Artwork Complexity Guidelines
Choosing the right decoration method often starts with your artwork. Here's what works best and what to avoid for each print or embroidery technique.
Decoration Method
To Consider
Best for
Screenprint
Avoid fine halftones or small text under 4pt unless you're printing large. Up to 10 colours on light garments.
Works best with bold logos, clean linework, solid shapes, and clear colour separation.
Puff Screenprint
Avoid fine lines, small detail, or gradients — they won’t puff up cleanly.
Keep it simple and bold — thick outlines, blocky text, or graphic elements.
High Density Print
Not suitable for photographic work, gradients, or intricate illustrations.
Best for geometric shapes, bold logos, and minimal detail.
Embroidery
Text should be at least 3–4mm tall for legibility.
Clean vector-based logos with solid fills and thick lines.
Appliqué
Not suitable for intricate logos or small detail.
Ideal for large text or numbers, simple block shapes, and minimal colour changes.
Puff Embroidery
Avoid small text — detail gets lost when puffed. Great for hats and outerwear.
Use chunky fonts and bold logos only.
Heat Press Transfer
Avoid low-res images (less than 300 DPI). Use our DTF for fade out gradients.
Can handle fine detail, full colour gradients, and photo-based artwork.
Silicone Transfer
Not suited to fine detail or photographic prints.
Great for minimalist logos, clean lines, and mid-sized designs.
Embroidered Patch
Small text should be avoided unless in a large patch.
Logos with moderate detail, bold lines, and strong contrast work best.
Woven Patch
Gradients and photographic images are not supported.
Handles fine detail and smaller text better than embroidery.
Dye-sublimated Patch
Less texture and dimension – Because the design is printed onto a smooth fabric.
Great for gradients and photographic images.
PVC Patch
Text should be at least 2mm tall. Avoid highly detailed or shaded artwork.
Works well for flat vector-style artwork, icons, and simple colour blocking.
CAD Cut Vinyl
Not compatible with fine lines, gradients, or full-colour artwork.
Suitable for single-colour, clean-cut shapes and block fonts.
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