Common Issues with Product Artwork

For custom products, the production artwork is crucial, as it directly impacts the final presentation of the product. Therefore, we have compiled some important considerations for artwork preparation to ensure that your design can be smoothly transformed into a product.

1. What is a vector file? What is a raster file?

Image Files	Vector Image	Raster Image
Structure	Vector images are composed of lines, curves, and shapes defined by mathematical formulas. This means that each shape, color, and line is generated through mathematical calculations, allowing for infinite resizing. They are ideal for displaying graphics in very small or very large dimensions.	Raster images are made up of many small squares (pixels), each with a fixed color. The clarity of the image depends on the number of pixels; the higher the resolution, the more pixels, and the finer the image.
Resolution	Infinite resolution allows for arbitrary enlargement or reduction without distortion or blurriness. Suitable for printing, logo design, illustrations, and other applications requiring different sizes.	Raster images have a fixed resolution. When you enlarge a raster image, it loses detail and becomes blurry or exhibits jagged edges due to being composed of a limited number of pixels.
File Extensions	ai / eps / cdr / pdf	psd / jpeg / pdf / png / gif
Example	Edges are sharp and clear	Edges are jagged

2. Why can't I use the PDF file I provided?

A valid PDF file must be created and saved from a graphic design software. If a photo is simply dragged into the software and saved as a PDF, it will be an invalid file.
The quickest way to identify this is to open the PDF file and zoom in to the maximum. If there are no jagged edges, it is a vector file (usable). If there are jagged edges, it is a raster image (not usable).

Vector file (won’t blur when scaled up or down)

Raster file (will become jagged when enlarged)

3. What DPI is required for photos to produce products?

DPI (dots per inch): This term is mainly used in printing, indicating how many dots can be printed per inch. The higher the DPI, the more detailed the print. For example, an image at 300 DPI will print clearer than the same pixel image at 72 DPI.
Example
To create a printed badge sized 25x25mm, it is recommended to provide the following dimensions:
300 DPI, with a photo size of 50x50mm (the provided photo size should ideally be twice the product size, and not less than the actual size of 25x25mm).
If you cannot provide a 300 DPI photo, please send the best quality file you have for our evaluation. Even if the original file quality is poor, it can still be printed, but the clarity of the final product will be affected.

Bonus:

What is PPI? How is it different from DPI?

PPI (Pixels Per Inch): This is primarily used for digital displays (such as smartphones and computer screens) and indicates how many pixels are displayed per inch on a screen. The higher the PPI, the finer and more detailed the image appears on the screen.
DPI refers to print resolution, while PPI refers to screen resolution. When a digital image is converted to a physical print, DPI becomes critical as it directly impacts the print quality.

If the image size is the same on both the screen and the printed product, and the display’s PPI matches the print’s DPI, the result is approximately 1:1. For example, an image with 300 PPI printed at 300 DPI will maintain similar detail and resolution.

However, this scenario is rare in real life, as screen resolutions and printing resolutions are typically different. For instance, an image that looks sharp on a screen with 72 PPI may appear blurry and lack detail if printed at 72 DPI.

4. Common Questions about Ai (Illustrator Files)

Photos Are Not Embedded

When creating the artwork, if you insert a photo, please ensure that the photo is embedded in the document to avoid the following issues when the factory opens the file.

How to check if a photo is embedded in the design file:

(X) Not Embedded

Clicking on the photo will show a cross line.

(V) Embedded

Clicking on the photo will make the cross line disappear.

Converting Text to Outlines

Why should you convert text to outlines?

Prevent Font Missing Issues: When sending design files to the factory, if their computer does not have the same font, the displayed font may be replaced with another one. Converting text to outlines changes the text into vector graphics, eliminating the reliance on font files, so anyone can see a consistent appearance.
Maintain Design Consistency: Once converted to outlines, the text will not change appearance due to different system environments or software versions, preserving the integrity of the design.

Below are the indicators for when the font has not been converted to outlines.

How to Identify if Text has been Converted to Outlines

If the text has been converted to outlines, you will see a “blue thin line” surrounding the text, or multiple adjustable “anchor points.” This indicates that the text has been transformed into independent vector paths.

If the text has not been converted to outlines, these anchor points will not appear.

5. How to Check PANTONE Color number in the Design File

Click on the location of the color you want to check in the design (e.g., blue). Then, click on the color block in the upper left corner (blue), and a color swatch will appear below. The color indicated by the white thick border is the PANTONE color swatch you are currently querying.
Tip: If there is no black dot in the bottom right corner of the color block (red box 2), it is a CMYK mixed color swatch, not a PANTONE color.