This document provides essential guidelines for preparing your mug design for printing and managing supporter expectations, ensuring maximum quality.
Artwork File Preparation
The clarity and resolution of your design are crucial. Follow these guidelines for sublimation printing on mugs:
Format and Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution (DPI) | Minimum 300 DPI (dots per inch) | Low DPI results in a blurry or pixelated design on the final product, especially if the image is scaled up. |
| File Format | PNG with transparent background | Using a transparent PNG is vital to prevent a white or colored "box" from being printed around your design. |
| Color Mode | RGB (or sRGB) | Designs uploaded to our system should be in RGB, as it is the standard color space for monitors. Our printing software converts this to CMYK, so it's best to start with RGB. |
| Dimensions (Canvas Size) | Use the product template provided by Fourthwall | The template ensures the design fits the printable area correctly without distortion. |
Managing Color and Tone Expectations
The color printed on the mug will always be a bit different than the color you see on your screen. This is even more so for dark mugs.
The "Darker Print" Rule
- Expectation vs. Reality: The ink transferred onto the mug surface (sublimation) tends to be darker and less saturated than it appears on a backlit screen.
- Recommendation: When designing, adjust your art to be slightly brighter and more vibrant than you want the final product to look. This helps compensate for the natural darkening in the printing process.
- Dark Backgrounds: If you use a very dark background (black, navy, etc.), ensure that the text or light elements placed on top have enough contrast to be easily visible.
Size and Variant Verification
Always double-check that the product variant selected matches your design expectation.
- Common Variants: Review whether your design works well on 11 oz mugs versus 15 oz mugs. The same design will need to be resized for each variant, and this can affect the perceived clarity or size of the elements.
- Printable Areas: Confirm that the design correctly fits the printable area of the specific mug style.