Artwork Guidelines for Branded Workwear:
File Formats, Vectors & Logo Preparation
Artwork Requirements at a Glance
For Printing (Screen print, DTF transfer print): Vector file required, EPS, AI, SVG, or vector PDF, with all fonts outlined.
For Embroidery: high-resolution raster file accepted (JPG, PNG, PDF) — see our guide to choosing the best file format for embroidery for full details.
No Vector File?: Don't worry, our team will be able to redraw this for you.
Approval Process: Free digital mock-up sent for your sign-off before any production begins.
Typical Artwork Approval Turnaround: 2-3 working days.
Preparing your artwork for print or embroidery? This guide will assist you in designing and formatting your logo to get it print-ready before sending it our way.
We don't want your branded workwear order to be delayed, and neither do you. By following our simple guidelines below, you'll ensure that your logo is correctly prepared for garment application, helping to speed up the process so we can get your order to you as soon as possible.
What file format do I need for screen printing and DTF transfer printing?
For screen printing and DTF, we need a vector file of your logo ideally an EPS, AI, SVG, or vector PDF, with all fonts outlined. Vector files stay sharp at any size, from a small left-chest logo to a full back print, which is essential for clean edges and accurate colour separations.
Accepted file formats:
- EPS — industry-standard vector format, our preferred option
- AI (Adobe Illustrator) — native vector, ideal if you have the source file
- SVG — web-friendly vector, works well for most logos
- Vector PDF — versatile, but check it's genuinely vector (a PDF can contain a low-resolution raster image)
JPG, PNG, and other raster files aren't suitable for print. If you only have a raster version, a £7.50 redraw charge may apply and our in-house design team will recreate it as a print-ready vector.
Why fonts need to be outlined:
Outlining converts text into vector shapes, so your logo opens correctly on our system regardless of which fonts we have installed. In Illustrator: select all text and choose Type → Create Outlines. In Affinity Designer: Layer → Convert to Curves. Save a copy with outlined fonts before sending and keep your original editable file for future changes.
Not sure if your file is print-ready? Send it to our team and we'll check it before you place your order.
Artwork Guidelines for Embroidery
The guidelines for submitting a logo to be embroidered on your workwear products aren't as strict as those for printing, as the design will be digitised and changed into stitched.
You don't need your logo to be a vector in this case, and any standard image file format (JPG, PNG, etc) is acceptable.
However, we do ask that regardless of the file format, you send over the highest quality version of your logo as possible to get the best results.
How does the artwork approval process work?
Every order goes through a four-step artwork approval process before production begins. You'll see exactly how your logo will look on your chosen garments and have the chance to request changes before anything is printed or stitched.
The Four Steps:
1. You send us your artwork. Email your logo file to sales@essentialworkwear.com or attach it when placing your order online. See the file format requirements above for what we need.
2. We review and prepare your file. Our design team checks the artwork meets the requirements for your chosen branding method. If anything needs adjusting for example, redrawing a raster file as a vector for print,we'll let you know upfront.
3. We send you a digital mock-up. You'll receive a visual showing your logo applied to your chosen garments, with position, size, and colours clearly marked. This is free and there's no obligation to proceed until you're happy.
4. You approve, and we start production. Once you sign off on the mock-up, your order moves into production at our Dunstable factory. Branded orders typically ship within 7-10 working days of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does artwork approval take?
Most artwork approvals are completed within 2–3 working days of receiving your file. We'll review your artwork, prepare a digital visual on your chosen garments, and send it to you for sign-off. Production begins as soon as you approve the visual.
Can I see a mock-up of my logo on the garment before production?
Yes — every order includes a free digital mock-up showing your logo applied to your selected products, with position, size, and colours clearly marked. There's no obligation to proceed until you're happy with how it looks.
Can your team redraw or recreate my logo?
Yes. Our graphic designers can recreate logos from low-quality images, photographs, or rough sketches. The standard redraw charge is £7.50 and covers converting your logo into a print-ready vector format. We'll send you the redrawn version for approval before applying it to your order.
Can you match Pantone colours?
We can match Pantone colours on screen printing. For embroidery, we match thread colours as closely as possible from our available thread library, let our team know your Pantone reference and we'll confirm the closest match before production. Some variation is normal between digital colour values and physical garment reproduction.
Can I make changes after I've approved the mock-up?
Once you've approved the mock-up, your order moves into production and changes can't usually be made without restarting the process. If you spot an issue after approval, contact us straight away, we'll do our best to pause production if it hasn't started, but this isn't always possible.
NEED MORE HELP WITH YOUR ARTWORK?
We understand that not everyone has access to the correct software of the know-how to convert their logo into the correct format, so we're here to help.
Our specialist team of graphic designers are on hand to assist with your artwork, so that we can get your logo print-ready in a way that'll make it stand out on your chosen garments.
For any help or queries with your artwork, please send us a message in the chat box to chat to a member of our friendly team.