File formatting tips

The Launcher gives you full creative control, but proper file formatting is essential for high-quality prints.

Follow these guidelines to ensure your designs upload correctly and print at their best.

File Type

• Upload high-quality PNG files

• Use a transparent background (the product color should act as your background)

• Maximum file size: 50 MB

• EPS files are not supported

If needed, you can find free tutorials online for creating transparent PNG files in tools like Photoshop or GIMP.

Artwork Dimensions & Resolution

Both size and resolution matter for print quality.

Recommended Resolution

• 300 DPI (best quality)

• 150 DPI for larger AOP (All-Over Print) products

• Minimum accepted: 120 DPI

If your DPI is too low, the launcher will prevent you from proceeding.

Recommended Artboard Size (Standard POD Items)

• 12.4” W x 16.5” H

• 3720 x 4950 pixels

You can scale your design down in the launcher, so one properly sized file can work across multiple products.

For specialty products (AOP apparel and accessories), use the official design templates.

Color Profile

• Save your final file in CMYK color mode

• Avoid overly bright/neon colors (they may not print as expected)

Exception: AOP products use sublimation printing, which allows for brighter and more vibrant results.

Anti-Aliasing Settings

For cleaner, crisper edges:

In Adobe Illustrator

• When exporting as PNG, set Anti-Aliasing to “None”

In Adobe Photoshop

• Use “Nearest Neighbor (Hard Edges)” as the resampling method in Image Size settings

Photoshop does not offer a direct anti-aliasing toggle during export.

Additional Tips

Photographs & Artwork

Upload images as close to the final print size as possible.

Example: If printing at 12.4” x 16.5”, your file should ideally be:

• 3720 x 4950 pixels

• 300 DPI

Scaling up low-resolution images reduces print quality.

Front & Back Designs

Adding artwork to both sides of apparel increases the base cost.

To maximize profit margins, consider placing your design on one side only.

“Poor” Print Quality Warning in the Launcher

If your file shows “Poor” quality, you will not be able to proceed.

You can:

1. Resize the design smaller within the launcher

2. Return to your original file and increase the resolution (DPI)

3. Re-export at higher quality

File Size Too Large?

If your file exceeds 50MB while trying to meet DPI requirements:

• Resize your artboard to 3720 x 4950 pixels

• Export as PNG

• In Photoshop, use Image Size to adjust dimensions before exporting

Sometimes, slightly reducing the size within the launcher can increase the effective DPI and resolve the warning.