How To Prepare Artwork For DTG Printing: The Complete Guide
The number one cause of print delays, colour issues, and disappointing results isn't the printer — it's the artwork file. Getting your design print-ready before you submit your order saves time, money, and a lot of back-and-forth.
This guide covers everything you need to know to prepare artwork for DTG printing in Australia, whether you're a first-time customer or a seasoned designer.
The Golden Rule: 300 DPI at Print Size
Resolution is everything in DTG printing. Your file must be 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the actual size you want it printed. This is the single most important rule.
A common mistake: designing at 72 DPI (screen resolution) and then scaling up. A logo that looks sharp on your screen at 72 DPI will print blurry and pixelated at 300 DPI.
Quick check: In Photoshop, go to Image → Image Size. Make sure resolution is 300 DPI and the dimensions match your intended print size (e.g. 30cm wide for a standard front chest print).
Best File Formats for DTG Printing
✅ PNG (Recommended)
PNG is the ideal format for DTG printing because it supports transparent backgrounds. This means the ink only goes where your design is — no white box around your logo. Always save as PNG-24 for maximum quality.
✅ PDF (Vector-based)
PDF files from Adobe Illustrator or InDesign are excellent. They're resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Ideal for logos and text-heavy designs.
✅ AI / PSD
Native Adobe Illustrator (.ai) and Photoshop (.psd) files are accepted by most professional DTG printers including Diyprint. Keep layers intact so we can make minor adjustments if needed.
❌ JPEG (Avoid if possible)
JPEG files don't support transparency and use lossy compression, which degrades quality every time the file is saved. If JPEG is your only option, make sure it's high quality (low compression) and the background matches your garment colour.
❌ PNG from a website or social media
Images downloaded from websites or screenshots from Instagram are almost always 72 DPI — far too low for print. Always go back to the original source file.
Colour Mode: RGB vs CMYK
This trips up a lot of designers. DTG printers use RGB colour mode — not CMYK like traditional offset printing.
If you submit a CMYK file, colours may shift slightly during conversion. For best results, design in RGB from the start, or convert to RGB before submitting.
In Photoshop: Image → Mode → RGB Color
In Illustrator: File → Document Color Mode → RGB
One important note: screens display colours differently to printed fabric. Colours on screen are backlit and appear more vibrant than ink on cotton. Expect printed colours to be slightly less saturated than what you see on screen — this is normal for all print methods.
Transparent Backgrounds: Why They Matter
If you're printing on a coloured or dark garment, a transparent background is essential. Without it, your design will have a white rectangle around it — which almost never looks intentional.
How to check in Photoshop: The background layer should show a grey checkerboard pattern, not white. If it's white, use the Magic Wand or Select Subject tool to remove the background, then save as PNG.
Printing on white garments: Transparent backgrounds are still recommended, but a white background won't be visible on a white shirt.
White Underbase for Dark Garments
DTG printing on dark garments (navy, black, charcoal) requires a white ink underbase layer to be printed first. This ensures your colours stay vibrant and don't get absorbed into the dark fabric.
What this means for your artwork:
- Any white elements in your design will print as white ink (not the garment colour showing through)
- Very light colours (pale yellow, light pink) may appear slightly different on dark garments
- High-contrast designs with bold colours work best on dark garments
- Avoid very fine details smaller than 1mm — they can fill in with the underbase
Standard Print Sizes in Australia
Not sure how big to make your design? Here are the most common DTG print areas used in Australia:
- Full front chest: 30cm × 36cm (A3 size)
- Left chest logo: 10cm × 10cm
- Full back: 30cm × 40cm
- Sleeve print: 8cm × 20cm
Design your artwork at these dimensions at 300 DPI for perfect results.
Common Artwork Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 72 DPI file | Blurry, pixelated print | Redesign at 300 DPI from scratch |
| White background on coloured shirt | White box around design | Remove background, save as PNG |
| CMYK colour mode | Colour shift in print | Convert to RGB before submitting |
| Very thin lines (<1pt) | Lines disappear or bleed | Increase stroke weight to minimum 1.5pt |
| Small text (<8pt) | Text becomes unreadable | Increase font size or simplify |
| Embedded fonts not outlined | Font substitution errors | Outline all text in Illustrator |
Free Artwork Check at Diyprint
Not confident your file is print-ready? Send it to us before you order. Our team checks every file for resolution, colour mode, background issues, and print size — completely free.
We'd rather spend 5 minutes checking your file than reprint an order. Upload your artwork here and we'll get back to you within a few hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum resolution for DTG printing?
300 DPI at the actual print size. Files below 150 DPI will be rejected or will produce visibly poor results.
Can I use a Canva design for DTG printing?
Yes — export from Canva as a PNG at the highest quality setting. Make sure the background is transparent if printing on a coloured garment. Note that Canva's free plan exports at 96 DPI, which may not be sufficient. Use the "Print Bleed" export option in Canva Pro for best results.
Do I need to include bleed in my DTG artwork?
No. Unlike commercial printing, DTG doesn't require bleed because the print doesn't go to the edge of the garment. Just make sure your design has a small margin from the edge of the print area.
Can you fix my artwork for me?
Yes, we offer basic artwork adjustments (background removal, resizing, colour conversion) for a small fee. Complex redesigns are quoted separately. Contact us to discuss.