For construction crews in Tacoma, school districts in Spokane, and business owners across Washington state, getting your logo onto apparel starts with the right artwork file. At NW Custom Apparel, our in-house graphic design team has prepared thousands of designs for screen printing, embroidery, DTG, and DTF since 1977. Here is how our custom artwork services work and what file formats you need for a clean print every time.
NW Custom Apparel offers full-service graphic design and artwork preparation for all custom apparel orders placed with us. Whether you have a finished logo that needs sizing adjustments or a rough sketch that needs to become production-ready art, our team handles the entire process under one roof at our Milton, Washington facility.
Our custom artwork services cover four decoration methods:
| Decoration Method | Artwork Type We Prepare | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | Vector separations, color matching, halftone setup | 1-2 business days |
| Embroidery | Digitizing, stitch mapping, underlay planning | 1-2 business days |
| DTG Printing | Raster optimization, color correction, pretreatment masks | Same day |
| DTF Transfers | Color separation, transfer layout, film preparation | Same day |
Every order includes a digital proof showing your design on the actual garment color and style before production begins. You approve the proof. We print the order. No surprises.
Steve Deland has been creating artwork for custom apparel for over 40 years. He started in the industry when screen printing was done by hand and has adapted through every technological shift, from early vector software to modern DTG color management. He delivered custom designs that have earned the trust of startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.
Steve works directly with every client who needs custom artwork or file preparation. He has designed for construction companies, school athletic programs, municipal departments, and small businesses across the Pacific Northwest. His experience means he knows how a design will look on a Carhartt jacket versus a cotton t-shirt before the first print is made.
When you submit artwork to NW Custom Apparel, Steve reviews it personally. If your file needs cleanup, vectorization, or color separation, he handles it in-house. You do not pay a third-party designer. You do not wait for an overseas art team. Your artwork is prepared by someone who understands Washington weather, Washington workwear, and Washington deadlines.
Vector files store artwork as mathematical paths rather than pixels. This means your logo can be scaled from a left chest print to a full back print without losing sharpness. Vector files are required for screen printing because each color needs to be separated into its own layer for film output.
Preferred vector formats:
Why vector matters for your order: A vector file of your construction company logo can be resized for a left chest embroidery on polo shirts and a full back screen print on hoodies without redrawing. A raster file cannot.
Raster files are made of pixels. They work well for photographs and complex full-color designs, but they have a fixed resolution. Enlarging a raster file beyond its original size creates pixelation and blur.
Acceptable raster formats:
Resolution requirement: All raster files must be at least 300 DPI at the size they will print. A 10-inch wide full chest print needs a file that is 10 inches wide at 300 DPI. A file that is 5 inches wide at 300 DPI will look pixelated when stretched to 10 inches. This is called upsampling, and it does not improve quality.
When you submit your logo or design, our team reviews it for print readiness within one business day. We check:
If your file is ready for production, we move directly to the proof stage. If it needs adjustments, we notify you with specific recommendations and a quote for any artwork preparation fees.
We create a digital mockup showing your design on the exact garment style, color, and size you ordered. The proof includes:
Proofs are sent via email within 24-48 hours of order confirmation. Rush orders receive same-day proofing when possible.
You review the proof and either approve it or request changes. We include up to two rounds of revisions at no charge for standard artwork setup. Additional revisions or complete redesigns are billed at our hourly artwork rate.
What to check on your proof:
Once you approve the proof, production begins. Changes after approval may incur additional fees and delay turnaround.
After proof approval, we prepare production files optimized for our specific equipment:
These production files are calibrated for our machines and remain the property of NW Custom Apparel. They are intended for use on orders placed with us.
We publish our artwork rates so you can budget accurately before contacting us. No hidden fees. No surprise charges.
Best for clients who have a ready-to-use logo and need it prepared for production. We create a digital proof, confirm placement and sizing, and make minor adjustments. Production files remain the property of NW Custom Apparel.
Billed in 15-minute increments at $18.75 per quarter hour.
Best for:
Production files are optimized for our equipment and remain the property of NW Custom Apparel.
Best for businesses, schools, or groups that need a new professional logo for use across all platforms (websites, signs, vehicles, apparel from any vendor). Includes consultation, concept development, revisions, and final files in AI, EPS, PDF, JPG, and PNG formats.
Upon final payment, you receive full ownership and all rights to the logo design, including original source files.
If you want full ownership and source files for a design initially created under our hourly rate, this fee transfers all usage rights and delivers the original AI or CDR files.
Think of it like hiring a photographer: you pay for their time and receive prints, but purchasing the original digital negatives for unrestricted use involves a separate fee.
Note: This fee is separate from any hourly charges already paid for the initial
creation or setup under Option 2.
Follow these guidelines to avoid delays and additional artwork charges:
Hear from our satisfied clients who have made us their go-to provider for custom artwork designs for apparel and have seen the difference quality makes.
Vector files in AI, EPS, or PDF format are ideal. They allow clean color separation and scaling without quality loss. Raster files can work if they are 300 DPI at actual print size, but vector is always preferred.
We can work with photos and screenshots, but they often require redrawing or vectorization. A photo of a business card or a screenshot from a website is typically low resolution and may incur artwork charges to make it production-ready.
We can advise on color reduction or suggest DTG printing for full-color designs. Screen printing is most cost-effective with 1-6 colors. Each additional color requires a separate screen and adds cost.
Yes. Our hourly artwork rate covers custom design work for apparel orders placed with NW Custom Apparel. For standalone logo design not tied to an apparel order, we offer our brand identity package starting at $500.
Submit your file through our quote form or email it to us. Our art team reviews every file within one business day and communicates any issues before production. We never print without your approved proof.
Vector artwork uses mathematical paths and can scale to any size without losing quality. Raster artwork uses pixels and has a fixed resolution. Vector is preferred for logos and text. Raster is preferred for photographs and complex full-color images.
A .PNG file is needed for (DTG) Printing. A hi resolution (300dpi) .JPG that the background can be cropped out will work with a little editing if that is the best you can provide.
If you are prone to wear a jacket then a front print is advised. If you ride a motorcycle or bike and or don’t like to feel like you’re wearing a billboard advertising something then a back print is preferred. If you’re advertising a brand or company logo then a simple left chest design and full back design works nicely.
Vector graphics breaks the art into layers and colors that are editable. Needed for screenprint. Raster art is basically a .jpg or tiff. They can be edited for DTG printing but cannot be used for screenprint.
Basic setup is typically same day or next day. Custom design work depends on complexity but usually takes 1-3 business days. Rush artwork service is available for urgent orders.
For our basic setup and hourly artwork services, production files remain the property of NW Custom Apparel and are intended for use on orders placed with us. For our logo design package and rights buyout options, you receive full ownership and source files.
Maximum size for a front or back design for (DTG) is 15” width by 19” height. Maximum size for screenprint is 13.5” width by 14” height. Left chest designs are usually around 4” by 4”.
Whether you have a finished logo that needs production prep or a rough idea that needs to become a finished design, our in-house art team is ready to help. We serve construction crews, school districts, businesses, and organizations across Washington state from our Milton facility.
Call: 253-922-5793 | 1-800-851-3671
Email: sales@nwcustomapparel.com
Visit Us: 2025 Freeman Rd E, Milton, WA 98354
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (serving Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and statewide)
Showroom Timing: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | Sat–Sun: Closed
Submit your artwork file through our quote form and receive a free file review and digital proof within 24 hours.
Our screen printing services handle bulk orders and team apparel for Washington businesses
Custom embroidery for construction uniforms and corporate wear across the Pacific Northwest
Direct-to-garment printing for full-color photographic designs on demand
Direct-to-film transfers for detailed multi-color graphics and small runs
Custom patches and emblem design for uniforms, hats, and promotional items
