The best artwork for a clothing label starts with a clear original file, the finished dimensions and a reliable colour reference. The design also needs to suit the production method: a logo that looks good on screen may need changes to work as a small woven label, a printed satin label or a swing ticket.
Send the best file you already have and explain what you want to make. GB Labels can review the artwork for your chosen product and advise on any changes before production.
What should you send with your artwork?
- Label type: woven, printed, a swing ticket or another branding product.
- Finished size: width and height in millimetres, with any fold or sewing allowance identified.
- Original artwork: the clearest source file available, plus a viewable reference if useful.
- Colour information: the background and design colours, with full references where available.
- Application: where the label will sit, how it will attach and any important care requirements.
If you are still choosing the production method, our printed versus woven label guide explains the main differences.
Vector and raster artwork: what is the difference?
Vector artwork describes shapes, lines and curves, making it useful for logos that need resizing. Raster artwork uses a grid of pixels, as in a photograph or a typical JPG or PNG. Its suitability depends on the available detail and the intended output size.
| File | What to check |
|---|---|
| AI / EPS | Useful source formats for logo artwork. Check that any placed images and fonts are included or handled correctly. |
| Can contain vector artwork, pixel-based images or both. Check the actual content and export quality. | |
| JPG / PNG | Pixel-based files. Send the clearest original for review at the intended label size. |
A file extension alone does not establish production quality. Putting a small JPG into a PDF does not turn it into a clean vector logo. Adobe's raster and vector overview explains the distinction.
This table is a guide to file characteristics, rather than a promise that every upload route accepts every format. Check the selected product's upload instructions or ask our team.
Check image quality at the finished size
Use the original artwork where possible. Screenshots, social-media downloads and repeatedly saved JPGs can lose useful detail. A larger file size does not automatically mean a better image.
For raster artwork, pixel dimensions and physical print size work together. Enlarging a small image cannot reliably recover missing detail. Ask for the resolution needed for your particular product rather than applying one setting to every label.
If your designer supplies editable artwork, ask them to include linked images and handle fonts appropriately in the production copy. Keep an editable master so future changes can be made.
How should you specify colours?
Identify the background and each design colour separately. If you have a Pantone reference, supply the full reference, including its suffix. A photograph of a colour or a screen display can help explain your intention, but should not be treated as a precise physical standard.
Pantone's coated and uncoated guide explanation shows why the reference system matters: ink can look different on different paper surfaces. Threads, satin and card also create different finished appearances, so agree how important colours will be matched and assessed.
A reference does not guarantee an identical result across every material or process. Woven labels use yarn colours; printing depends on the chosen material and printing method. Discuss critical brand colours and any sampling requirements before approving production.
Make text and fine detail readable
Check lettering, thin lines, small gaps and contrast at the actual finished dimensions. Point size alone does not establish legibility: different fonts have different letter shapes, heights and stroke widths.
For woven clothing labels, very small lettering or intricate detail may need simplifying or enlarging. Ask for an artwork review instead of relying on a universal minimum font size.
Printed satin labels can suit fine detail, and the available full-colour digital option can reproduce artwork such as gradients or photographs. Confirm the selected process; those options should not be assumed for every printed product. Colour-count and detail limits depend on the specification.
Allow for folds, sewing and attachment
Show the label's overall dimensions and the visible design area. Keep important text and logos clear of stitch lines, folds and cut edges. A design centred on the whole label may look off-centre once part of it is folded or sewn into a seam.
Our guide to label folds explains common constructions. For swing tickets, use the correct template and mark the hole position, front, reverse and any areas reserved for stickers. Confirm bleed and safe-area instructions for the chosen product.
What should you check on the proof?
Review spelling, dimensions, proportions, colours, orientation and the space needed for attachment. Compare the proof with your intended use, rather than checking only whether the logo is present.
Ask what the approval covers. A digital layout can show content and positioning, but a screen cannot establish the exact feel, texture or physical colour. If you need a sample made with your artwork, confirm its availability, cost and effect on the timetable.
Where a label or ticket includes a QR code or barcode, check the data and final printed scanning requirements as well. Our swing ticket content guide covers layout and QR-code considerations.
A final label artwork checklist
- Choose the intended product and identify the finished dimensions in millimetres.
- Send the clearest original file, with linked images and fonts handled appropriately.
- Identify the background, design colours and full colour references.
- Check lettering and fine details at the actual size.
- Allow for folds, stitch lines, cut edges or attachment holes.
- Review the proof and confirm any sampling or artwork adjustment costs before production.
Label artwork FAQs
Do I need professional design software?
No. Send the best file you have, tell us the product and dimensions, and ask for an artwork review. Our team can explain whether adjustments are needed and confirm any associated costs.
Is a PDF always a vector file?
No. A PDF can contain vectors, raster images or a mixture. The artwork inside the file needs checking.
Will a Pantone reference guarantee an exact match?
It gives a useful colour target, but the material and production process affect the result. Agree the matching approach and approval method for your project.
Need help preparing your artwork?
Send GB Labels your artwork and requirements. Include the product, quantity, dimensions, colour references and intended attachment. Our team can assess the design, recommend a suitable specification and explain the next steps.
