---
articleType: Reference
categories:
- Products
last_updated: '2026-05-16'
primaryTopic: artwork-best-practices
relatedModules:
- name: catalog-product-all
  route: /admin/products/all
- name: products-list
  route: /admin/dashboard/products/all/
- name: catalog-product-discover
  route: /admin/products
- name: collections-list
  route: /admin/dashboard/products/collections/
- name: catalog-product-favorites
  route: /admin/products/favorites
shortDescription: Learn the essential file formats, resolutions, and color profiles
  to ensure optimal print quality for your merchandise.
tags:
- artwork-guidelines
- print-on-demand
- file-requirements
- dtg-printing
- dtfx-printing
- embroidery-specs
- sublimation
- cmyk-color-profile
- image-resolution
title: Artwork best practices
tasks:
  - upload artwork
  - prepare print file
  - convert to CMYK
  - choose print method
  - fix blurry design
  - meet embroidery requirements
terms:
  - artwork best practices
  - PNG
  - DPI
  - resolution
  - CMYK
  - transparent background
  - DTG
  - DTFx
  - embroidery
  - sublimation
  - print file requirements
  - merch design tips
labels:
  - best-practices
  - artwork-files
  - resolution
  - dpi
contextString: Available on all Fourthwall plans. Applies to creators with products in their catalog.
breadcrumbPath: "Create and sell products > Best Practices"
path: create-and-sell-products/best-practices/artwork-best-practices
---

# Artwork Best Practices for Print-on-Demand

Fourthwall print-on-demand products require PNG files at a minimum of 5000×5000 pixels and 200 dots per inch (DPI). Each print method — DTG, DTFx, embroidery, screen printing, and sublimation — has specific requirements for file format, color profile, and design complexity that directly affect final print quality.

## Prerequisites & Requirements

- PNG file format (TIFF files are NOT supported on any print method)
- Minimum file size: 5000 × 5000 pixels
- Minimum resolution: 200 DPI (300 DPI required for screen printing and sublimation)
- CMYK color profile for DTG printing
- Transparent background for DTG and DTFx
- Solid, well-defined shapes with strong outlines — semi-transparent elements, glow effects, and gradients do NOT reproduce reliably in physical production

## What file format and resolution does Fourthwall require?

All Fourthwall print-on-demand products require PNG format. PNG supports transparency, which is essential for DTG and DTFx printing where the garment color shows through unprinted areas of your design. TIFF files are NOT supported and will be rejected during upload. JPEG is only accepted for sublimation orders.

The minimum file size is 5000 × 5000 pixels at 200 DPI. Screen printing and sublimation require 300 DPI. Low-resolution files appear pixelated or blurry on the finished product — do not simply resize a low-resolution file upward, as the underlying pixel data remains low quality.

Avoid semi-transparent elements, glow effects, and gradient fades. These do not translate well in physical production and often appear muddy or washed out on the finished garment. Use solid, well-defined shapes with strong outlines. Remove all unwanted background colors before uploading — even very light background tints that are invisible on screen can print visibly on fabric.

## What are the artwork requirements for DTG (Direct to Garment) printing?

DTG printing embeds ink directly into fabric fibers using a process similar to an inkjet printer. It is best suited for full-color designs on light and medium-colored garments.

- **File format**. PNG with a transparent background
- **Color profile**. CMYK — this matches the color gamut used in commercial printing and prevents unexpected color shifts on the finished product
- **White on white**. Avoid white graphics on white apparel — white ink on white fabric is invisible
- **Effects**. Avoid semi-transparent elements, fade effects, and glow effects — these cannot be reproduced accurately in DTG
- **Red on dark garments**. Red cannot be reliably printed on dark garments using DTG. Use DTFx instead

CMYK vs. RGB: Digital screens use RGB color mode, which has a wider gamut than physical printers can reproduce. Colors that appear vivid on screen — especially saturated reds, oranges, and greens — often print dull if not converted to CMYK. Convert your artwork to CMYK in Photoshop (Image > Mode > CMYK) or Illustrator (Edit > Color Settings) before uploading.

## What are the artwork requirements for DTFx printing?

DTFx (Direct to Film) transfers a printed film onto the garment using heat, producing vibrant, full-color prints on dark garments where DTG cannot deliver accurate results. DTFx is the recommended method when your design includes reds, bright oranges, or any vivid color on a dark or black garment.

- **File format**. PNG
- **Effects**. Avoid semi-transparent elements, fade effects, and glow effects
- **Text size**. Avoid text smaller than 1mm or 4pt font — fine text cannot be accurately transferred and will be lost
- **Garment weight**. Avoid large prints on thin or lightweight fabrics — the film layer reduces breathability and may affect comfort on light garments

Unlike DTG, DTFx lays down a full ink layer on top of the fabric rather than blending ink into the fibers, which makes bright colors on dark backgrounds reliably achievable. Because DTFx uses a film transfer rather than direct ink injection, it does not require CMYK color conversion — the process handles color reproduction differently. DTFx is not suitable for designs that require soft hand-feel or breathability across a large print area.

## What are the artwork requirements for embroidery?

Embroidery converts your design into thread stitches. Because of the physical constraints of needlework, embroidery has stricter design limits than any ink-based print method.

### Hard limits — NOT adjustable

- **6-color thread limit**. Designs with more than 6 colors cannot be embroidered. Simplify your color palette before submitting
- **Minimum shape thickness**. 0.05 inches (1.3 mm) — shapes thinner than this cannot be stitched and will be lost in production
- **Minimum uppercase letter height**. 0.3 inches (7.6 mm)
- **Minimum lowercase letter height**. 0.25 inches (6.4 mm)
- **Text below 0.25 inches**. Text smaller than 0.25 inches is converted to a run stitch, which significantly reduces legibility

### Best practices for embroidery designs

- Use outline fonts to ensure legibility and clean stitch lines
- Avoid photographic or highly detailed designs — embroidery works best with bold, simple shapes
- Avoid gradients entirely — thread cannot blend colors the way ink can

For detailed design preparation including thread color selection and digitization guidelines, see [Embroidery Best Practices](/create-and-sell-products/best-practices/embroidery-best-practices).

## What are the artwork requirements for screen printing (MOQ)?

Screen printing uses a physical stencil per color to apply ink, making it best suited for bold, solid-color designs. It is used for MOQ (minimum order quantity) products, where you commit to ordering a set quantity upfront in bulk rather than printing one at a time.

- **File format**. PNG only
- **Minimum resolution**. 300 DPI
- **Gradients**. Avoid gradients entirely — each color requires a separate screen, and gradients cannot be reproduced with this method
- **Colors**. Solid colors and clean edges produce the best results

Screen printing produces extremely durable, vibrant prints, but it is limited to designs with a defined number of solid colors. If your design contains gradients, halftones, or photographic elements, DTG or sublimation is a better fit. Because screen printing requires physical setup per color, costs increase with the number of colors in your design — keep palettes simple to reduce production cost per unit. Contact Fourthwall support before submitting an MOQ order to confirm your design is screen-printing compatible.

## What are the artwork requirements for sublimation?

Sublimation uses heat and pressure to transfer dye directly into the fabric's polymer fibers, making it the only method that supports all-over, seam-to-seam printing. The dye becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.

- **File formats**. PNG or JPEG (JPEG is accepted for sublimation only — all other methods require PNG)
- **Minimum resolution**. 300 DPI
- **Fabric and color**. Sublimation works on white or very light-colored polyester fabric only — dye cannot overprint dark fabric
- **Color output**. Colors appear slightly muted on the finished product compared to a screen display — account for this when designing by slightly saturating colors

Sublimation is ideal for products like all-over printed hoodies, leggings, and cut-and-sew garments where coverage extends to the seams and edges. Because the dye bonds to polyester fibers, sublimated prints are highly wash-resistant and do not crack or peel over time. Sublimation does NOT work on cotton or dark-colored fabric — the dye requires a light-colored polyester base to bond correctly.

## Troubleshooting & Common Issues

**Problem:** Uploaded design looks pixelated or blurry on the mockup
**Solution:** Your file resolution is below the minimum. Re-export your artwork at 5000×5000 pixels minimum at 200 DPI (300 DPI for screen printing and sublimation). Do not resize a low-resolution file upward — the underlying pixel data will still be low quality.

**Problem:** Colors on the printed product look dull or shifted compared to my screen
**Solution:** Your artwork is likely in RGB color mode. Convert your design to CMYK in Photoshop (Image > Mode > CMYK) or Illustrator before uploading for DTG. RGB-to-CMYK color shifts are most pronounced with reds, oranges, and greens.

**Problem:** Red appears brown or muddy on a dark garment
**Solution:** DTG cannot reliably print red on dark fabrics. Switch to DTFx, which handles vibrant colors on dark garments using a film transfer process.

**Problem:** Embroidery design was rejected or significantly simplified in production
**Solution:** Your design likely exceeded the 6-color thread limit or contained shapes thinner than 0.05 inches (1.3 mm) or text shorter than 0.25 inches (6.4 mm). Simplify your color palette to 6 colors maximum and ensure all shapes and text meet those minimum size requirements before resubmitting.

**Problem:** Background color appearing on the printed product
**Solution:** Your PNG file has a non-transparent background. Open the file in an image editor, delete or remove the background layer, and re-export as PNG with transparency enabled.