Optimizing pixel graphics

Pixel graphics are photos or images that consist of a combination of pixels. Each pixel holds color information, the sum of which compose the digital image. Spreadshop uses pixel graphics in digital printing, laser transfer and thermal sublimation. In the following, we’ll give you tips for perfect print results and creation of pixel graphics.

Important for a perfect print: Data format and resolution

Your designs can be printed if they meet these requirements:

• File formats: PNG, JPG, BMP or GIF

• Size limit: max. 10 MB

• Resolution: at least 1000 pixels on the shorter side, or min. 4000 pixels on the longer side

• Design has no background

Although we accept several file formats, we recommend you create your designs in PNG format. The big advantage: Only .png files support transparent backgrounds.

For optimal print results, a sufficiently high resolution and size of your design is crucial. Our recommendation is: Set up the longest side of your design with at least 4000 pixels. This allows your design to be scaled razor-sharp on any print area – regardless of the product, without loss of quality.

If the resolution is too low, the pixels will be clearly visible.

Designs without background

Printing photos on T-shirts is extremely popular. Show photos to their best advantage and remove disturbing elements in the background – i.e. have the actual design without a distracting background. It is not enough to simply make the background white, because the white area will show in the print. It will be visible on both colored and white products. The background of an image needs to be transparent so that our printers can ignore it. That's why it's important to save your cropped image as a PNG.

No color transitions with transparencies

To make sure that your design can shine on colored products in its full brilliant glory, our printers spray a white top coat on the product before printing. Your actual design will then be printed on this layer. This is why your design must not contain any transparency transitions, meaning color transitions from transparent to opaque. Why is this? In the semi-transparent areas, not only the product color but also the white layer would shine through. Adjustment tip for advanced users: To create an effect similar to transparency transitions, use raster and halftone effects in your graphics program, such as "dissolve" or "dither”.

Consider color differences in the CMYK and RGB mode

On a monitor screen, colors often appear brighter than on the printed shirt. To make the colors of your printed T-shirt look as intense as on the monitor, try the following:

• Increase the brightness of your design. The printed product will never come out as brightly as the same image on the monitor. Please remember, that the monitor has its own light source whereas the print only reflects the light.

• Increase the contrast and saturation of your graphics to a very high degree. What may look a bit ”too much” on the screen will look just right in print.

• Always upload your graphics in RGB mode. Our software systems work with this color scheme, and that's why smaller color deviations are to be expected with RGB files when compared to CMYK files.

File templates

To make creating designs really easy for you so you can print them, we provide templates for a variety of products. You will find further instructions in the file templates.

Format	Product examples	Illustrator template	Photoshop template
	Men’s Premium T-Shirt Mug unicolored Baby T-Shirt Aprons Tote bags Pillows Stickers	Download	Download
	Snapback capy Panorama mug Lunchbox	Download	Download

Self-help tips

Do you have more questions or particular problems? We’ll find a solution together! On our community, you’ll get help from other designers and our experienced moderators. People share valuable tips and tricks that may come in handy. You’ll also get new inspiration for fresh design ideas.