Graphic Design Terms: What is a PNG File?
When you are submitting artwork for custom apparel or clear window decals, your printer will likely ask you for a PNG file rather than a standard JPEG. For business owners without a design background, this distinction can be confusing, but using the wrong file type will result in an incredibly ugly final product.
The Power of Transparency
A PNG file handles background pixels differently than standard image files.
- The Definition: PNG stands for Portable Network Graphic. Its most important feature is that it allows for completely transparent backgrounds.
- The JPEG Problem: Standard JPEG files cannot have transparent backgrounds. If your logo is a circle, a JPEG file will automatically place a solid white box behind it to fill the corners.
The Raven32 Recommendation
A white box completely ruins the look of custom apparel. As printing and promotional experts, our golden rule is this. Always upload PNG files for t-shirt printing. If you upload a JPEG, that invisible white box will actually be printed onto the fabric, leaving you with an ugly white square printed around your logo. Contact our prepress team today for help formatting your artwork.