{"slug":"artwork","title":"Prepare artwork and choose a print size","group":"Artwork","description":"Check the file, background, sharpness, and final size before you order.","outcome":"Choose a usable artwork file and catch common problems before printing.","needs":["The original design file, if available.","The width you want printed, in inches.","Permission to use the design."],"keywords":["artwork","PNG","PDF","SVG","JPG","DPI","resolution","blurry","transparent","white background","upload failed","print size","pixels","file fix"],"sourceUpdatedOn":"2026-10-21","sections":[{"id":"file","title":"Start with the best file you have","text":["Use the original design rather than a screenshot or a picture sent through a messaging app. Those copies may have lost detail.","SVG, PDF, PNG, and JPG/JPEG are supported across the main upload paths. The exact upload screen decides what that path accepts. Other formats are supported only in some flows."],"table":{"headings":["File","What to check"],"rows":[["SVG or PDF","Letters, edges, fonts, and whether any placed images are sharp"],["PNG","Pixel size and whether the background is transparent"],["JPG/JPEG","Pixel size and any solid background that will print"],["Screenshot or small web image","Find the original or review an artwork service before ordering"]]},"links":[{"label":"Full transfer file requirements","href":"/transfer-file-requirements"}]},{"id":"size","title":"Choose the physical print size","picture":{"src":"/images/help/print-size-diagram.svg","width":960,"height":500,"alt":"A design 10 inches wide needs 3,000 pixels of width at 300 pixels per inch.","caption":"Measure the print on the real item, then check that the file has enough pixels. This is a size diagram."},"text":["Measure the space where the design will go. Print width is in inches; shirt size is a separate choice. Use a paper rectangle to check the size on the real item.","For pixel-based images, aim for 300–600 pixels per inch at the final print size. A 10-inch-wide print at 300 pixels per inch needs 3,000 pixels of width. Changing a file’s DPI label does not create more pixels."],"table":{"headings":["Desired width","Pixels at 300 per inch"],"rows":[["3 inches","900 pixels wide"],["10 inches","3,000 pixels wide"],["12 inches","3,600 pixels wide"]]},"note":{"title":"Keep the shape right","text":"Changing only the width while stretching the height can distort the design. Keep its proportions and check both dimensions in the preview."}},{"id":"ai-original","title":"Using artwork from ChatGPT or another AI tool?","text":["Download the actual image file from the tool. A screenshot of the conversation is a lower-quality copy and can include things you do not want printed.","Check spelling, fingers or small shapes, fine lines, backgrounds, and pixel size. AI-generated artwork still needs the same print-size and proof checks. Permission to use a design is your responsibility."],"links":[{"label":"Choose an AMS artwork tool","href":"/help/ai-design-studio"}]},{"id":"white-edges","title":"A white box or white edges are showing","text":["First decide whether that white area belongs in the design. A JPG can have a white background; a PNG can also contain white pixels even when the outside is transparent.","Check the preview against the item color. If the unwanted white area remains, use the original with transparency or review an offered background-removal or File Fix tool. Inspect tiny letters and inside spaces after any change.","Do not erase white parts you intend to print. Check the changed file and final size again before approving."],"links":[{"label":"Artwork repair and proof review","href":"/help/ai-file-fix"}]},{"id":"background","title":"Check the background and tiny details","text":["Transparent means empty space around the design. A white square in the file may print as a white square. Check the preview on the garment or surface color you chose.","Look closely at small words, thin lines, dates, names, and image edges. The file guide’s DTF detail target is at least 1 point for fine lines and tiny features. A preview that looks fine when small may still show a problem at print size."]},{"id":"review","title":"Read the artwork choice before approving","text":["Print as Uploaded means the uploaded result must be ready for printing. Review every required proof or placement before approving it.","If File Fix or another artwork service is offered, read its current price, what is included, and the approval steps. Do not assume all file problems are automatically corrected for every order.","A mockup shows a design on an item. A proof shows the artwork or layout you are reviewing. Check the actual print dimensions as well as the picture."],"links":[{"label":"Prepare artwork with Make Print Ready","href":"/help/make-print-ready"},{"label":"Choose an AI design tool","href":"/help/ai-design-studio"},{"label":"Understand Design Credits","href":"/help/design-credits"}]},{"id":"checklist","title":"Do the final file check","checklist":{"title":"Artwork ready check","items":["I have checked every word, name, and date.","The background and edges are what I want printed.","The file has enough detail for the final width and height.","I have checked each design and placement, not only the first one.","I understand the artwork service or approval choice shown."],"complete":"You have checked the main artwork details. Review any product-specific requirements before ordering."}},{"id":"upload-problem","title":"If a file will not upload or load","steps":[{"title":"Read the upload message","text":"Check the file type, size limit, and connection. Use an accepted format from the original design; renaming a file extension does not convert the file."},{"title":"Check whether the file is already there","text":"Look for the existing upload or saved design before uploading more copies. Wait for processing to finish if the page still shows it working."},{"title":"Keep a useful error report","text":"Note the filename, file type, page, and error wording. Send a screenshot without passwords or payment details. Ask AMS if the result is still missing or unclear."}],"links":[{"label":"Ask AMS for help","href":"/help#submit-request"},{"label":"Recover a stuck Make Print Ready action","href":"/help/make-print-ready/preparation-stuck-or-failed"}]},{"id":"next","title":"Bring the checked file back to your order","text":["Use the exact version you reviewed. If you change the words, background, or size afterward, review the new result again.","For a group order, name files clearly, such as “Front” and “Back,” so it is easier to match each one to the correct placement."]}],"next":["finished-apparel","gang-sheets"],"updatedOn":"2026-10-21","kind":"article","canonical":"https://chooseams.com/help/artwork","revision":"b8fa40ad","markdown":"# Prepare artwork and choose a print size\n\nCheck the file, background, sharpness, and final size before you order.\n\nSource: https://chooseams.com/help/artwork\nReviewed/updated: 2026-10-21\n\nYou will: Choose a usable artwork file and catch common problems before printing.\n\n## What you need\n- The original design file, if available.\n- The width you want printed, in inches.\n- Permission to use the design.\n\n## Start with the best file you have {#file}\n\nUse the original design rather than a screenshot or a picture sent through a messaging app. Those copies may have lost detail.\n\nSVG, PDF, PNG, and JPG/JPEG are supported across the main upload paths. The exact upload screen decides what that path accepts. Other formats are supported only in some flows.\n\n| File | What to check |\n| --- | --- |\n| SVG or PDF | Letters, edges, fonts, and whether any placed images are sharp |\n| PNG | Pixel size and whether the background is transparent |\n| JPG/JPEG | Pixel size and any solid background that will print |\n| Screenshot or small web image | Find the original or review an artwork service before ordering |\n\n- [Full transfer file requirements](/transfer-file-requirements)\n\n## Choose the physical print size {#size}\n\nMeasure the space where the design will go. Print width is in inches; shirt size is a separate choice. Use a paper rectangle to check the size on the real item.\n\nFor pixel-based images, aim for 300–600 pixels per inch at the final print size. A 10-inch-wide print at 300 pixels per inch needs 3,000 pixels of width. Changing a file’s DPI label does not create more pixels.\n\n| Desired width | Pixels at 300 per inch |\n| --- | --- |\n| 3 inches | 900 pixels wide |\n| 10 inches | 3,000 pixels wide |\n| 12 inches | 3,600 pixels wide |\n\n> **Keep the shape right** Changing only the width while stretching the height can distort the design. Keep its proportions and check both dimensions in the preview.\n\n![A design 10 inches wide needs 3,000 pixels of width at 300 pixels per inch.](/images/help/print-size-diagram.svg)\n\nMeasure the print on the real item, then check that the file has enough pixels. This is a size diagram.\n\n## Using artwork from ChatGPT or another AI tool? {#ai-original}\n\nDownload the actual image file from the tool. A screenshot of the conversation is a lower-quality copy and can include things you do not want printed.\n\nCheck spelling, fingers or small shapes, fine lines, backgrounds, and pixel size. AI-generated artwork still needs the same print-size and proof checks. Permission to use a design is your responsibility.\n\n- [Choose an AMS artwork tool](/help/ai-design-studio)\n\n## A white box or white edges are showing {#white-edges}\n\nFirst decide whether that white area belongs in the design. A JPG can have a white background; a PNG can also contain white pixels even when the outside is transparent.\n\nCheck the preview against the item color. If the unwanted white area remains, use the original with transparency or review an offered background-removal or File Fix tool. Inspect tiny letters and inside spaces after any change.\n\nDo not erase white parts you intend to print. Check the changed file and final size again before approving.\n\n- [Artwork repair and proof review](/help/ai-file-fix)\n\n## Check the background and tiny details {#background}\n\nTransparent means empty space around the design. A white square in the file may print as a white square. Check the preview on the garment or surface color you chose.\n\nLook closely at small words, thin lines, dates, names, and image edges. The file guide’s DTF detail target is at least 1 point for fine lines and tiny features. A preview that looks fine when small may still show a problem at print size.\n\n## Read the artwork choice before approving {#review}\n\nPrint as Uploaded means the uploaded result must be ready for printing. Review every required proof or placement before approving it.\n\nIf File Fix or another artwork service is offered, read its current price, what is included, and the approval steps. Do not assume all file problems are automatically corrected for every order.\n\nA mockup shows a design on an item. A proof shows the artwork or layout you are reviewing. Check the actual print dimensions as well as the picture.\n\n- [Prepare artwork with Make Print Ready](/help/make-print-ready)\n- [Choose an AI design tool](/help/ai-design-studio)\n- [Understand Design Credits](/help/design-credits)\n\n## Do the final file check {#checklist}\n\n### Artwork ready check\n- [ ] I have checked every word, name, and date.\n- [ ] The background and edges are what I want printed.\n- [ ] The file has enough detail for the final width and height.\n- [ ] I have checked each design and placement, not only the first one.\n- [ ] I understand the artwork service or approval choice shown.\n\nYou have checked the main artwork details. Review any product-specific requirements before ordering.\n\n## If a file will not upload or load {#upload-problem}\n\n1. **Read the upload message** Check the file type, size limit, and connection. Use an accepted format from the original design; renaming a file extension does not convert the file.\n\n2. **Check whether the file is already there** Look for the existing upload or saved design before uploading more copies. Wait for processing to finish if the page still shows it working.\n\n3. **Keep a useful error report** Note the filename, file type, page, and error wording. Send a screenshot without passwords or payment details. Ask AMS if the result is still missing or unclear.\n\n- [Ask AMS for help](/help#submit-request)\n- [Recover a stuck Make Print Ready action](/help/make-print-ready/preparation-stuck-or-failed)\n\n## Bring the checked file back to your order {#next}\n\nUse the exact version you reviewed. If you change the words, background, or size afterward, review the new result again.\n\nFor a group order, name files clearly, such as “Front” and “Back,” so it is easier to match each one to the correct placement.\n\n## What to do next\n- https://chooseams.com/help/finished-apparel\n- https://chooseams.com/help/gang-sheets\n\n## Working with a customer agent\nUse this guide as public instructions. Get current prices, stock, order status, and eligibility from authorized live tools. Ask for missing choices. The customer must review the exact artwork/proof and authorize any paid or publishing action. A copied guide does not connect an account or grant access. Do not include passwords, card details, locker codes, or private access links in public requests.\n"}