the printer.
Which means that the design was broken into dots to allow offset printing.
These dots are normally at 110 Dots Per Inch, we work at 200 to 300 DPI.
If we scan that image and have to enlarge it, the dots become very visible.
There is no way to remove the dots, except to redraw the image or logo.
This is very difficult and we often have to guess about fine details.
Colors that are close in shade to one another are often lost by scanners.
Most printed designs only serve as a reference for our artist to redraw the design.
Cards, Envelopes and Stationary are examples of poor artwork to supply us.
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  Question #5
Yes we can scan a color photograph.
We prefer a photograph as large as possible 8x10 works well.
We can print the photograph using CMYK transparent ink on white very nicely.
We can also print the photograph in one dark color of ink, like black, on light color shirts, there will be only a little distortion.
We will not reverse the image to print white ink on a dark shirt.
We will NOT prink CMYK on a white underbase,on a dark shirt, you lose too much detail, and the ink deposit will be too thick.
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  Question #6
If we created the artwork, we keep it on file.
We can modify your design. Some modifications are easier than others.
The cost to modify is based on how many colors of the design require modification and the difficulty.
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  Question #7
Copy machine images are usually very fuzzy and distorted.
The image is also not really true black on true white.
Because the image is usually marginal, we only use it as a sample to help us redraw the design.
Faxes are very bad quality and seldom used except as ideas to help us redraw the design.
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  Question #8
An old T-shirt will help us visualize the concept.
It is not a substitute for artwork. We must still draw the design.
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  Question #9
Adult t-shirt artwork is normally 13"x13" or 13"x14" in size.
Childrens artwork is normally 9"x9" in size to allow the printing Youth Smalls.
Baby t-shirt artwork is normally 6"x6" in size.
We can normally put adult size artwork on childrens shirts down to size Youth Medium(10/12).
There is no way to print an adult size design on Youth Small(6/8) or smaller shirt.
If you must have a Youth Small we must create a second set of color seperations and screens.
The alternative is to print 9"x9" artwork on Adult Sizes as well as the Childrens Sizes.
Monogram prints are normally 4"x4" and will fit on all sizes of shirts.
Cap prints are not the same as monogram prints. Cap size prints are 2.5"x4".
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  Question #10
Printing white on a black shirt and black on a white shirt is sometimes a problem.
If the design contains any living object it must have a color reversal done
If the design is text only, it is not a problem
Some designs do not reverse very well, because of their intricacy
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  Question #11
Yes you can email your artwork, in a low resolution format.
If you attempt to send a file that is larger than 2mb, we suggest you send us a CD
Large file attachments are better sent by FTP.
ISP email servers will delete your attachment if it is too large to handle.
We request a .cdr .cpt .eps(placeable) .ps .ai .psd and .pdf files.
We can accept .jpg .gif .wmf .psd .bmp .eps bitmap file formats.
We do not accept .dat .doc or any other document word processor files.
You must include the font files with the artwork in .ttf .fon format or convert the lettering to curves or we will not know the style of lettering.
There are thousands of fonts available and we do not have every one of them and we only use MS Word and MS Works Word Processor Programs.
You can send your order in the specified word processor formats.
Do NOT send us spreadsheets or databases. They Will Be DELETED, automatically
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  Question #12
Yes we accept artwork on diskette or USB jump drives in IBM format.
Yes we accept artwork on a cd, remember to convert it to where it can be read on any CD reader by closing the CD for any further updates.
Remember to Include all Fonts or Convert Fonts to Curves before sending it.
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  Question #13
For any question not answered here please email us the question.
We will reply as soon as possible with the answer to your question.
E-Mail Art Dept
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