What Our Artwork Check Covers
We review your logo or artwork before production so the final result matches the item you are branding. That includes embroidered golf shirts, printed corporate wear, caps and promo items. The aim is simple: catch the small issues early, before they become expensive problems on a bulk order.
Our team checks whether the artwork is clean enough for the chosen method, whether small text will hold up, and whether the logo needs adjusting for chest embroidery, cap branding or large print. This is especially useful for schools and businesses ordering across eThekwini, where a 1 cm size change can make a badge too crowded or a sponsor name too thin.
- Logo sizing for embroidery, screen printing and heat press printing
- Colour matching guidance for thread and print colours
- Spacing, stroke weight and small text legibility
- Layout checks for left chest, back print and cap fronts
- File cleanup notes where artwork has rough edges or low resolution
How We Review Files Before Production
Once you send your artwork through the enquiry form on our contact page, we look at the file type, image quality and how it will behave on the product you chose. If the logo is meant for embroidery, we check stitchability first. If it is for print, we check edge clarity, tonal shifts and how it will sit on cotton or poly cotton fabric.
The review usually follows a practical sequence. First we confirm the intended item and branding position. Then we check the artwork against the production method and flag anything that may need a redraw, resize or colour adjustment. If a file needs digitising for embroidery, we pass it through our in-house process and keep the artwork aligned to the job order.
- Confirm item type, branding area and quantity
- Check resolution, edges and file format
- Test size against the actual print or stitch area
- Flag problems with gradients, thin lines or tiny lettering
- Approve the final artwork only when it is production ready
Specs We Check for Embroidery and Print
Different branding methods need different artwork standards. A logo that looks fine on a screen may not work on a cap peak or a left chest embroidery. For that reason we work to production specs that suit the item and the finish. This keeps the result clean and avoids fuzzy edges, uneven fills or colours that come out too dark or too light.
For embroidery, we look for bold shapes, clear outlines and enough space between letters. For print, we check whether the artwork has enough resolution for the size you need and whether there are any colour breaks that may show up badly on dark garments. Coastal humidity in Durban can also affect storage and handling of blank stock, so we check that the artwork matches the garment type we are actually working on, not just a generic mockup.
- Preferred artwork: vector files or high-resolution images
- Minimum print resolution: 300 dpi at final size
- Small text: best kept above 5 mm high for print and larger for embroidery
- Fine lines: avoid hairline detail below 0.5 mm for stitch work
- Safe area: allow clear space around logos so branding does not clip at seams, pockets or seams
Turnaround Times for Checks and Approvals
Standard artwork checks are handled as part of the quoting and production prep process. In many cases we can review simple artwork the same day, especially for repeat orders or jobs with clear specifications. If the logo needs cleanup, redraws or embroidery digitising, the turnaround depends on the complexity and how quickly you approve the revisions.
We also offer an optional 24 hour turnaround on suitable rush jobs. That works best when the artwork is already in good shape and the order details are confirmed early. If you are in Umhlanga, Westville, Pinetown, Ballito or nearby, getting the artwork sorted quickly helps us keep the rest of the order moving without delays. Please note, rush jobs may carry a surcharge and artwork with major changes can take longer than expected.
- Simple artwork checks: often same day
- Revision requests: depends on complexity and approval speed
- Rush jobs: optional 24 hour turnaround on qualifying orders
- Bulk orders: allow extra time for approvals before production starts
Pricing Approach For Artwork Review
We keep pricing practical and linked to the actual work involved. A straightforward logo check for a repeat order is usually lighter than a file that needs size corrections, redraws or stitch planning. The price may also change if the artwork will be used across several items, such as shirts, caps and promo items in one order. No two logos are exactly the same, and some need a bit more prep before they are ready.
Where possible, we quote with the full production picture in mind so there are no surprises later. That means we look at the number of colours, the brand placement, the quantity and whether the artwork will need multiple versions for different items. It keeps the job honest and helps you budget properly, which matters when you are ordering uniforms for a school, club or staff team.
- Basic checks are quoted simply and clearly
- Complex artwork or redraws are priced after review
- Repeat orders may need only minor adjustments
- Bulk orders can be priced across the full job, not just the artwork stage
Keeping Artwork Ready For Future Orders
Once your artwork has been checked and approved, it is worth keeping it in good order for future reprints or re-embroidery. We recommend a fresh review any time the logo changes, the garment changes, or the branding size is different from the last order. For regular corporate wear or school uniform reorders, a quick check every 6 to 12 months helps keep colours and sizing consistent.
If you have multiple departments, branches or teams, we can help keep versions tidy so the same logo is not getting used in different forms by mistake. That avoids confusion when you are ordering for Durban North one month and Ballito the next. Clear artwork records also make packing and reordering easier, especially when you need the same item count again after a staff intake or event.
- Recheck artwork after any logo update or name change
- Review again when changing garment type or colour
- Do a maintenance check every 6 to 12 months for active brand sets
- Keep one approved version per branding method to avoid confusion
Key facts
| Service area | Durban North, Umhlanga, Westville, Pinetown, Ballito, La Lucia, Mount Edgecombe and Hillcrest |
|---|---|
| Artwork formats | Vector files preferred, or high-resolution images at 300 dpi |
| Best use | Embroidery, screen printing, heat press printing and cap branding |
| Minimum fine detail | Avoid stitch detail below 0.5 mm and very small text under 5 mm for print |
| Typical turnaround | Same day for simple checks, with optional 24 hour turnaround on suitable rush jobs |
| Pricing basis | Quoted according to artwork complexity, number of items and production method |
