You do not need to be a designer to get this right. This guide explains what to look for in your files, what to send, and how to sort common problems before they reach the garment.
The best file to send
A vector file is ideal. It is built from lines and shapes rather than pixels, so it can be scaled to a cap or a jacket back without losing sharpness. Vector files usually end in .ai, .eps, .svg or .pdf saved from design software.
If you only have a picture file, send the largest, clearest version you have, ideally a PNG with a transparent background. Avoid logos copied from social media or email signatures, as these are usually small and compressed.
Where to find your files
Ask whoever designed your logo, your sign maker, your printer or your web designer. They often hold the original artwork. Check old emails for a 'brand pack' or folder of logo files. If none can be found, a logo can be redrawn from a clear image, but it is worth checking the redrawn version carefully at proof stage.
Colours: be specific
Screens show colours differently, so a 'dark blue' can mean many things. If you have brand colour references, such as Pantone numbers, include them. Embroidery thread and print inks are matched as closely as possible, but a perfect match is not always achievable on every fabric.
Think about contrast too. A navy logo on a navy polo disappears. Many firms keep a white or one-colour version for dark garments and hi-vis.
Detail that does not survive
Some features look fine on a letterhead but cause trouble on clothing, especially at chest size in thread.
- Very small text, such as straplines and phone numbers
- Hairline outlines and thin script fonts
- Gradients, shadows and photographic effects in embroidery
- Lots of colours in a small space
- Fine white gaps between shapes
Checking your proof
Kingston Branding sends a proof of your logo to approve before anything is made. Check spelling, colours, size and position on each garment. Look at it at actual size, not zoomed in, as that is how people will see it. If a strapline is too small to read, now is the time to drop it or move it to a back print.
Where to put your logo
Prepare two versions if you can: a full logo for print and a simplified one for embroidery, with fewer colours and no tiny text. Add a one-colour version for hi-vis and dark garments. Send everything you have in one email to [email protected] with a note of which garments it is for. The proof you get back will show how each version sits on each garment before production.
