You've created the perfect ampersand design. Now you need to get it to a printer in a format they can actually use. Send the wrong file type, wrong resolution, or wrong color mode, and your order gets delayed—or worse, prints incorrectly.
This guide walks you through exactly how to export and prepare your ampersand design files for professional printing, whether you're using screen printing, DTG, heat transfer, or any other method.
Quick Reference: File Requirements by Printing Method
| Printing Method | File Format | Resolution | Color Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | Vector (AI, EPS, PDF) or 300 DPI PNG | 300+ DPI | Pantone or RGB |
| DTG (Direct-to-Garment) | PNG (transparent background) | 300 DPI minimum | RGB |
| Heat Transfer Vinyl | SVG (vector) preferred, PNG backup | Vector or 300 DPI | Solid colors |
| Sublimation | PNG or TIFF | 300 DPI | CMYK or RGB |
Understanding Resolution: DPI Explained
What is DPI?
DPI (Dots Per Inch) measures image resolution. Higher DPI = more detail = better print quality.
- 72-150 DPI: Web use only—will look pixelated when printed
- 300 DPI: Standard for professional printing—crisp, clear results
- 600+ DPI: Overkill for most applications, creates huge files
Our Generator's Export Sizes
- SM (1500x1500px): Good for web mockups, not printing
- MD (2000x2000px): Acceptable for small prints, not ideal
- LG (3000x3000px): Recommended for most printing (300 DPI at 10" wide)
- XL (4500x4500px): Premium quality, professional screen printing
Size Calculation Formula
Print Width (inches) = Pixel Width ÷ DPI
Example: 3000px ÷ 300 DPI = 10 inches wide
For a 12" wide print at 300 DPI, you need: 12 × 300 = 3600 pixels wide
Our recommendation: Use LG (3000px) for 10" prints, XL (4500px) for 14" prints
Export Your Print-Ready Design
Download high-resolution PNG files ready for professional printing
Create & Export →File Formats Explained
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
What it is: Raster image format that supports transparency
Pros:
- Supports transparent backgrounds (essential for shirt printing)
- No quality loss (lossless compression)
- Universal—every printer can use PNG files
- Shows exactly what will print
Cons:
- Cannot be infinitely scaled without losing quality
- Larger file sizes than JPG
- Not ideal for extremely large prints
Best for: DTG printing, print-on-demand services, small to medium print runs
Vector Files (SVG, AI, EPS, PDF)
What it is: Mathematical paths instead of pixels—infinitely scalable
Pros:
- Can be scaled to any size without quality loss
- Smaller file sizes
- Professional standard for screen printing
- Easy to edit colors and elements
Cons:
- Requires design software to create/edit
- Not all printers work with vector files
- Complex for beginners
Best for: Screen printing, vinyl cutting, large format printing, professional print shops
Color Modes: RGB vs CMYK
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
- Used for: Screens, digital displays, DTG printing
- Color range: Wider spectrum, brighter colors
- Our exports: RGB by default
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- Used for: Traditional printing, offset printing
- Color range: Narrower spectrum, more muted
- When required: Some commercial printers prefer CMYK
For Ampersand Designs (Usually One Color)
Most ampersand shirts use a single color (black text, white text, etc.), which means:
- RGB vs CMYK matters less
- Screen printers will use Pantone color matching
- DTG printers work fine with RGB
- You can provide color code (hex: #000000 for black)
Export Checklist Before Sending to Printer
✓ Pre-Flight Checklist
Resolution & Size:
- ☐ Exported at LG (3000px) or XL (4500px) size
- ☐ Confirmed 300 DPI at intended print size
- ☐ No pixelation visible when zoomed to 100%
File Format:
- ☐ PNG format with transparent background
- ☐ No JPG artifacts or compression
- ☐ File size reasonable (not suspiciously small)
Design Quality:
- ☐ Text is sharp and clear
- ☐ Ampersands are properly formed
- ☐ No unwanted elements in file
- ☐ Background is truly transparent (checkboard pattern visible)
File Naming:
- ☐ Clear, descriptive filename (e.g., "TeamName_Ampersand_Black_3000px.png")
- ☐ Includes color specification
- ☐ Version number if multiple variations
Printer Communication:
- ☐ Confirmed file format they need
- ☐ Provided color code (hex or Pantone)
- ☐ Specified intended print size
- ☐ Confirmed placement on shirt
Common Export Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Mistake 1: Exporting Too Small
Problem: Downloaded SM or MD size, printer says it's too low resolution
Fix: Go back to generator, export LG or XL size
Can't fix: You cannot "increase resolution" of a small file without losing quality
Mistake 2: Background Not Transparent
Problem: White or colored box around design
Fix: In generator, ensure "Transparent" checkbox is checked before exporting
Verify: Open file in image viewer—should see checkboard pattern behind design
Mistake 3: Wrong Color Mode
Problem: Printer requests CMYK, you have RGB
Fix: Most printers can convert, but if not, use Photoshop or online converter
Better: For single-color designs, just provide color code (e.g., Pantone 200 C)
Mistake 4: File Corrupted or Compressed
Problem: Email client or file transfer service compressed your file
Fix: Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or WeTransfer for large files
Avoid: Attaching directly to email for files over 10MB
Preparing Files for Specific Printing Methods
For Screen Printing
Screen Printing Specifications
- Format: PNG (300 DPI) or vector (AI, EPS, PDF)
- Size: Actual print size or larger
- Colors: Specify Pantone colors or provide color codes
- Background: Transparent
- Additional: Include shirt color and placement specifications
What to send printer:
- High-res PNG file (LG or XL export)
- Color specifications (hex code or Pantone)
- Placement details (centered, 3" from collar)
- Shirt color and brand preference
- Quantity and size breakdown
For DTG (Direct-to-Garment)
DTG Specifications
- Format: PNG with transparent background
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum, 4500px wide maximum
- Color mode: RGB
- File size: Usually under 25MB
- Dimensions: Actual print dimensions at 300 DPI
DTG-specific notes:
- For dark shirts, some printers need special underbase files
- Black on light shirts = standard file
- White on dark shirts = may need separate underbase layer
- Most POD services handle this automatically
For Heat Transfer Vinyl (Cricut)
Heat Transfer Vinyl Specifications
- Format: SVG (vector) ideal, PNG backup
- Resolution: If PNG, 300 DPI minimum
- Colors: Solid colors only (choose vinyl color)
- Details: No elements smaller than 0.25"
- Text: Simple, bold fonts cut best
Cricut Design Space requirements:
- Upload as PNG to Design Space
- Select "Simple" image type
- MUST mirror before cutting
- Size to desired print dimensions
Working with Print-on-Demand Services
Printful
- Accepts: PNG (RGB, 300 DPI)
- Max dimensions: 4500px
- File size limit: 20MB
- Mockup generator: Upload file, see on product
- Our recommendation: LG or XL export works perfectly
Custom Ink
- Accepts: PNG, JPG, PDF, AI
- Minimum: 150 DPI (but 300 recommended)
- Design tools: Built-in editor available
- Design help: Free design services if needed
Printify
- Accepts: PNG (transparent background)
- Resolution: 300 DPI recommended
- Max file size: 30MB
- Multiple vendors: Requirements may vary by print partner
File Transfer Best Practices
For Small Files (Under 10MB)
- Email attachment works fine
- Direct upload to printer's order system
- Include specifications in email body
For Large Files (Over 10MB)
- Google Drive: Share link with printer
- Dropbox: Create shared folder
- WeTransfer: Free for files up to 2GB
- Avoid: Compressed ZIP files (can degrade quality)
File Naming Convention
Use clear, descriptive names:
Good examples:
- Panthers_Volleyball_Black_3000px.png
- SmithFamily_Reunion_White_4500px.png
- CoffeShop_Logo_Navy_LG.png
Bad examples:
- design.png (too generic)
- ampersand-design-final-v2-FINAL.png (confusing)
- IMG_4729.png (meaningless)
Quality Control: Checking Your Files
Before Sending to Printer
- Open file at 100% zoom
- Text should be crisp, not pixelated
- Edges should be clean
- No artifacts or weird halos
- Check file properties
- Right-click → Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac)
- Verify dimensions (3000x3000 or 4500x4500)
- Check file size (LG should be 2-5MB, XL should be 5-10MB)
- Verify transparency
- Open in image viewer
- Should see checkerboard pattern behind design
- No white or colored box around text
- Test print on paper (optional)
- Print on regular printer to check size/placement
- Hold up to shirt to visualize
- Catch design errors before professional printing
Communication Template for Printers
When sending files to a printer, include these details:
Email Template
Subject: Custom Shirt Order - [Your Name/Organization]
Hi [Printer Name],
I'd like to get a quote for custom ampersand t-shirts with the following specifications:
Design File:
- Attached: [filename.png]
- Resolution: 3000x3000px, 300 DPI
- Print color: Black (Hex #000000)
Shirt Details:
- Quantity: [number] shirts
- Shirt brand: [Bella+Canvas 3001 / Gildan 5000 / your preference]
- Shirt color: [White / Black / Navy / etc.]
- Sizes: [breakdown by size]
Placement:
- Centered on chest
- Approximately 3-4 inches from collar
- Print width: 10-12 inches
Timeline: Need by [date]
Please let me know pricing and if you need anything else!
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Conclusion: Set Yourself Up for Success
Properly prepared files mean faster turnaround, accurate prints, and no surprises when your shirts arrive. Take the extra 5 minutes to export at the right size, check your files, and communicate clearly with your printer.
Remember: Our generator is designed to export print-ready files. Choose LG or XL, keep that transparent background, and you're 95% of the way there. The last 5% is clear communication with your printer about colors, placement, and shirts.
Ready to export your print-ready design? Create and download now →