What makes artwork actually print-ready? (so art doesn't bounce)

A huge share of "the print came out wrong" problems start upstream, in the file. Here's what "print-ready" actually means so your art stops bouncing back and forth.

Vector vs. raster:

• Vector (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) scales to any size with clean edges — ideal for logos, text, and spot-color prints. Prefer it whenever possible.
• Raster (PNG, JPG, PSD) is pixels — fine for photo-real DTF/DTG, but it must be high resolution at the final print size (aim for ~300 DPI at actual size). A tiny web logo blown up to 12" will look terrible; you can't add detail that isn't there.

Color:

• Know your process. Spot-color screen printing needs separated colors (often Pantone/PMS called out); process printing (DTF/DTG) works in CMYK/RGB but should be color-managed.
• For screen printing, each color = a screen, so the color count directly drives cost.

The usual gotchas:

• Outline your fonts (or send the font) so text doesn't reflow on another machine.
• Transparent background for DTF/DTG (a PNG with real transparency, not a white box).
• Check the size and placement — send it at the intended print dimensions.
• Mind thin lines and tiny text