Can We Use Your Artwork?
A Practical Guide to AI Images, Logos and Print Files

One of the most common questions we receive is:

"Can you use my artwork?"

The answer is usually yes... but not always.

With the rise of AI-generated artwork, Canva designs, screenshots, social media images and low resolution logos, many people are unsure whether the file they have is suitable for printing, embroidery or reproduction in general.

This guide explains exactly what we can and can't work with, along with real-world examples of each.

The Best File Types to Supply

The gold standard is always vector artwork. 🥇

Preferred file types include:

• AI

• EPS

• SVG

• Vector PDF

Vector artwork delivers the highest possible print quality because it can be enlarged, reduced, recoloured and edited without losing quality.

Think of vector artwork as the master copy of your logo.

If you have one of these files, you're already winning 🏆

What If I Don't Have a Vector File?

Don't panic. Many customers don't.

In many cases we can still work with your artwork, but the process depends on the quality and complexity of the file supplied.

Generally, artwork falls into one of four categories.

Category 1 : Simple Vector Redraw (Usable)

✅ Usable

This is the easiest type of non-vector artwork for us to work with.

Simple logos featuring:

• Basic shapes

• Solid colours

• Simple text

• Minimal detail

can usually be recreated by us as professional vector artwork without too much difficulty.

Examples include:

• Clean / sharp lines

• Solid shapes

• Basic shapes

• Simple text based branding

Although a vector redraw fee may still apply, these logos are generally straightforward to convert into production ready artwork.

Typical Example

A business logo with : 

• Simple icon

• Business name

• Solid colours

Perfect candidate for a vector redraw.

Category 2 : Complex Vector Redraw (Still Usable)

✅ Usable

Some logos are more detailed but can still be converted into vector artwork.

These designs often contain:

• Complex illustrations

• Multiple layers
  

• Detailed elements

They require significantly more design time but are still suitable for production.

Typical Example

A company logo featuring :

• A simple graphic or symbol

• Decorative elements

• Multiple colours

• Complex shapes

These files can be rebuilt but the redraw process takes longer.

Category 3 : High Quality Raster Artwork (Usable As-Is)

✅ Usable (with limitations)

This category surprises many customers.

Sometimes a logo is too detailed to convert into vector artwork economically.

However, if the artwork is:

• Large enough (artwork file dimensions must be larger then intended print size)

• High resolution

• Sharp and crisp

• Free from blurry edges

• Free from soft shadows

we can often use it exactly as supplied, 

This is common with:

• Detailed mascot logos

• Sports logos

• Gaming logos

• AI-generated illustrations

• Detailed animal logos

Important Limitation

These files cannot be enlarged indefinitely.

Because they are pixel based, they are usually best suited for:

• Small logo placements (eg chest branding)

• Hat branding
  

Large back prints may not be possible without print quality issues.

👉 The general rule of thumb is the file size must be larger than the required branding size.

Transparent Backgrounds Help

If you are supplying raster artwork, PNG files with transparent backgrounds are strongly preferred. 

A note on transparent backgrounds - A file with a transparent background will often appear with a checkerboard design behind the graphic. This is correct. 
However keep in mind that if you ask an AI program to generate a logo with a transparent background it will just fill the background with a checkerboard "look" to simulate how it thinks it should look.
This is not a transparent background, it's simply part of your artwork.

Category 4: Unusable Artwork

❌ Action Required

Unfortunately, some artwork simply cannot be used because it can not be regenerated into commercially print ready artwork.

This usually happens when a file is:

• Too small

• Too blurry

• Taken from a screenshot

• Downloaded from social media

• Saved from a website thumbnail

• Generated at low resolution

• Filled with soft effects and blurry edges

• Is far too complex with too many elements, ie it's not actually a logo but a scene!

When artwork falls into this category, we require an alternative version before production can proceed.

Common Examples

• Facebook profile pictures

• Website screenshots

• Tiny AI-generated images
  

• Artwork with heavy blur effects

• Artwork with soft glow effects

If the edge of the logo isn't clearly defined, chances are we won't be able to produce it successfully.

AI Artwork: The Most Common Issue We See Today

AI image generators are amazing for creating concepts.

But they often create artwork that sits somewhere between Category 3 and Category 4.

Customers generate a fantastic image and assume it's ready for printing.

Unfortunately AI artwork lacks:

• Vector files (scalable elements)

• Colour specifications and profiles

• Font information

• Editable elements

• Production ready file formats

The image may look perfect on screen while still being unsuitable for reproduction.

AI is fantastic for communicating an idea. It is rarely the final production file.

If You're Using AI, Ask it to Generate Large Files

This is one of the easiest ways to improve your chances of success.

When generating artwork using ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, Midjourney or similar tools, always ask for the largest output size available.

As a minimum we recommend:

Front Chest Logos

At least 1080px wide

Large Back Prints

At least 1200px wide

Bigger is usually better.

Starting with a larger file gives us significantly more flexibility when assessing whether the artwork can be used as is or whether it needs to be recreated.

Small AI images create problems that even the best designers can't always solve.

Why Fine Detail Can Be a Problem

Another common misconception is:

"If I can see it on screen, it will print, exactly like that"

Not always!

Very fine lines, tiny details and intricate textures can become problematic when transferred onto garments.

Also consider that on your screen the graphic is being shown to you on a light emitting source. You logo will look very different when printed on a garment. And it will look very different depending on if it's on a black or white garment. Black garments visually draw colour in so colours looks less vibrant. White coloured garments visually pop colour out so your logo looks more vibrant. This is a visual trick that your eyes play.

For some decoration methods, elements smaller than approximately 1mm may need to be adjusted during artwork preparation to ensure adequate ink coverage, adhesion and durability.

This is particularly relevant for:

• Digital transfers

• Supacolour

• Screen printing

• Embroidery

What works on a computer monitor doesn't always work on fabric.

The Smart Approach

If you're creating artwork using AI, Canva or other online tools:

1. Generate the largest image possible.

2. Save a transparent PNG if available.

3. Keep the original file.

4. Avoid screenshots.

5. Avoid social media downloads.

6. Supply any branding guidelines you have.

7. Let our team assess the artwork before placing your order, you may be advised to get a graphic designer to help you prepare your artwork.

Some time and effort spent preparing the right file can save days of delays later.

Final Thoughts

Not all artwork files are created equal.

Some files can be converted easily.

Some can be used exactly as supplied.

Some need significant rebuilding.

And some unfortunately need to be recreated from scratch.

If you're unsure whether your logo is suitable for printing, send it through. We'd much rather assess it and provide feedback before production - before you've fallen in love with the design!