Frequently Asked Questions

Author: Geym

May. 13, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

We have provided answers to some of the most common questions about our custom printing services.

If you do not see the answer here, please call (800) 757-5646 or send us a message at info@brandedscreenprinting.com and we would be happy to help you.

Branded Screen Printing Services

Does Branded Screen Printing have a minimum screen printing order?

Branded Screen Printing requires a low minimum order of 12 pieces. We are happy to create your unique t-shirt design, even in such small quantities. However, the more you order, the less the price per shirt.

How long will it take to have my order completed?

We allow 5-7 days for production after you have approved your proof. Your order will ship on that business day. Delivery time varies depending on your location and the shipping method you request. Branded also offers rush services if you need your order faster.

Need your order fast?

No problem, rush services are available. We will do whatever it takes to ensure the timely delivery of your garments. Call today (800) 757-5646!

When is payment due?

Branded requires 100% payment to start the order. If your company or organization uses a PO system, please let us know and we can update your account accordingly.

What is a specialty ink?

A screen printing specialty ink includes options other than regular plastisol ink. We offer additional, fun inks such as glitter, foil, discharge, glow in the dark, and more. Visit our screen printing page for more information and samples.

Can you match Pantone (PMS) colors for screen printing?

Branded Screen Printing can match PMS (Pantone) colors. Please be sure to include the PMS (Pantone) color in your order to ensure accurate printing.

What happens if the color of ink isn’t exactly what I viewed online?

Screen Printing Ink colors may vary depending on your computer monitor. The colors will be close but may vary slightly by a shade or tint. If you need a specific color, please send us the Pantone color when placing your order.

Where can I print my design on the garment?

Please view this link for our standard print locations and sizes: print locations. If you have something specific in mind, just let us know and we will see if we can accommodate it.

Can I get a catalog?

Please visit our online catalogs to see the different items that we have to offer: browse catalogs. There are hundreds of custom items to view.

What happens if I cancel my order?

If you cancel your order after the garments have been ordered but production has not yet started, a 20% restocking fee will be due. Production may begin anytime after the order is approved. Please call us to confirm that your order has not started if you are considering canceling.

Do you have contract pricing?

Yes! You can check out our contract pricing sheet by clicking here.

Do I have to get all the same color garment in an order?

No, you can get multiple colors within the same order as long as the ink colors and design remain the same. If you would like to change the ink color, there is a $10.00 charge each time.

How do I get a quote?

You can email your order 24/7 to info@brandedscreenprinting.com. Once we receive it, we will send you pricing within 24 hours. You can also visit our How To Order page to find out other ordering methods.

What happens when I submit a custom design via email or the designer?

When you upload your art, it is emailed to us for review! Our designers will look at it and email you back within 24 hours with questions or comments. If you have questions, you can include them in the comments section before uploading your artwork. To confirm that your artwork arrived, please give us a call.

Top 10 Digital Printing Mistakes to Avoid

Are you tired of dealing with blurry or inconsistent prints from your digital printing process? Many printing mistakes can occur if you overlook certain aspects of the printing process. From common print file mistakes to the selection of a reliable printing company, several factors can make or break your final prints. One common mistake is overlooking the resolution of your print files, which can result in blurry prints. Another issue to consider is the use of dots in your design, as they can affect print clarity. Additionally, delays in the printing process can lead to subpar results. To ensure high-quality prints, it’s crucial to choose a reputable printing company that specializes in sharp and consistent prints, especially for business cards and PDF files.

One of the most common mistakes made by a printing company is the lack of color calibration, leading to inconsistent prints that may not match what you see on your screen. Ignoring file resolution is another pitfall that can result in blurry or pixelated images. Lastly, proofreading is essential as overlooking this step can lead to costly reprints.

Understanding RGB vs CMYK Color Modes

Using the correct color mode in digital printing is crucial for accurate and vibrant prints. Understanding the differences between RGB and CMYK color modes is essential to avoid mistakes that can affect the coverage and vibrancy of your marketing materials.

Using RGB colors for print can result in inaccurate color representation.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the color model used for electronic displays like computer screens and mobile devices. While it works well for digital media, using RGB colors directly for print can lead to discrepancies in color representation. RGB colors are created by combining light emitted from a screen, while printed materials rely on ink absorption.

When designing marketing materials, it’s important to consider the difference between RGB and CMYK. Printing mistakes can occur if you don’t convert your design to CMYK before printing. Bright neon hues may appear dull when printed with CMYK inks. To ensure accurate color representation, always work with the appropriate color mode from the beginning.

Converting RGB images to CMYK may cause color shifts and loss of vibrancy.

If you have an image or artwork created using RGB colors for your marketing materials that you intend to print, converting it to CMYK is necessary. However, this conversion process isn’t always seamless. When converting from RGB to CMYK, there can be noticeable shifts in color tones and a loss of vibrancy.

This occurs because the RGB model has a wider color gamut than CMYK. The RGB model can display more vibrant shades due to additive mixing of light, while CMYK uses subtractive mixing of pigments on paper and has a more limited range of achievable colors.

  • Use software tools designed to accurately convert RGB to CMYK for print jobs.
  • Adjust the color settings and profiles in your design software to match the printing requirements.
  • Always proof your prints before finalizing to ensure colors appear as intended.

Not understanding the limitations of each color mode can lead to unexpected results.

Both RGB and CMYK have their own limitations, and not being aware of these can result in unexpected outcomes when printing. Understanding these limitations can help avoid mistakes that could impact your final prints.

RGB limitations:

  • Limited color accuracy when translating from screen to print
  • Neon or highly saturated hues may appear less vibrant in print
  • Some RGB colors cannot be reproduced using CMYK inks

CMYK limitations:

  • Limited gamut compared to RGB
  • Difficulty reproducing certain shades accurately, such as bright blues or deep blacks
  • Potential for visible dot patterns due to ink absorption on paper

By considering these limitations and adjusting your designs accordingly, you can achieve better results when printing with either RGB or CMYK color modes.

Choosing the Right Image Format

Choosing the right image format is crucial for ensuring high-quality prints. The file format you select can greatly impact the final result, so it’s important to avoid common mistakes that could compromise print quality.

Saving images as low-resolution JPEGs can compromise print quality.

One of the most common mistakes in digital printing is using low-resolution JPEGs. While JPEGs are common for web graphics due to their small file size, they are not ideal for print. Low-resolution JPEGs lack the necessary detail and can appear pixelated or blurry when printed.

To avoid this mistake, use high-resolution images specifically tailored for printing. Opt for formats like TIFF or PNG that offer lossless compression, retaining image quality even at higher resolutions. These formats ensure sharpness and clarity in your prints, providing a professional finish.

Heao Printing

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Using vector graphics ensures scalability without loss of quality.

Another important consideration is scalability. In digital printing, it’s crucial that your images can be resized without sacrificing quality. This is where vector graphics shine.

Vector graphics are created using mathematical equations rather than pixels, allowing them to be scaled up or down without any loss of detail or resolution. Formats such as SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) are perfect for logos, illustrations, and other graphic elements that require flexibility in size during the printing process.

Neglecting image compression techniques can result in large file sizes and slower printing speeds.

While maintaining high-quality images is essential, file size also plays a significant role. Large files can slow down the printing process and cause unnecessary delays. Therefore, neglecting image compression techniques is another mistake to avoid.

Compression reduces file sizes while retaining acceptable levels of image quality. One popular choice for compressed files is PDF (Portable Document Format). PDF files allow you to compress multiple images into a single document, reducing overall file size without compromising print quality.

When choosing image formats and compression techniques, consider the specific requirements of your printing project, such as the type of images used, their intended size, and the printing method employed.

Font and Line Weight Considerations

Using the right fonts and line weights is crucial in digital printing to ensure legibility and maintain the intended design. Failing to pay attention to these considerations can result in poor print quality and readability issues.

Using thin fonts or lines below the recommended size

When selecting fonts, consider their legibility at different sizes. Thin fonts may look elegant on screen but can become illegible when printed, especially if scaled down. Similarly, using lines that are too thin can cause problems during the printing process. Thin lines might not reproduce accurately, resulting in broken or faint lines.

To ensure crisp and well-defined lines, opt for thicker strokes that meet the printer’s specifications.

Failing to embed fonts properly

Have you ever received a printed document only to find that the font looks different from what you expected? This often occurs when fonts are not embedded correctly in the digital file before printing.

To avoid font substitutions, embed your chosen fonts properly. Embedding ensures that all necessary font files are included within the document, allowing printers to access them accurately during production.

Ignoring contrast between text and background

Adequate contrast between text and background is essential for readability. Neglecting this aspect can lead to difficulties in deciphering printed information, making your message less effective.

  • Use dark text on a light background or vice versa.
  • Avoid using colors with similar tonal values together.
  • Test your design by printing a sample to ensure readability under different lighting conditions.

By paying attention to contrast, you can enhance the legibility of your digital prints and ensure that your message is easily understood.

Positioning Borders Correctly

Incorrect border placement can lead to uneven or cut-off appearances after trimming. This can significantly impact the overall quality and aesthetic of the printed material.

Another important aspect is bleed area guidelines. Neglecting these guidelines might lead to white edges around the final print. Bleed refers to extending the design beyond the intended trim size to avoid unwanted white spaces when the material is trimmed down.

Consider gutter space, especially when dealing with booklets or brochures. The gutter space is the inner margin between facing pages in a printed document. Failure to account for this space can result in content being obscured or difficult to read when bound together.

  1. Follow trim size specifications.
  2. Include bleed areas according to the printer’s guidelines.
  3. Position borders carefully within your design to maintain consistency.
  4. Consider gutter space for booklets or brochures to ensure content accessibility.

By taking these precautions, you can avoid common mistakes and enhance the overall quality of your printed materials.

Ensuring Clarity of Text and Graphics

Ensuring the clarity of text and graphics is crucial for producing high-quality prints. Failing to pay attention to this aspect can result in illegible text, poor image quality, and reduced readability.

Insufficient Resolution for Small Text or Intricate Details

One common mistake in digital printing is using insufficient resolution for small text or intricate details. When the resolution is too low, these elements may appear blurry or pixelated when printed.

To avoid this issue, ensure that your artwork or documents have a suitable resolution before sending them for printing (usually 300 dots per inch). This will help maintain the sharpness and clarity of small text and intricate details.

Poor Image Quality Affects Visual Appeal

Another mistake that can impact digital printing results is poor image quality. Low-resolution images or images stretched beyond their original size can appear pixelated or distorted when printed.

To ensure good image quality, always use high-resolution images suitable for printing. Avoid stretching or enlarging images beyond their original dimensions. Consider using vector graphics whenever possible, as they maintain their clarity regardless of size adjustments.

Inadequate Contrast Reduces Readability

Inadequate contrast between foreground elements (such as text) and the background can significantly reduce readability in printed materials. If there isn’t enough contrast, the text may blend into the background, making it difficult to read.

  • Use colors that provide sufficient contrast.
  • Ensure that text is easily distinguishable from its surroundings.
  • Conduct a proofreading process to identify any potential issues with readability.

By avoiding common mistakes like insufficient resolution, poor image quality, and inadequate contrast, you can ensure clarity in your digital prints. Taking time to proofread and using high-quality images will contribute to visually appealing prints that convey information effectively.

Pre-Press Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to Convert Fonts into Outlines

Forgetting to convert fonts into outlines is a common mistake in digital printing. This can cause font-related issues during printing, leading to unexpected results and delays. When fonts are not converted, they may appear differently on the printed material compared to what you see on your screen.

To avoid this mistake, convert all fonts into outlines before sending your files for printing. Converting fonts into outlines ensures their appearance remains consistent regardless of the software or system used. This step eliminates any reliance on specific font files and mitigates the risk of font substitutions or incorrect rendering.

Neglecting Proper Trapping Techniques

Another critical aspect often overlooked in pre-press is proper trapping techniques. Trapping creates small overlaps between adjacent colors or objects to prevent misalignment during printing. Without adequate trapping, misregistration can occur, resulting in unwanted gaps or overlaps between colors.

To avoid misalignment problems, apply appropriate trapping techniques when preparing your artwork for digital printing. Trapping ensures that slight variations during printing do not lead to visible errors on the final product.

Avoiding Thorough Preflight Checks

Skipping thorough preflight checks can be costly. Preflight checks involve reviewing and analyzing your print files for potential errors that could impact the final output. Neglecting this step increases the risk of missing critical errors like low-resolution images, missing fonts, and incorrect color spaces or bleed settings.

Always perform comprehensive preflight checks before submitting your files. Use preflight software or features within design applications to identify potential issues early. Pay close attention to resolution requirements, color profiles, and bleed settings to avoid unexpected results or reprints.

Key Takeaways on Avoiding Printing Mistakes

In conclusion, understanding common mistakes in digital printing can help you avoid them. Ensure accurate color representation by understanding the difference between RGB and CMYK color modes. Choose the right image format for high-quality prints. Pay attention to font and line weight considerations to maintain readability. Position borders correctly for a professional finish.

Ensuring clarity of text and graphics will prevent blurriness or distortion. Avoid pre-press mistakes like incorrect file formats or improper resolution settings. Follow these guidelines to minimize errors and achieve optimal results with your digital printing projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK color modes?

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is used for digital displays, whereas CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is used for print production. It's important to convert your images from RGB to CMYK before printing to ensure accurate color reproduction.

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