Apparel Design 101: Tips & Tricks for Creating Artwork That Prints Beautifully
Designing artwork for apparel should feel exciting, not overwhelming. But if you’re a business owner, coach, or everyday creative without a graphic designer on staff, it can be tough to know where to start. At Zoza Ink, we spend our days bringing people’s ideas to life on tees, hoodies, hats, bags, and just about everything in between. And we’ve seen it all: the good, the great, and the “oops, why is that pixelated?”
Consider this your easy, practical guide to designing apparel that actually prints beautifully. We’ll also mention a few things to watch out for along the way.
Start With Clean, High-Resolution Artwork
One of the biggest hurdles we see is low-resolution artwork. Screenshots, tiny JPEGs from a website, or a picture of a picture, don’t translate well to screenprint or embroidery.
What to aim for:
Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, or PDF created from vector art)
300 DPI or higher for raster images
Clean, solid shapes that can separate into colors easily
Embedded fonts
If your artwork isn’t in the right format, don’t panic. Our team can redraw or rebuild your design so it’s print-ready. You bring the idea; we’ll make it production-friendly.
Keep Text Bold and Legible
Tiny, skinny fonts are beautiful on a screen but difficult on fabric. Ink spreads slightly, thread moves, and what looks crisp on your laptop may turn fuzzy on a garment.
Pro tips:
Use thicker fonts for small text
Avoid overly distressed fonts unless the letters are large
Increase kerning (spacing) when the text gets small
For embroidery: stick to blocky, simple fonts and avoid tiny serifs
If your design includes a paragraph of text, consider simplifying. Shorter phrases almost always look better on apparel.
Choose Artwork Styles That Shine on Fabric
Some styles translate better than others. Here are a few that nearly always look great:
Bold Logos - strong, simple shapes and clear text are ideal for almost every decoration method.
Flat Illustrations - Think clean lines and solid fills whenever possible. These separate well for screenprinting and maintain detail in embroidery.
Vintage/Retro Graphics - Distressed textures and blocky shapes print beautifully, especially in 1–3 colors.
Mascots & Sports Designs - High-contrast artwork with clear outlines works perfectly for spirit wear.
Styles to approach with caution:
Highly detailed photographs
Soft, multi-layer gradients
Watercolor effects
Ultra-thin script fonts
These can work, but they may require alternative decoration methods or thoughtful adjustments.
Limit Your Color Count
More colors often mean higher costs and more labor-intensive production, especially in screen printing, where each color requires its own screen. You’ll get the best value and sharpest prints with 1–5 colors in most cases.
For DTF, color limits aren’t the issue, but clarity and contrast still matter.
Know the Strengths of Each Decoration Method
Different artwork suits different techniques:
Screenprint - Best for bold, graphic, limited-color designs.
Direct-to-film (DTF)- Great for full-color artwork, photo-real designs, and fine details.
Embroidery - Shines with simple shapes, minimal colors, and solid fills. Avoid thin lines and overly intricate detail.
Spangles & Rhinestones - Look best with clear shapes, blocky text, and designs that don’t rely on tiny details.
Not sure how your idea should be decorated? Just show us, and we’ll guide you.
Make Sure Your Design Fits the Actual Print Area
A common surprise: print sizes aren’t unlimited. Design your artwork with realistic dimensions:
Adult shirts: 10–12 inches wide
Youth shirts: 8–9 inches wide
Hoodies: allow extra space for the pocket
Embroidery: hats max out around 2.25 inches tall
Sleeve prints: usually 2–3 inches wide
If you aren’t sure what size works best, we’ll help place it and show you mockups.
When in Doubt, Ask Us First
You don’t need to be a designer to get professional-quality apparel. Bring us your sketch or idea, and we’re here to help you refine, redraw, and build something that prints cleanly and looks great.
At Zoza Ink, we bridge the gap between what you imagine and what’s production-ready. And we’ll always guide you through what works, what might not, and how to get the best results every time.