This article covers artwork requirements for getting great results for your custom woven labels.
The total size of a woven label cannot be larger than 4 square inches. We offer a
variety of standard sizes that work with horizontal, square, and vertical logo orientations.
We recommend uploading your artwork to the website as a .png. The website also accepts .jpg, .gif, .bmp, or svg. We are happy to accept higher resolution artwork via email. Please email your order # and high resolution artwork to
artist@apliiq.com.
Files must be provided at the size you need woven label. If you need 2" x 2" woven label, your artwork should also be set to 2" x 2" at 300 dpi.
You can use the following templates to further prepare your artwork files and achieve more precise control over your woven label design. Using the templates are not required, if you prefer to upload your artwork and design with the online design tools, an Apliiq production artist will help you finalize your woven label design.
Level Of Detail Within Artwork
Woven labels can be used to create detailed shapes, text, and artwork. However, because custom woven labels create your artwork by weaving threads together, there are physical limits to how intricate details can be within your artwork. The smallest a single stitch can be is 1mm or ~.03". This means that the smallest level of detail within your artwork must be at least 1mm. If your artwork contains details smaller than 1mm our artist will update your file to ensure your artwork can be created as a woven label, this may alter the look of your design.
Notice how the tips of the stars aren't as "sharp" in the finished product.
Artwork Effects Not Supported
Due to the fact woven labels are created from woven threads, not all types of artwork possible in a digital medium can be supported in a woven label.
- Label artwork must use flat colors without gradients.
- No highlights or drop shadows.
- No inner glows or outer glows.
- Any other effects that create or utilize gradients.
Guidance For Fonts & Text
Remember, your text and fonts will be created out of thread so you want to take precautions to ensure your text is legible.
Font Height
In order for text to be legible it must have a minimum height:
- Recommended Minimum Height: 10pt font
- Acceptable Minimum Height: 9pt font if spaced out enough
- Not Acceptable Height: less than 9 pt
Please note that different fonts may have different height requirements.
Letter Spacing & Legibility
You should also give additional thought and care to letter spacing, or tracking, to ensure your text is legible. Generally speaking, the best fonts for woven labels are cursive letters where each letter is connected in script. The thread will continue between each letter and be more legible. The next best fonts are san-serif fonts because there are less pieces to each letter and are more easily legible. Serif fonts are not recommended at small scales, but if you intend to use one, we recommend adding additional space between each letter for visibility and clarity around each letter.
Woven Label Colors
We offer a variety of thread colors to achieve the most accurate color representation for woven labels. The
apliiq color chart shows our available thread colors. If your art requires specific thread colors, please send an email them to
cs@apliiq.com to request a quote for custom woven label colors.
Maximum number of colors
Woven labels can have up to 5 colors. If your artwork requires more than 5 colors you can request an estimate by emailing
cs@apliiq.com.
Seam Allowance (empty space around your logo)
We typically recommend no less than ⅛” setback for stitch allowance. That means that we require a border around your artwork so that we may sew your label onto the garment without stitching through your artwork. The stitch is set in about 1/16”, so ⅛” border gives plenty of space for your artwork to be the focus of the label!
What to do if your file is too small
Sometimes you may need to use existing design element to create your artwork. If your file is too small you still have options to make amazing happen:
- Try locating a larger version of your file.
- Our artists can vectorize your artwork for you so it can be properly scaled up. We are happy to do this free of charge, in most cases the artwork will be altered slightly.