Branza
Artwork & Embroidery Guidelines
To help you get the best possible result, we have set out some simple artwork, print and embroidery guidelines below. These notes are designed to make the process clearer, reduce delays and help avoid issues with print quality, stitch detail and file setup.
Before you upload artwork
Use the best file you have
High resolution artwork always produces the best result. If you have a vector file, that is usually the best option.
Check the finished size
Always pay attention to the width shown in the customiser, as this is the size your design will be produced at.
Keep it simple where possible
Small details, gradients and thin lines can cause problems, especially with embroidery.
Quick Guide
Best for print
PNG, SVG, PDF or high-resolution artwork with clean edges and no unwanted backgrounds.
Best for embroidery
Simple logos, bold shapes, readable text and vector artwork where available.
Maximum print size
14" (W) x 19" (H) per side unless otherwise agreed.
Need help?
Email sales@branza.co.uk and include your order number if you have already placed an order.
Branza
See how DPI affects your artwork
Slide the control below to see a visual simulation of how lower resolution artwork can affect print quality. The closer you get to 300 DPI, the sharper and cleaner your artwork will usually look when printed.
300 DPI
Move the slider
300 DPI
10
72
150
300
This is an educational visual guide only. It is designed to help show why higher resolution artwork matters.
Excellent for print
This level is usually ideal for clean, professional-looking printed results and is the recommended target for most artwork.
10–72 DPI
Poor quality. Likely to appear pixelated, blurred or rough when printed, especially at larger sizes.
73–149 DPI
May be acceptable for some small designs, but often not ideal for professional print quality.
150–299 DPI
Usually workable for many jobs, especially if the design is not being enlarged too much.
300 DPI
Recommended for best results wherever possible.
Detailed Guidelines
Our online designer is intended for visual mock-up purposes only and may not always represent the exact final appearance on the garment selected.
Factors such as garment fabric, print method, print size and embroidery scaling may affect the finished result slightly.
Important: Always refer to the design width shown in the customiser panel, as this is the approximate size your design will be produced at.
Garment colours shown on screen may also vary slightly depending on your device settings.
For best results, upload artwork in the highest quality available.
- Recommended: 300 DPI
- Minimum: 150 DPI
Low-resolution artwork may appear pixelated, blurry or rough when enlarged and may result in poor print quality.
The designer may flag unsuitable artwork with a warning. You can still proceed, but this is at your own discretion.
The final print can only ever be as good as the artwork supplied.
Maximum upload size via the customiser: 50MB
Accepted online file types:
- JPG / JPEG
- PNG
- GIF
- BMP
- SVG
Additional file types can be emailed to: sales@branza.co.uk
- AI
- EPS
- PSD
- TIFF
Please include your order number in the subject line so we can link the artwork to your order quickly.
We do not usually send manual proofs, as your design can be reviewed throughout the order process.
- Use the preview icon in the designer to view your artwork placement
- Review your design again before adding the product to your cart
- Carry out a final check at checkout before placing your order
This allows production to move ahead faster without delays caused by proof approvals.
If you continue with low-quality artwork warnings, Branza cannot accept responsibility for issues caused by the image quality supplied.
You can remove some backgrounds using the built-in background removal feature in the designer.
If needed, you can also leave a note at checkout and our team can review it.
For best results, upload artwork that already supports transparency:
- PNG (preferred)
- SVG
- EPS
We offer the following services for a small charge:
Avoid semi-transparent elements, gradients, glows, soft shadows and fade effects where possible.
Printing relies on solid ink application and embroidery relies on physical stitched thread, so these types of effects may not reproduce accurately.
Very fine detail may also be lost when artwork is reduced in size.
Our standard maximum print area per side is:
14" (W) x 21" (H)
Designs larger than this may be reduced automatically to fit within the available print area of the garment selected.
Embroidery uses stitched thread rather than printed ink, creating a premium, durable and textured finish.
It is ideal for workwear, uniforms, caps, outerwear and premium branded garments.
Embroidery has different limitations compared to print, particularly around stitch density, fine detail and very small text.
Recommended file types for embroidery:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- High-resolution PNG if vector is not available
Artwork should ideally be clean, sharp, simplified and free from unnecessary detail.
Bold logos and clear text generally produce the best embroidery result.
Due to the physical nature of stitching:
- Very fine details may not be achievable
- Small text may become difficult or impossible to read
- Thin lines may not stitch cleanly
- Dense filled areas may increase stitch count significantly
Recommended minimums:
- Text height: 5–6mm minimum
- Line thickness: 0.5mm minimum
If a design is not suitable as supplied, we may recommend slight adjustments to improve quality.
Embroidery colours are matched using thread rather than printed ink.
Because of this, exact Pantone matching is not always possible and slight variation may occur.
Where required, we will aim to select the closest suitable thread match available.
Typical embroidery sizes include:
- Left chest: approximately 80–120mm wide
- Cap front: depends on panel shape and cap style
- Larger areas: quoted based on stitch count and design suitability
Embroidery pricing is usually based on:
- Stitch count
- Design size
- Order quantity
Please see our Price Guide page for current embroidery pricing bands.
All embroidery designs must first be converted into a stitch file. This process is known as digitising.
Digitising is typically a one-time setup and may incur a charge depending on the artwork supplied.
Once created, your embroidery file is normally stored for future reorders using the same design.
We charge a one off fee for digitising at £15.00 per new artwork.
Embroidery does not support:
- Gradients
- Transparency
- Photographic images
Print and embroidery methods both have their own strengths, so some artwork may be better suited to one process than the other.
Where necessary, we may make minor adjustments to improve stitch quality, durability or overall production suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my design print exactly as I see it on screen?
The online designer is intended as a visual guide. The final result may vary slightly depending on garment type, print method, scale and screen settings.
What if my artwork is poor quality?
If your file is low resolution, the print result may look pixelated or unclear. It is always best to upload the highest quality version available.
Can you help prepare my artwork?
Yes, we can review artwork and advise where needed. Charges for artwork recreation or cleanup can be added depending on the work required.
Why does embroidery cost more on some logos?
Embroidery is based on stitch count and complexity. Larger, denser or more detailed logos take longer to run and use more thread.
Can every logo be embroidered?
Not always exactly as supplied. Some logos may need slight simplification, resizing or spacing adjustments to stitch cleanly.
Need help with your artwork?
If you are unsure whether your design is suitable for print or embroidery, send it over before ordering and we will point you in the right direction.
Contact Branza