If you have any questions that are not answered here please feel free to contact us.
Q: INTRO TO DIGITAL ART:
A: Digital artwork generally falls into two categories: vector and raster. Both methods have their benefits and limitations.
Raster programs are often called “paint” programs. Adobe photoshop is the industry standard for raster graphics. The graphics created in these programs are dependant on an images resolution. Resolution is the number of tiny squares of color (pixels) that when viewed from a distance optically mix and create a photo realistic image. The higher the resolution of an image, the higher the quality. Resolution is measured in “dpi” or dots per inch. A typical graphic from the internet has a resolution of 72 dpi, while a graphic for printing has a resolution of 300 dpi. This drastic difference in image quality makes it very difficult to produce quality prints from internet graphics, unless the image is over twice the physical size that you would like it to be printed on your shirt. In addition raster images can not be enlarged without a loss in image quality. For example when a 5”x5” 100 dpi image is enlarged to 10”x10” the resolution is actually reduced to 50 dpi. Photoshop will allow users to increase the resolution of an image, but it is simply “guessing” where the new pixels will go and does not significantly improve image quality. Raster artwork for screen printing should be scanned or digitally created at final size with a minimum resolution of 150 dpi for images that are entirely photographic, and 300 dpi for images that have sharp lines and graphic elements such as text. Raster artwork supplied at lower resolutions will not generally not allow us to make you a good t-shirt, and will most likely have to be re-created by our art department, resulting in higher cost and longer overall production times. If you are supplying a photoshop file please be sure to build the image in several layers so that we can isolate it from the background. Photoshop is great for working with photographs, hand drawn images, and digitally airbrushed graphics, but it is often misused when designing t-shirts. All designs that have large areas of solid colors and text should probably be created in a vector program.
Vector programs are often called “draw” programs. Adobe illustrator is the industry standard for vector graphics. Graphics created in these programs are based on mathematical equations. They have no reliance on resolution or dpi. For example to draw a square in a vector program you only need four mathematical points of reference, somewhat like a high tech connect the dots. This allows vector graphics to be scalable to any size without a loss in image quality. This also allows vector files to be significantly smaller than raster files and much easier to transfer through email. Vector programs are usually used to create logos and other text based designs. Vector graphics also allow for the use of spot ink colors, the most common printing technique for t-shirts.
Spot color is when actual ink colors are mixed then printed on to the t-shirt. If a design is red and black, our press is loaded with red and black inks. Spot color printing will allow accurate color matching and bright bold graphics, but is limited in producing a broad spectrum of color. This is in comparison to process printing where cyan, yellow, magenta, and black inks are printed together to mix and create the other colors of the design. (similar to how your inkjet printer works) Process printing, is only used to create photographic images or images that have more than 9 spot colors. When working in Adobe Illustrator be sure to use spot colors to create your designs. You can use either the PMS Pantone Matching System swatch library (already in Adobe Illustrator) or Download our stock ink swatches from our website. It is usually a good idea to have the artwork set up on a background the color of the shirt to represent how the design will printed.
If you have any other technical questions please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our designers will be glad to help you.