Files & garments — everything you need to know about supplying
A good print starts with good supply. On this page you’ll learn how to deliver your design files, and when and how you can supply your own garments — including the intake form we use for that.
Supplying files
Which file formats?
We prefer vector files: Illustrator AI or EPS. These let us print at any size without quality loss, and colour management is straightforward.
Resolution and size
Photos: minimum 300 DPI at actual size · Vector: scalable, no DPI debate · Don’t do this: scale a 72 DPI web image up to 300 DPI in Photoshop. The result is blurry.
Colours — Pantone precision
We work to the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Specify PMS codes in your file or email. Example: “Logo in PMS 2945C, background PMS 021C”.
Things to be aware of per technique
Screen printing — Per print colour we make a separate screen. More colours or print positions = more setup and printing cost. Gradients are printed as halftone rasters.
How to send your file?
By email to verkoop@visualprint.nl — mention project or company in the subject · Large files (>10 MB) via WeTransfer or similar services · Cloud shares (Dropbox, Google Drive) work too — make sure to grant download rights
Common mistakes
❌ Submitting a JPG as “vector” — JPG is always raster ❌ 72 DPI image from a website — too low resolution for print ❌ RGB file for screen printing where we have to CMYK-translate — colour loss. Better to supply CMYK directly or specify PMS codes ❌ Fonts not converted to outlines — we don’t have your font, your text becomes something else ❌ Print designed across side seams — can’t be printed, choose a seamless t-shirt
Need design help?
No design or just a sketch on paper? We have an in-house designer who can help — ask in your quote. From €60 for logo work up to complete merchandise designs.
Supplying garments
Our main rule: we supply the garments
In nearly all cases we supply the garments ourselves. We work through multiple wholesalers (Falk & Ross, TopTex, Ralawise) and can source almost any European brand — Stanley/Stella, B&C, Bella+Canvas, Mantis, Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, AS Colour, Blåkläder, and more.
When can you supply your own garments?
By arrangement, for specific exceptions:
Which print techniques are possible on customer-supplied garments?
For customer-supplied garments — depending on composition, treatment and desired result — we can offer:
What we can't guarantee
For customer-supplied garments we cannot give an unconditional adhesion guarantee. We always do a test first:
What we ALWAYS need — the intake form
For every customer-supplied-garment project we need this information before we can quote:
Liability for own-supplied garments
When you supply garments yourself, the following applies:
Intake form for own garments
For every own-supplied project we fill out this form together. You can also fill it in beforehand and send with your quote request.
Don’t feel like a form? Email verkoop@visualprint.nl with this info per item:
We respond within one working day with a quote or follow-up question.
Frequently asked questions
Preferably not. We get that you may have garments lying around, but mass-market retail clothing often has unknown coatings that affect adhesion. We strongly recommend ordering through us — comparable brands and quality, often cheaper than retail, and guaranteed print-suitable.
Yes, that’s the exception. Send us the shirt specs via the intake form — we’ll check if we have experience with that brand and which technique works best.
Then fill in “don’t know”. We check the product datasheet if available, otherwise run a test on one piece. No shame — we’d rather have honest uncertainty than a wrong answer.
Embroidery works on most textiles because it bonds mechanically rather than chemically. Send a photo of the item with label and desired position, and we’ll advise.
By default we make 1 sample print and 1 wash test free with an order from 25 pieces. Below that we charge testing costs separately (from €25 per technique test).
Then we look for an alternative technique together (e.g. embroidery instead of screen printing), or advise different garments through us. If neither works, your investment is limited to the testing costs.
Why Visualprint
Honest advice
Advice on materials and techniques or processes — without preference for one specific technique.
Everything in-house
Screen printing, embroidery, DTF, discharge, sublimation and our specialties. From Pantone colours in direct screen printing to up to 15 colours in embroidery.
Our own R&D
We actively develop our own specials and explore new formulations. Got a special wish? Just ask.
45+ years of experience
Family business with short lines and a wealth of in-house knowledge. Since 1980 in Leidschendam-Voorburg.
Ready to start your project?
File ready and clear about garments? Get a quote.
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or email us: verkoop@visualprint.nl if you’d rather discuss before ordering.