Client Art/Design Submission

Art and design submitted to Screen Prints NFK is the most import aspect of the initial request for service here. The client being satisfied and seeing the execution of their vision as intended or better is top priority, but in order for that to happen, established guidelines and standards that both parties can adhere to need to be provided in detail. Concept, composition, layout, graphic strength, and integrity combine in a balanced and timely manner to produce a product everybody is happy with within reason. As a client, purchasing agent, and/or graphic designer/artist responsible for artwork submission and approval, please read over the basic guidelines below.

THE SHORT VERSION:

Art submitted should be a 300dpi jpg, png, tif, pdf, svg, ai, or psd email attachment that is already saved with the dimensions you want the print to be. If you have branding specific pantone codes please include them in the email as well. Include all available design assets and job details in your email, and understand that a change after locking in on the final is not “but what I meant was…”, it is an alteration that may be subject to additional design fees, thanks for understanding. If this is familiar and it isn’t your first rodeo, congratulations, you just tested out and graduated!!!. Easy.🎖🏆 Send your job brief to [email protected] or you can start with the SPNFK guided quote form here.

THE SUPER VALUABLE LONG VERSION PRIMER FOR FIRST TIMERS AND “REFRESHEES”:

(This is an important 10-15min read that will save you time and probably money. If you need humanized assistance and clarification not contained on this page, SPNFK is just a call or email away.)

Section List
(click on section to focus or continue)

• Basic requirements for art/design submission
• Art Submission Checklist
• Client Art File Rights & Privileges
• Mission Accomplished & Contact for further inquiry
• What Comes Next After Art Approval?

Design Guidelines

Art and design to be placed on garments, accessories, and hard goods (promotional products, signs, vehicles, etc.) is not a simple marriage of vision and execution. A balanced combination of flow, fit, placement, and detail resolution is needed for everything from a basic text logo to a multi-colored panorama so that the end product is a print application that has lasting style and quality a client can be satisfied with. Screen Prints NFK is in the business of creating lasting relationships and providing value. This mission goal needs art and design that supports this initiative in the beginning stages of the client approval process. Please read to understand what’s needed to go from concept to materialization at SPNFK:

Basic requirements for art/design submission: 

• Art/Design can be submitted in three formats:
  • Vector. SPNFK is a native .SVG file shop as it is the global standard for vector design for print and web. Other vector files accepted: .EPS, .PDF, .AI
  • Raster. File types accepted: .JPG, .PNG, .TIF, .PDF, .EPS, .PSD
  • Traditional. Hand drawn, inked, or painted artwork can be professionally scanned or photographed at SPNFK.

• SPNFK has several print processes and price points that can cover a numerous amount of colors.

• Detail is important. All art/design submitted in raster format must be between 300-600dpi with art dimensions at or close to the desired print size (height X width, inches or millimeters). If you need assistance understanding what “dpi” is please read here. To get a basic understanding of how much dpi matters, please note the following examples:

If the client is not design or tech savvy when deciding what to submit, it is okay, just send it and SPNFK will assess the file details and respond with if a better sample is needed, what art fees apply to bring the sample to print readiness, or glorious praise over file clarity and quality that doesn’t require extensive art fees, getting the job to press and in their hands faster.

• If the client is particular about color, please check here for guidance on PANTONE® colors and submit the appropriate codes on the details page of the .pdf, in a separate text file, or email. Text, IM, or vocal request without an SPNFK signed acknowledgement amendment is not accepted nor are such communication avenues binding.

• If a client is particular about a font, SPNFK requires that the font name be identified in the quote submission email/form. Font hunting can take 30 seconds or it can take 3 hours. If the name of the font can not be sourced, the solutions available at SPNFK for font resolution can be found here.

• If a client submits a watermarked stock photograph or online design and novelty marketplace asset as part of their design composition, Screen Prints NFK will request proof of license. Details on this part of the submission process can be found here. Screen Prints NFK nor it’s parent corporation is in no way liable for licensed designs submitted for unaltered/unmodified reproduction without permission and such materials will be discarded without proof of license/ownership.

• SPNFK does not accept screenshots, saved browser images, or pics of other design work as print-ready art. These submissions are automatically considered concept brief images and art/design fees will be billed accordingly.

• Basic lettering layouts using existent fonts that are either already in use here at the shop, provided by the client, or easily sourced free of charged w/ no license restrictions do not incur art fees up to three rough draft submissions. After that the standard art fees of $65/hr apply.

• SPNFK is a CMYK and Sim Process capable shop. The base art fees of $65/hr apply to vector spot color supplied files. Rarely do vector art fees go over 3-4hrs and that is for files submitted with tons of unorganized objects and layers by respectful necessity or willful disregard after initially being referred to these guidelines. If a raster image is submitted that needs separation resolution trials, usually there are few to none layers and objects. Please understand that although SPNFK is passionate about overcoming obstacles and challenges, raster separations my take more than 3-4hrs to process and will be quoted up front accordingly.

• Combining spot vector with raster in one file automatically defaults to a raster separation scenario unless the raster elements are all collectively one color and the client accepts these elements may have pixelated edges and details compared to vector objects in the same file.

• Arts fees for DTF Heat Press Transfers have an average of $65 or less for requested reasonable modifications and are not charged at all for unmodified Online Designer and Email attachment WYSIWYG uploaded files, including AI submissions. All multicolor AI submitted files automatically default to DTF.

• All text in vector file formats need to be converted to outline prior to saving and submitting.

• The smallest details can not be finer than 0.25pt (0.0035 inch). Rarely do screen prints call for this level of detail, it would surely get lost standalone in textile fibers, but when compiled with other details ranging up in size on hard goods it matters. Submitting a 1200dpi file of a zoomed out music festival shot and expecting to see the sweat beads on the foreheads of all 20,000 party-goers on a printed onesie is not going to happen. We can still try though 😂

• SPNFK does majority of it’s digitizing of embroidery files in-house. Clients may submit their own embroidery files for approval. Upon review, only professionally digitized files will not only be accepted but also APPRECIATED as digitizing has a set rate and sometimes takes a bit longer with several additional preview stitchouts needed at no additional cost to ensure quality of service. Files already tuned to the client’s satisfaction and provided on their behalf is a bonus that also waives the digitizing fee. Any embroidery files that have stitch placement and quality issues will be rejected with a clearly stated reason why so that the client fully understands. At this time the option to have it professionally digitized in-house will be offered and is based on design detail. File types accepted for embroidery review:
  • .DST (Industrial/Commercial Tajima format)
  • .PES (Home/Retail Brother format)

• Please include all desired thread colors in the email or attached separate text file with the same filename as the embroidery file. 

• Concept art submission for on-site wall, vehicle, storefront window & signage, or chalk menu graphics can be any file size and resolution as long as it’s clearly text legible and detail readable. SPNFK compiles a professional rendition post invoice-clearing for translation, approval, and application. Applicable art fees are included in these jobs by default, but additional art fees will apply for changes in excess of 3 pre-approval incoming client communications, and any post-approval change requests. This is non-negotiable and there are no default exceptions.

Art Submission Checklist

• Art saved in vector or raster format at the desired print size and 300dpi minimum.

• ALL TEXT COVERTED TO OUTLINES when using the vector format.

• Provide desired stock colors located here and/or Pantone PMS numbers located here for each color in your art

• Specify print locations and any customizations such as names, numbers, designations, and colorway changes as it pertains to particular garment/accessory size/style/color range(s).

• Include all imported/placed files used to compile a layered format file.

• Art files over 5mb coming from non-Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo email addresses will need to be zipped for transfer or submitted through the online quote form here. Various webhost or corporate/fed local network SMTP servers can have strict transmission rules that either strip the file or block emails carrying the attachment altogether over a certain size. Windows and Mac both have file archiving zip utilities that compress larger files for email transfer or if it’s easier an upload link to the shop’s Google Drive folder is available by request.

• When in doubt, send your file as a PDF with correct DPI and print size settings, all text converted to outlines. If the client or their designer/artist uses Adobe software such as Photoshop or Illustrator and has elements combining vector and raster on different layers, please flatten all special effects on their respective layers then flatten all raster layers as much as possible, combine same color vector objects (test and spot color shapes) on their respective layers and save as a version 1.4 PDF before submitting.

• SPNFK does not accept sole existing original files on physical media drives, but will allow on-site copying from said drives. Any photography or scanning of traditional media for job processing at Screen Prints NFK is sole property of Screen Prints NFK with rights and usage of the original traditional media still the sole property of the original designer/artist or client withholding.

• Traditional art and design scans/photos sent via email/quote form MUST BE A 300dpi MINIMUM RESOLUTION.

• Confirm the art was received as intended.

Client Art File Rights & Privileges

IMPORTANT!

• Screen Prints NFK bills art and design fees at a reduced Illustration industry rate to get jobs print ready and into production HERE at this shop, not to be handed off at firesale prices and get done at Wanda’s DTF Discount Barn or wherever. SPNFK isn’t discounting realized man-hour valuation for this fantasy option, the clients acknowledgement and understanding of this is preemptively appreciated at the onset.

• The client does reserve the right to satisfy the standard illustration rate remainder should they wish to legitimately take possession of the master files used to process the job at SPNFK. Should they choose to do so, a billing invoice will be sent via email and once cleared, the master final files and an accompanying official rights and ownership transference document will be sent via email.

• The client understands that whether they were initially referred to this page for submission guideline acknowledgement or not, if they have not been billed and satisfied the full Illustration rate, they have no default material rights to art files.

• Clients have no default material rights to separations, screens, consumables, personnel, and equipment associated with their particular job.

• Should an instance of inquiry or stated expectation arise concerning these particular non-existent material rights and privileges, a reference to this page for review and understanding will be communicated via email/text once, and the subject will not be entertained any further on behalf of Screen Prints NFK.

Mission Accomplished

The goal at Screen Prints NFK is to provide quality product and service on time for clients under terms and conditions both parties can move forward with. Constantly providing value is a top focus here and shaping these guidelines for client art submission and preparation is the result of years of execution and experience with that being the primary inspiration. If there are any more inquiries not addressed on this page concerning art submission, please do not hesitate to call +1 (757)598-2498 or email [email protected].

What Comes Next After Art Approval?

Proofing!!! Visit the Screen Prints NFK Proofing Process Guidelines here.

Screen Prints NFK looks forward to working with you!