Common Artwork Issues
Thin lines, transparency problems, fuzzy edges — here’s how to fix them before you upload.
If it’s hard to read on your phone at size, it’s too small.
Transparent PNG recommended.
300 DPI at final print size.
Common Rejection Reasons
Thin Lines / Hairlines
Looks like: Missing details or lines flaking off in the wash.
Why: Not enough surface area for powder to adhere.
- Thicken strokes to at least 0.5mm.
Tiny Text
Looks like: Unreadable, messy, or broken letters.
Why: Micro-details bleed together or fail to stick.
- Use bold fonts for small text.
Transparency Halos
Looks like: An ugly white/gray rim around your art.
Why: White underbase prints behind soft, fuzzy pixels.
- Use hard, crisp edges. No feathering.
Unwanted Backgrounds
Looks like: A solid white or black box prints on the shirt.
Why: Exported as a JPG instead of a transparent PNG.
- Remove background; save as PNG.
Low Resolution
Looks like: Blurry, jagged, pixelated "Minecraft" edges.
Why: A tiny thumbnail was stretched too large.
- Design at 300 DPI at final print size.
Compression Artifacts
Looks like: Dirty, blocky noise floating near edges.
Why: Image was saved at a low quality setting.
- Export uncompressed PNGs.
Dark-on-Dark Contrast
Looks like: Navy blue text disappears when pressed on a black shirt.
Why: Lack of color contrast with the garment.
- Add a light stroke/outline or use lighter colors.
Thin Lines & Hairline Strokes
DTF requires an adhesive powder to melt onto the printed ink. If a line is thinner than a piece of thread, there simply isn't enough surface area for the glue to grab onto. While it may print, it will likely flake off after one wash.
- The Fix: Thicken strokes to at least 0.5mm minimum. Avoid standalone outlines under this thickness. Bold your artwork!
Tiny Text
Micro-text not only suffers from durability issues, but the white underbase required for DTF can sometimes "choke" or peek out from beneath microscopic letters, making them illegible.
- The Fix: Keep essential text large enough to read easily. If you can't read it clearly on your phone without zooming in, it's too small for a t-shirt.
Transparency & Halos
Because DTF uses a solid white underbase, our software must decide where to put white ink. If your design has soft drop shadows, glowing edges, or feathered masking (partially transparent pixels), the printer will lay solid white ink behind them. This creates an ugly white/gray "halo" outline.
- The Fix: Use hard, crisp edges. Remove all matte/feathering. Avoid partial transparency around the outer edges of your design.
Unwanted Background Boxes
If you upload a JPG, or a PNG where you forgot to turn off the background layer, a solid white (or black) box will print behind your logo. DTF printers cannot "guess" what part of the image you want to keep.
- The Fix: Turn off background layers in your design software. Export strictly as a PNG with transparency enabled.
Low Resolution
Taking a 72 DPI image from a website and dragging it to be 11 inches wide does not create a high-quality print. The image will look like a blurry, jagged mess.
- The Fix: "300 DPI at size" simply means your original canvas must be created at the final print size (e.g., 11 inches) and set to 300 pixels per inch. Don't upscale tiny logos.
Compression Artifacts
When files are passed through text messages, social media, or saved repeatedly as low-quality JPGs, they develop "artifacts"—tiny blocks of stray pixels. Our printers will print a white base behind every single stray pixel.
- The Fix: Always use the original source file. Export as a high-quality, uncompressed PNG.
Color & Contrast
Screens are backlit and artificially bright. Printed inks are not. If you have dark navy text and you press it on a black shirt, the text will vanish into the fabric.
- The Fix: Increase your brightness slightly before exporting. For dark-on-dark designs, add a light-colored outline around your artwork for readability.
Quick Fix Checklist
Review this list before uploading to guarantee a perfect print:
- ✔ Canvas is exactly 300 DPI at final print size.
- ✔ Saved as a PNG with a transparent background.
- ✔ Not mirrored (upload normally!).
- ✔ Details are bold (no hairlines under 0.5mm).
- ✔ No unwanted background boxes.
- ✔ No feathered edges or drop-shadow halos.
- ✔ Spelling checked (we print what you send).
- ✔ File is named clearly for your own records.
- ✔ Tested on your phone screen at actual size for readability.
- ✔ Critical text is kept large and thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my thin lines disappear after pressing?
Extremely thin lines do not hold enough adhesive powder to bond with the fabric. When you wash or peel the garment, those microscopic details flake off. Thicken your lines!
Why do I see a white/gray outline around my design?
This is a "halo." It happens when your file has semi-transparent pixels, soft edges, or a drop shadow. The printer tries to put a solid white underbase behind those fuzzy pixels. Use hard edges only.
Will my white box/background print?
Yes. If your file is uploaded with a solid background layer, the printer will print a giant square block of ink. Always remove backgrounds before saving as a PNG.
Can you fix my low-resolution file?
To keep our same-day production speeds, we do not offer editing or upscaling services. You must submit a print-ready file.
What does 300 DPI at size mean?
It means if you want your design to print 10 inches wide, your digital canvas must be 10 inches wide, and the resolution must be set to 300 dots per inch. Do not just upscale a small image.
How small can text be?
We recommend avoiding any text or lines thinner than 0.5mm. Bold fonts are always safer for apparel printing.
Do I need to mirror my artwork?
No! We handle the mirroring automatically. If you mirror your file before uploading, it will print backward on your shirt.
Why does my image look blocky?
Blocky edges are caused by heavy image compression, usually from saving a file as a low-quality JPG or pulling an image from social media. Always use uncompressed PNGs.
How do I avoid dark-on-dark issues?
If you are printing dark art for a black shirt, add a contrasting outline (like white or bright gray) to separate the design from the fabric visually.
Want us to review your file?
Send your file preview + intended print size in inches to our support team. We’ll tell you the quickest fix before you reorder.