When creating custom swag, apparel, or branded merchandise, the quality of your artwork directly impacts how your logo and designs appear on the final product. Using the correct file formats, especially true vector files, ensures crisp details, vibrant colors, and a professional finish across all print methods.

This article breaks down the differences between vector and raster files, explains which formats are acceptable for production, highlights common issues that can delay your order, and shares practical tips to make sure your logo looks perfect on every swag item.

 Why Artwork Quality Matters
 

Your Artwork Directly Impacts the Print Results

High-quality artwork ensures:

• ✅ Crisp and clean printing

• 🎨 Accurate and consistent brand colors

• ⭐ A professional appearance on all products

• ⚡ Faster production times

Poor-quality files may result in blurry prints, muddy colors, or distorted logos. Production must pause until proper artwork is received.

Understanding File Types

✔️ Vector Files (Recommended)
 

Formats: AI, EPS, SVG

Vector graphics are created using paths, curves, and points, allowing the artwork to scale to any size without losing quality.

Best for: printing, engraving, embroidery, laser applications, and large-format items.

Benefits include:

• 🔍 Sharp results at any size

• ✨ Clean edges and smooth lines

• 🎯 Accurate color reproduction

• Accurate color reproduction

⚠️ Raster Files (Use Only When Necessary)
 

Formats: PNG, JPG

Raster images are made of pixels and lose quality when resized.

Limitations include:

• ❌ Pixelation when enlarged

• ❌ Loss of detail on larger items

• ❌ Poor results for embroidery or engraving
   

If raster artwork is the only option, it must be:

• 300 DPI or higher

• Provided at full print size (20 inches by 20 inches recommended)

• Background-free, unless a background is intentionally part of the design  (20 inches by 20 inches recommended)
  
   

🚫Common Artwork Issues when using Raster Files Instead of Vector Files
 

1. Low-Resolution PNGs

• Logos that are under 300 DPI cannot maintain clean edges or fine details. Enlarging these files creates noticeable pixelation and poor-quality prints, especially on large items such as shirts, banners, bottles, etc.
   

2. PNGs or JPEGs With White or Colored Backgrounds

• White backgrounds print as white squares behind your logo.

• These files create visible boxes behind the logo when printed. Removing the background may damage important details, which results in lower print quality.
   

3. Incorrectly Saved Files That Appear to Be Vectors

Saving a PNG or JPG inside Illustrator and exporting it as an AI or SVG file does not convert it into a true vector. Even though the file extension appears correct, the artwork will still behave like a raster image.

These files:

• Cannot scale cleanly
• Cannot be recolored properly
• Often distort during production

As a result, production may be paused until a true vector file is provided.

4. Image-Traced Logos

• Auto tracing tools create uneven lines, inaccurate shapes, and incorrect colors. These issues become more noticeable during printing.

• Traced logos require full redrawing, not just cleaning.
  
  Traced logos require full redrawing, not just cleaning

❌Why We Cannot Proceed With Bad Files

Poor-quality artwork results in:

• Blurry prints, fuzzy text, and distorted logos

• Incorrect colors and uneven edges

• Customer dissatisfaction, reprints, delays, and extra costs

To protect print quality and your brand identity, production must pause until files are corrected.

🚫 File Formats to Avoid

The following formats produce poor quality and are not production-ready:

• .GIF

• .TIFF

• .BMP

• Word/PowerPoint files

• Low-resolution images (<150 DPI),  which will appear pixelated or blurry when enlarged
   

📁 Artwork Requirements for Production
 

Accepted File Types

• 🟢 Preferred: AI, EPS, or SVG files originally created as vector artwork

• 🟡 Alternative: If vector is impossible, provide a 300 DPI + high-resolution PNG at full print size without background (20 inches by 20 inches heavily recommended)
   

Guidelines for Embroidery and Engraving

Products with embroidery or engraving cannot reproduce very small text or overly detailed designs. If your logo is complex, you may need to provide:

• A simplified version of the logo

• Approval to remove small elements or taglines

• Adjustments to sizing for improved clarity

Our team can guide you on what will work best.

 

🎨 Best Practices for Logo Uploads

To ensure your swag printing looks its best, follow these guidelines:

• Use transparent backgrounds (for PNGs) to avoid boxed-in logos.

• Specify Pantone or CMYK colors to ensure consistency across items.

• Upload simplified versions - upload both full-color and 1-color/black-white versions for different decoration methods.

• Outline fonts - if your logo uses custom fonts, convert them to outlines/curves before sending, so the vendor doesn’t substitute.

📨 How to Get Correct Artwork Files

To ensure the best results:

• Request original vector files from your design or marketing team

• Avoid screenshots or downloaded images

• Do not use auto-vectorizing tools

• Store all approved artwork in one accessible location

Not sure how to ask for the right logo files? Copy and send the email template below to your marketing or design team.

📩 Email Template For Logo Files Request

 

🏁 The Bottom Line

✅ Correct artwork files = Fast production + High-quality prints + Consistent branding
❌ Incorrect files = Production delays + Reprints + Potential branding issues

Providing accurate artwork ensures your custom swag, apparel, and merchandise look exactly how your brand intends.