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mycopunk-swag/docs/design-guidelines.md

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Design Guidelines

This document covers technical requirements and best practices for creating print-ready designs for mycopunk merchandise.

General Requirements

File Formats

Format Use Case Notes
SVG Source files Preferred for all designs; scales infinitely
PNG Print exports Transparent background, 300 DPI
JPEG Photo-based art Only when transparency not needed

Resolution

All exports must be 300 DPI minimum.

Product Physical Size Pixels @ 300 DPI
T-shirt (front) 12" × 16" 3600 × 4800 px
T-shirt (chest pocket) 4" × 4" 1200 × 1200 px
Hoodie (front) 14" × 16" 4200 × 4800 px
Sticker (small) 3" × 3" 900 × 900 px
Sticker (medium) 4" × 4" 1200 × 1200 px
Sticker (large) 6" × 6" 1800 × 1800 px
Art print (8×10) 8" × 10" 2400 × 3000 px
Art print (11×14) 11" × 14" 3300 × 4200 px

Color Profile

  • sRGB for all designs
  • Avoid CMYK (POD services convert automatically)
  • Be aware colors may shift slightly in print

Transparency

  • Use transparent backgrounds for most designs
  • POD services can apply designs to any color product
  • Exception: full-coverage prints (all-over print shirts)

Sticker-Specific Guidelines

Types

Type Description Best For
Die-cut Cut to shape of design Logos, characters
Kiss-cut Cut on backing, easy peel Complex shapes
Rectangle Standard rectangle cut Text-heavy designs

Design Tips

  1. Bleed area: Add 1/16" (0.0625") bleed around edges
  2. Safe zone: Keep important elements 1/8" from edge
  3. Minimum line width: 0.02" for visibility
  4. White border: Add 1/16" white border if design touches edges

Prodigi Sticker Specs

# Standard kiss-cut vinyl sticker
format: PNG
resolution: 300 DPI
color_mode: sRGB
background: transparent
max_file_size: 25 MB

Apparel-Specific Guidelines

Print Areas

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│           T-SHIRT FRONT             │
│                                     │
│    ┌───────────────────────┐        │
│    │                       │        │
│    │   MAX PRINT AREA      │        │
│    │   12" × 16"           │        │
│    │   3600 × 4800 px      │        │
│    │                       │        │
│    │                       │        │
│    │                       │        │
│    └───────────────────────┘        │
│                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│         CHEST/POCKET AREA           │
│                                     │
│    ┌─────────┐                      │
│    │ 4" × 4" │  Left chest          │
│    │         │  1200 × 1200 px      │
│    └─────────┘                      │
│                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Design Tips

  1. Avoid edges: Design won't print to garment edges
  2. Consider fabric color: Light designs on dark shirts, vice versa
  3. Simplify gradients: DTG printing can struggle with subtle gradients
  4. Minimum details: Small text/lines may not print clearly
  5. Test at actual size: Print a test at 100% scale before ordering

Printful Apparel Specs

# Front print area
format: PNG
resolution: 300 DPI
dimensions: 3600 × 4800 px (12" × 16")
color_mode: sRGB
background: transparent
max_file_size: 200 MB

Art Print Guidelines

Paper Types (Prodigi)

Type Finish Best For
Matte No glare Photos, illustrations
Glossy Reflective Vibrant colors, pop art
Fine Art Textured Museum-quality pieces

Sizing

Standard sizes match common frames:

  • 5" × 7"
  • 8" × 10"
  • 11" × 14"
  • 16" × 20"
  • 18" × 24"

Bleed & Safe Zone

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │  ← Bleed (0.125")
│ ▒ ┌───────────────────────────┐ ▒ │
│ ▒ │                           │ ▒ │
│ ▒ │     SAFE ZONE             │ ▒ │  ← Safe zone (0.25" from trim)
│ ▒ │     Keep text/important   │ ▒ │
│ ▒ │     elements here         │ ▒ │
│ ▒ │                           │ ▒ │
│ ▒ └───────────────────────────┘ ▒ │
│ ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
         ↑ Trim line

Inkscape Workflow

New Design Setup

  1. Create new document: File > New
  2. Set document properties (Ctrl+Shift+D):
    • Units: pixels
    • Width/Height: Per product specs
    • Scale: 1 px = 1 px
  3. Save as .svg in design directory

Export Settings

# CLI export command
inkscape design.svg \
    --export-type=png \
    --export-dpi=300 \
    --export-background-opacity=0 \
    --export-filename=design-300dpi.png

Batch Export Script

#!/bin/bash
# scripts/batch-export.sh

for svg in designs/**/*.svg; do
    dir=$(dirname "$svg")
    base=$(basename "$svg" .svg)
    mkdir -p "$dir/exports/300dpi"

    inkscape "$svg" \
        --export-type=png \
        --export-dpi=300 \
        --export-background-opacity=0 \
        --export-filename="$dir/exports/300dpi/${base}.png"
done

GIMP Workflow

For Raster Designs

  1. Create new image at target pixel dimensions
  2. Set resolution: Image > Print Size > 300 pixels/inch
  3. Work in RGB mode
  4. Export as PNG with transparency

Converting GIMP to Print-Ready

# Export from GIMP command line
gimp -i -b '(python-fu-export-png RUN-NONINTERACTIVE "input.xcf" "output.png")' -b '(gimp-quit 0)'

Quality Checklist

Before exporting, verify:

  • Resolution is 300 DPI or higher
  • Dimensions match product requirements
  • Color profile is sRGB
  • Background is transparent (unless intentional)
  • No text too small (minimum 8pt at print size)
  • No lines thinner than 0.5pt
  • Bleed area included where required
  • Important elements within safe zone

Validation

Run the CLI validator before pushing:

mycopunk design validate stickers/my-design

# Output example:
# ✓ Resolution: 300 DPI
# ✓ Dimensions: 900 × 900 px (3" × 3")
# ✓ Color profile: sRGB
# ✓ Transparency: Yes
# ✗ Warning: Design extends into bleed area

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