Source file
Original editable file, stable preview, artwork ID, filename, revision, fonts or outlines, linked assets, and transparent background where needed.
Free artwork approval CSV
Sportswear Logo and Artwork File Preparation Guide
Prepare one controlled artwork package for logos, sponsor marks, sublimation panels, prints, transfers, embroidery, patches, labels, packaging, and sample approval.
Direct answer
What artwork files should you send to a sportswear manufacturer?
Send the original editable logo or artwork when available, plus a stable visual preview. True vector AI, EPS, SVG, or vector PDF files are commonly useful for scalable logos and separations. If the design is raster, provide the original high-resolution file at the intended output size rather than a screenshot. State the artwork revision, rights status, production method, finished dimensions, color reference, garment panel, placement reference, and approved sample or strike-off. The supplier should confirm method-specific production requirements after reviewing the actual artwork and substrate.
Production intent
Decoration method, garment or item, fabric or substrate code, finished size, placement reference, orientation, and color target.
Approval evidence
Production file, strike-off or sample ID, review result, approver, approval date, evidence image, and open issue.
Usage authority
The buyer should confirm the right to reproduce every logo, sponsor mark, image, font, team crest, name, and licensed element supplied.
Reusable control sheet
Track one row per artwork application
The 35-field CSV connects each artwork to its style, colorway, source file, rights confirmation, method, substrate, finished size, placement, production file, sample evidence, approval status, and open issue. Delete the clearly marked illustrative row before entering a real project.
- Use a stable artwork ID for every logo, sponsor mark, number set, panel print, patch, label, hangtag, packaging mark, or other application.
- Duplicate the row when the same logo uses a different size, method, garment location, colorway, substrate, or production file.
- Do not mark artwork approved from an on-screen mockup alone when the production method, substrate, color, scale, or placement still requires physical review.
File decision
Choose the source file by what the artwork contains
A filename extension is not proof of usable production artwork. A PDF or SVG can still contain a low-resolution raster image, and placing a JPG inside an AI file does not make the image vector.
| Artwork source | Useful for | Checks before release |
|---|---|---|
| True vector artwork | Logos, line art, type, sponsor marks, simple icons, color separations, labels, and scalable placement variants. | Paths remain editable; fonts are supplied or intentionally outlined; linked assets are packaged; colors, revision, scale, and appearance are verified. |
| Raster artwork | Photographic content, textured art, painted effects, and other pixel-based imagery used by a compatible process. | Original pixel dimensions, effective resolution at final output size, background treatment, color intent, compression artifacts, edges, and process compatibility are reviewed. |
| Stable PDF preview | Human review of layout, placement, dimensions, notes, colorway, and revision without shifting page design. | The preview is not confused with the editable production source; filenames and revision labels match the source package. |
| Screenshot or web image | Early reference or discussion when the buyer does not yet have the original artwork. | Marked reference-only. Do not assume that enlarging, saving as PDF, or placing it in a vector application restores missing detail. |
Authoritative format references
Verify the artwork, not only the extension
Adobe's file guidance explains that raster images are pixel-based while vector graphics use paths that can scale without the same resolution loss. Adobe also documents that outlining text turns it into vector shapes and removes ordinary text editing, so keep an editable source copy before outlining a release file.
Method-specific handoff
The production method changes the artwork questions
Do not apply one universal file rule to every decoration process. Confirm the actual garment, substrate, machinery route, design detail, color count, and expected finish before releasing production artwork.
| Method | Artwork package | Approval focus |
|---|---|---|
| Full-panel sublimation | Editable panel artwork tied to the approved pattern or supplier template, color references, scale, repeat, orientation, player or sponsor variants, and stable visual proof. | Panel map, seam and cut interaction, color on the selected fabric, registration, size scaling, names and numbers, and assembled-garment appearance. |
| Screen print | Clean art with separable colors or layers, finished dimensions, placement, garment color, substrate, and an agreed production separation route. | Color and underbase plan where relevant, registration, fine detail, opacity, surface, curing result, stretch behavior where needed, and wash-test scope if agreed. |
| Heat transfer or DTF | Clean edges, correct transparency, finished dimensions, placement, color reference, and a source suited to the supplier's transfer workflow. | Edge quality, color, surface, adhesion, stretch or recovery behavior where relevant, handfeel, placement, and physical sample result. |
| Embroidery | Vector visual reference where available, finished dimensions, location, garment and color, plus any approved simplification direction. | Digitized stitch file and sew-out, thread colors, small details, text legibility, density, backing, distortion, orientation, and garment interaction. |
| Patch or badge | Vector shape, border, dimensions, colors, backing or attachment route, location, orientation, and separate art for each version. | Edge finish, shape, thickness, color, legibility, attachment, placement, surface effect, and approved physical sample. |
| Labels and packaging | Separate controlled files for brand, size, care, composition, legal text, hangtags, barcodes, stickers, bags, boxes, and carton marks as applicable. | Content ownership, target-market requirements, readability, material, dimensions, color, barcode data, SKU mapping, placement, and packing proof. |
Placement control
Define size and position from a repeatable reference
Descriptions such as “small left chest logo” or “move it slightly higher” cannot be audited. Record the finished dimensions, reference seam or panel, horizontal and vertical offsets, orientation, and the sample revision that proves the result.
Assign the artwork ID
Give every distinct application a stable code and include it in the tech pack, filename, placement sheet, sample comments, and approval register.
State the finished output size
Record width and height in one declared unit. If proportions must not change, say so; if the art varies by garment size, control each size rule explicitly.
Use an identifiable origin
Measure from a named seam, panel edge, center line, neckline point, label edge, or approved pattern reference instead of from an uncertain mockup boundary.
Separate colorway and method variants
Create separate controlled rows when artwork color, garment color, decoration method, substrate, dimensions, placement, or output file changes.
Approve the physical result
Link the released file to the strike-off, sew-out, transfer sample, patch sample, label proof, packaging proof, or garment sample actually reviewed.
Freeze the bulk revision
Record approver, date, decision, evidence, open exceptions, and the exact production file before bulk release.
Artwork preflight
Check the package before sending it to production
A short preflight prevents an old logo, wrong sponsor, unlicensed image, missing font, incorrect colorway, or unapproved placement from entering the sample or bulk file.
Identity
Style code, colorway, artwork ID, source filename, revision, date, and owner all match the active tech pack.
File integrity
Editable source is present, fonts and linked assets are handled intentionally, preview matches the source, and the file opens without missing content.
Rights
The buyer has confirmed permission for logos, sponsor marks, names, photographs, illustrations, fonts, and licensed brand elements.
Production scope
Method, substrate, finished size, placement, color reference, orientation, sample stage, and acceptance decision are recorded.
Continue planning
Connect artwork to the full product record
FAQ
Sportswear logo and artwork file questions
Can I send a PNG logo to a sportswear manufacturer?
Yes for early review, and sometimes for a compatible raster production workflow, but send the original high-resolution file at the intended output size. A true vector source is usually more flexible for scalable logos, separations, and placement variants. The supplier should confirm the actual method-specific requirement.
Does saving a JPG as PDF make it vector?
No. A PDF can contain vector paths, raster images, or both. Changing the filename container does not recreate detail that is missing from the original pixel image.
Should fonts be converted to outlines?
A released vector file can use outlined text to reduce font dependency, but keep a separate editable source with live text. Outlining changes text into shapes, so ordinary text editing is no longer available in that copy.
Do I need a separate artwork record for every colorway?
Create a separate row whenever the artwork color, garment color, method, substrate, dimensions, placement, orientation, output file, or approval evidence changes. One row can cover multiple colorways only when every controlled artwork condition is genuinely identical.
Can the supplier use a team crest or sponsor logo found online?
Do not treat online availability as reproduction permission. The buyer should supply authorized artwork and confirm the right to use every logo, crest, sponsor mark, image, font, name, and licensed element.
Ready for artwork review?
Send the product brief and controlled source files together.
Include the style, colorway, quantity, garment or item, method, substrate, artwork IDs, dimensions, placements, rights confirmation, and sample stage.