BWS Branding Resource Center
Everything You Need to Get Your Project Print-Ready
Whether you're ordering custom apparel, embroidery, DTF transfers, business printing, signs, promotional products or branded merchandise, this resource center gives you the information you need to prepare artwork, choose the right decoration method and submit your project correctly.
Artwork Guides • DTF Instructions • Embroidery Guides • Screen Printing • Size Charts • Color Charts • Templates • FAQs • Design Inspiration
01 · Artwork Requirements
Start With Great Artwork
High-quality production starts with high-quality artwork. For the best printing and embroidery results, submit the highest-quality version of your artwork available.
Preferred File Formats — Vector
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- Vector PDF
Raster Artwork
- PNG
- PSD
- TIFF
- High-resolution JPG/JPEG
- High-resolution PDF
Vector artwork is preferred for logos, text, line art, signs, screen printing and many embroidery applications because it can be resized without losing quality.
Recommended Resolution
- 300 DPI at the intended production size is preferred for raster artwork.
- If your artwork will print 12 inches wide, submit it at approximately 12 inches wide at 300 DPI whenever possible.
- PNG files should preferably have transparent backgrounds when the background is not intended to be printed.
Avoid Uploading
- Screenshots
- Images copied from social media
- Small web graphics
- Blurry logos
- Pixelated artwork
- Photos of printed logos
- Artwork with unwanted backgrounds
- Extremely compressed JPG files
Don't Have Production-Ready Artwork? No problem.
02 · DTF Transfer Guide
Direct-to-Film Printing Made Simple
DTF transfers are full-color heat-applied graphics that can be used on many types of apparel and fabric products.
Preparing DTF Artwork
- Resolution: 300 DPI preferred
- Background: Transparent
- Format: PNG preferred for raster designs
- Size: Submit artwork at intended print dimensions whenever possible
Before Pressing: Always confirm that the garment or material can tolerate the required heat, pressure and application process. Different fabrics and products may require different settings.
General Application Process
- Position the DTF transfer.
- Set the heat press to the recommended settings for your specific transfer.
- Apply the required pressure.
- Press for the recommended amount of time.
- Allow the transfer to cool or peel according to the transfer instructions.
- Remove the carrier film.
- Complete a finishing press when recommended.
Always follow the application instructions supplied with your specific BWS Branding transfer.
DTF Care
- Wash inside out
- Use mild detergent
- Avoid bleach when possible
- Wash with similar garments
- Use low-temperature drying when appropriate
- Avoid ironing directly over the printed design
03 · Embroidery Guide
Professional Embroidery for a Premium Finish
Embroidery creates a dimensional, professional appearance using thread stitched directly into the product.
What Is Embroidery Digitizing?
- Before a logo can be embroidered, the artwork generally needs to be converted into an embroidery production file — this process is called digitizing.
- Digitizing determines: stitch direction, stitch density, thread sequence, underlay, color changes and production path.
- A graphic file and an embroidery file are not the same thing.
Small Text: Very small lettering and extremely fine details may need to be enlarged, simplified or adjusted for embroidery.
Embroidery Colors: Thread colors will be matched as closely as practical to the requested colors. Exact matches between screen colors, printed colors and embroidery thread cannot always be guaranteed because the materials and production processes are different.
Polos
- Left chest
- Right chest
- Sleeve
Hats
- Front
- Left side
- Right side
- Back
Jackets
- Left chest
- Right chest
- Sleeve
- Back
Bags
- Front panel
- Centered logo position
04 · Screen Printing Guide
Built for Larger Apparel Runs
Screen printing is one of the most established methods for decorating apparel and is particularly effective for larger quantities.
How Screen Printing Works
- Each color in the artwork may require its own screen and production setup.
- Pricing can depend on: number of garments, number of print colors, number of print locations, garment type, artwork complexity, specialty inks and turnaround requirements.
Choose Screen Printing When
- You have larger quantities
- Your design uses a limited number of colors
- You want traditional apparel printing
- You're producing repeat bulk orders
Choose DTF When
- You need full color
- You have detailed artwork
- You need smaller quantities
- Your artwork contains gradients or photographs
- You need personalization
Not sure which method is right?
05 · Apparel Size Guides
Find the Right Fit Before You Order
Garment sizing can vary between manufacturers, styles and product lines. Always review the specific manufacturer's size chart before placing a large apparel order.
Common Adult Sizes
- XS
- S
- M
- L
- XL
- 2XL
- 3XL
- 4XL
- 5XL
- 6XL
Youth Sizes
- XS
- S
- M
- L
- XL
Availability varies by garment, manufacturer and style.
How to Measure a Shirt
- Chest Width: Measure across the garment approximately one inch below the armholes.
- Body Length: Measure from the highest point of the shoulder down to the bottom hem.
- Sleeve Length: Measure according to the garment manufacturer's specified method.
Important: A medium from one manufacturer may fit differently than a medium from another. For large uniform, team, corporate or organization orders, BWS Branding recommends reviewing product-specific measurements before production.
06 · Print Size & Placement Guide
Choose the Right Size for Your Design
Left Chest — 3"–4.5" wide
- Corporate logos
- Polos
- Uniforms
- Work shirts
- Jackets
Full Front — 10"–12" wide
- T-shirts
- Hoodies
- Promotional apparel
Full Back — 10"–14" wide
- Staff shirts
- Events
- Workwear
- Organizations
- Brand apparel
Sleeve & Hat Front
- Sleeve: commonly 2"–4" wide
- Hat front: artwork dimensions depend heavily on the hat style and embroidery area
These are general guidelines—not guaranteed production dimensions. Final size depends on garment size, product construction, artwork and decoration method.
07 · Color Guide
Understanding Color in Printing
Colors can appear differently depending on the device, material and printing process.
RGB
- Red • Green • Blue
- Commonly used for screens and digital artwork
CMYK
- Cyan • Magenta • Yellow • Black
- Commonly associated with commercial printing
PMS / Pantone
- Standardized color references often used when brand-color consistency is important
Important Color Notice — the same color can appear different on
- Computer monitors
- Phones
- Paper
- Cotton
- Polyester
- Vinyl
- DTF transfers
- Embroidery thread
- Signs
- Promotional products
Exact screen-to-production color matching cannot always be guaranteed. If precise brand-color matching is critical, tell your BWS Branding representative before production.
08 · File Templates
Download. Design. Upload.
BWS Branding provides downloadable templates for popular products so customers and professional designers can create artwork at the correct dimensions.
Business Printing Templates
- Business Cards
- Flyers
- Postcards
- Brochures
- Door Hangers
- Rack Cards
- Menus
- Presentation Folders
- Booklets
- Invitations
- Greeting Cards
- Hang Tags
- Labels
- Stickers
Sign Templates
- Yard Signs
- Banners
- Retractable Banners
- A-Frame Signs
- Window Graphics
- Vehicle Magnets
- Foam Board Signs
- Coroplast Signs
Apparel Templates
- Left Chest
- Full Front
- Full Back
- Sleeve
- Hat Front
- Hat Side
- Hat Back
DTF Templates
- Gang Sheets
- Individual Transfers
- Common Print Sizes
09 · Bleed, Trim & Safe Area
Important for Business Printing
When artwork extends all the way to the edge of a printed product, additional artwork beyond the final trim line is usually required. This is called bleed.
Bleed
- Artwork extends beyond the finished edge so small cutting variations do not leave unwanted white edges.
Trim Line
- The approximate location where the finished product will be cut.
Safe Area
- Important text, logos, phone numbers, QR codes and other critical information should remain safely inside the trim area.
- Never place critical content directly against a cut line.
Exact bleed and safe-area requirements can vary by product. Always use the applicable BWS Branding template when available.
10 · Design Inspiration
Need an Idea? Start Here.
Businesses
- Professional corporate apparel
- Employee uniforms
- Staff polos
- Branded hats
- Promotional merchandise
Clothing Brands
- Streetwear
- Luxury apparel
- Minimalist branding
- Oversized graphics
- Sleeve branding
- Neck labels
- Hang tags
- Packaging
Churches & Faith Organizations
- Ministry apparel
- Conference shirts
- Volunteer shirts
- Faith-based merchandise
- Fundraising apparel
Schools
- Spirit wear
- Clubs
- Teams
- Faculty apparel
- Graduation apparel
Nonprofits
- Fundraising shirts
- Volunteer apparel
- Awareness campaigns
- Event merchandise
Events
- Family reunions
- Festivals
- Conferences
- Concerts
- Corporate events
- Birthdays
- Weddings
- Community events
11 · QR Code Printing Guide
Make Sure Your QR Code Actually Works
QR codes can be printed on many BWS Branding products. For best results:
- Use a high-resolution QR code
- Maintain strong contrast
- Do not distort the code
- Keep adequate clear space around it
- Avoid making it unnecessarily small
- Test the final QR code before approving production
BWS Branding recommends testing QR codes using multiple mobile devices before production.
12 · Logo & Brand File Checklist
Every Business Should Have These Files
Logo Files
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- Transparent PNG
- JPG
Logo Versions
- Full-color logo
- Black logo
- White logo
- Horizontal logo
- Vertical logo
- Icon/symbol
- Transparent-background version
Brand Information
- Primary colors
- Secondary colors
- Pantone references when available
- CMYK values
- RGB values
- HEX codes
- Brand fonts
BWS Branding can help organize a professional production-ready brand package.
13 · Order Checklist
Before You Submit Your Order
✓ Correct product
✓ Correct quantity
✓ Correct sizes
✓ Correct colors
✓ Correct artwork
✓ Correct spelling
✓ Correct phone numbers
✓ Correct website
✓ Correct QR code
✓ Correct print location
✓ Correct print dimensions
✓ Correct shipping address
✓ Correct deadline
Once customized production begins, changes may not be possible.
14 · Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions, Clear Answers
What file type should I upload?
Vector artwork is preferred when available. High-resolution transparent PNG files are also commonly appropriate for DTF and other digital production.
What resolution should my artwork be?
300 DPI at intended production size is preferred for raster artwork.
Can BWS Branding fix my artwork?
Artwork review and artwork services are available for files that need production preparation.
Can you remove the background?
Yes. Background-removal services can be requested.
Can you vectorize my logo?
Yes. Vector conversion can be requested when appropriate.
Can you recreate a low-quality logo?
Depending on complexity, BWS Branding may be able to redraw or recreate artwork as a paid design service.
What is embroidery digitizing?
Digitizing converts artwork into stitch instructions that embroidery equipment can read.
What's the difference between DTF and screen printing?
DTF is excellent for detailed, multicolor and lower-volume designs. Screen printing can be particularly efficient for larger runs and designs with fewer colors.
Do you have minimum quantities?
Minimum quantities depend on the product and production method. DTF transfers are currently available with no minimums.
Do you offer rush production?
Rush and same-day production may be available on qualifying products and orders.
Can you handle large corporate orders?
Yes. Contact BWS Branding for wholesale, organization, corporate and high-volume requirements.
Can you ship directly to my customers?
Approved wholesale and reseller accounts can request available blind-shipping and white-label fulfillment services.
Do you provide proofs?
Proof requirements depend on the product and order. When a proof is provided, customers should carefully verify artwork, spelling, dimensions, colors, quantities and other specifications before approval.
15 · Professional Design Services
Don't Have a Designer? We Can Help.
BWS Branding can help turn your concept into production-ready artwork.
16 · Free Artwork Review
Not Sure If Your File Is Ready?
Send us your artwork before ordering. Our team can review the file and identify common production issues:
Need Help With Your Project?
Let BWS Branding Handle It.
From one custom transfer to a complete corporate branding program, BWS Branding can help you design, print, embroider, package and ship your project.
BWS Branding — Design It. Print It. Embroider It. Ship It.
(561) 870-1213 · customer@bwsbranding.com