Aussie Bot Studio · Custom orders · DTF print
Artwork guide
We print custom orders with DTF (direct-to-film). Use these sizes and tips when you can — and if the file isn’t perfect, we’ll help (upscale, halftone, cleanup, AI prep) then send mocks for approval before print.
Free DTF prep tool
DTF Halftone — soft-hand black or white knockout
Shops charge for this kind of prep. Ours is free: knock out black for dark tees or white for light tees, half-tone midtones, download a transparent PNG + white underbase. Runs in your browser — artwork never leaves your device.
Also: Tools hub · Print size templates
Print sizes
| Placement | Max size (inches) | Max size (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Large front or back | 15″ × 19″ | 381 × 483 mm |
| Chest logo | ~3.5″ × 3.5″ | 90 × 90 mm |
| Tee sleeve | 3″ × 5″ | 76 × 127 mm |
| Hoodie / long sleeve sleeve | 5″ × 14″ | 127 × 356 mm |
Chest logo is measured in millimetres (90 × 90). That’s about 3.5 × 3.5 inches.
DTF tips — look, feel & wash
- Transparent background. Export PNG (or vector) with no white box. DTF prints the ink you send — leftover backgrounds become a stiff white patch you can feel and see.
- Clean edges. Soft fades and tiny speckles can print as rough film edges. Use sharp paths or tidy anti-aliasing; crop out empty space around the art.
- Avoid huge solid blocks. Big filled rectangles feel thicker and can crack sooner. Prefer graphics with open space, or break large fills into design areas.
- Line weight. Keep thin strokes about 1 mm+ at print size so fine detail survives press and wash. Hairlines often disappear or flake.
- Text. Bold / medium weights hold up better than ultra-light scripts. Small type should stay readable at the real print size (not just on screen).
- Contrast on dark garments. DTF lays white undercolour automatically — bright colours and light art pop on black. Very dark-on-dark designs can look muddy; bump contrast if you need them to read.
- Fewer layers of ink feel. Extremely dense, multi-layer artwork prints thicker. Flatten where you can; don’t stack unnecessary overlapping fills.
- Washability. Turn garments inside-out, cold/warm wash, no harsh bleach, low heat dry or hang. Avoid ironing straight onto the print. Good prep + good care = longer life.
File tips
- Best: vector (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) or high-res PNG with transparent background.
- Resolution: aim for 300 dpi at the final print size (not a tiny logo stretched up).
- Colour: RGB is fine for review; we’ll convert for DTF print.
- One placement per file when you can (front, back, sleeve separate) — easier to size correctly and keep edges clean.
- Send: WeTransfer, Google Drive, or Dropbox link on the order form.
We help finish your artwork
Send what you’ve got — rough PNG, phone photo, or a clean vector. For DTF we may upscale, tidy edges, halftone where it helps the hand-feel, and use AI / other prep tools so the print looks sharp, sits softer, and washes better. You don’t need print-ready files on day one.
- We prep for best look, feel, and washability on DTF.
- We send mocks for your approval before anything goes to print.
- Nothing ships to press until you say yes (or ask for a tweak).
What happens next
- You build the order and paste your artwork link.
- We review and prep the files for DTF (upscale / halftone / cleanup as needed).
- We send a mockup — you approve or tweak.
- Only then do we print.