What artwork setup covers for your order
Artwork setup is more than just opening a file and sending it to print. It covers checking the artwork quality, cleaning up the layout, sizing it correctly for the garment, and making sure the design sits where it should on a t-shirt, golf shirt, hoodie, workwear shirt or sports kit. For businesses in Hamilton, Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Welkom, Bethlehem, Kroonstad and Parys, this step keeps the final print looking neat and consistent across the full order.
We work with customer supplied files and also help when the file needs correcting before production. That includes checking resolution, line thickness, spacing, colour breaks and whether the design can print clearly at the required size. If a logo is too small, too crowded or stretched from a low quality export, it gets picked up here rather than after printing has started. This saves time, avoids waste and helps keep your bulk order within budget.
What we check before anything goes to print
Every artwork file is reviewed for the basics first. We look at image quality, font consistency, spelling, placement, and whether the art suits the garment size and print method. For example, a left chest mark needs different handling from a large back print, and a school crest has different needs to a bold event slogan. Our production supervisor, Sibusiso Ndlovu, and artwork coordinator, Annelise Botha, make sure the layout is practical for the run, not just attractive on screen.
- File quality and sharpness for print use
- Correct sizing for chest, back or sleeve placement
- Colour matching against the supplied reference or brand guide
- Spacing, alignment and margin checks
- Text legibility on the chosen garment colour
- Artwork separation where the design needs multiple ink colours
If changes are needed, we will flag them clearly before the order moves forward. That way schools, firms and event organisers know exactly what is being approved. It is especially useful for repeat orders where the same logo must stay consistent across different clothing sizes, from youth shirts to adult 5XL, and across multiple batches through the year.
Our setup process from file to print-ready artwork
The process is straightforward. First, you send your artwork and order details through the enquiry form on our contact page. We then assess the file and confirm whether it is ready, needs minor cleanup, or needs fuller artwork preparation. If the job includes multiple garments, we set the design to suit each print position so the final placement stays consistent across the range. Kagiso Molefe, our dispatch lead, also checks the order notes so the production and delivery side stay aligned.
Once the layout is approved, we prepare the file for production, set the size and placement marks, and confirm the number of colours needed. If the order includes size sorting or individual bagging, we factor that into the final pack-out. For couriered jobs leaving Bloemfontein to the Free State or further afield, this early preparation reduces the chance of delays once the parcel is on the road.
- Step 1: Submit the file and order notes through the enquiry form
- Step 2: We check resolution, layout and print suitability
- Step 3: We adjust size, position and spacing where needed
- Step 4: You approve the prepared artwork before production
- Step 5: The job moves into printing, finishing and dispatch
Sizing, placement and garment rules that affect the result
Garment choice matters just as much as the artwork itself. A design that works well on a cotton t-shirt may need a different setup on polycotton, hi-vis wear or stretch sportswear. We account for seams, plackets, zips, pocket positions and curved surfaces before finalising the layout. On lighter garments, the artwork can often sit larger and cleaner, while darker items may need extra care with colour contrast and underbase planning.
For uniform printing, we usually keep branding neat and balanced so the item still looks practical for daily wear. For events, the artwork may need a bolder layout that reads clearly from a distance. For schools, we keep size and positioning consistent across all items in the set. If your order includes mixed sizes, we adjust the artwork proportion slightly where needed so it does not look too small on larger garments or too wide on smaller ones.
We also factor in local conditions. In Bloemfontein and nearby towns, some workwear gets regular use in dry, dusty conditions, while coastal humidity on nationwide orders can affect packing and storage before delivery. Correct artwork setup helps reduce rework and keeps the printed result stable from the first item to the last.
Turnaround times and what affects the schedule
Artwork setup turnaround depends on the state of the file and the size of the order. Simple checks and minor layout adjustments can often be handled quickly, while complex vector cleanup, redraws or multi colour separations take longer. If you need artwork prepared for a school intake, team kit launch or a time-sensitive event, it is best to send the files early so there is room for approval before production starts.
Once the artwork is approved, print scheduling depends on the garment type, order quantity and current production queue. We work with practical timelines rather than guesswork, and we keep clients updated if a file needs extra attention. For couriered orders across the Free State and nationwide, dispatch timing also depends on when the job clears production and packing. Load-shedding can also affect shop floor timing, so we plan the sequence carefully to keep things moving.
- Minor file checks: usually the quickest stage
- Artwork clean-up: depends on how much editing is needed
- Complex layouts: allow extra time for approval
- Bulk orders: factor in sizing, packing and quality checks
- Courier dispatch: depends on final approval and completion time
Pricing approach and how we keep it fair
Artwork setup pricing is based on the amount of preparation required, not on guesswork. A file that is already print-ready needs far less work than one that must be restructured for sizing, colour separation or cleaner edges. That means smaller jobs can stay affordable, while larger orders are priced according to the actual time and technical work involved. We keep the approach clear so businesses, schools and event organisers know what they are paying for before production begins.
Where possible, we group setup work to keep costs sensible on bulk orders. If the same artwork is being used across multiple garment types or sizes, we prepare the master layout once and then adapt it as needed. Willem Jacobs, our quality controller, checks that the approved artwork matches the final print outcome, which helps avoid wasted stock and repeat setup charges. That is especially useful for repeat clothing programmes and long term uniform supply.
When artwork should be refreshed or checked again
Artwork does not always need to be redone from scratch, but it should be checked again when a logo has changed, a sponsor has been added, or the print placement has shifted to a new garment style. If a design has been used for a while, it may also need a fresh review if the original file was built at a low resolution or if the text is starting to look cramped at smaller sizes. We recommend a review before each new production cycle, especially for uniforms and school apparel that are reordered during the year.
As a practical rule, revisit the artwork whenever the garment changes, the print size changes, or the brand details change. That keeps the final result clean and avoids small issues becoming bigger ones later. With careful setup, your printed apparel stays consistent, readable and ready for daily use, whether it is heading to a classroom, a site, an office or an event field.
Key facts
| File types accepted | PDF, AI, EPS, SVG, PNG and high quality JPEG |
|---|---|
| Recommended resolution | 300 dpi at final print size where possible |
| Artwork formats we prefer | Vector files for logos, text and sharp line work |
| Typical print positions | Left chest, full front, full back and sleeve |
| Garment size range | Youth through to 5XL, depending on the item |
| Service area | Hamilton, Bloemfontein, Free State and nationwide courier delivery |
