How To Prepare Artwork For Printed Patch Hats
This article covers artwork requirements for getting great results for your Printed custom patches.
Patch Size
All the hats use the same size patch. It is 3.5" wide X 2.0" tall at it's highest point.
File Size
The ideal file size is 1350 pixels X 1494 pixels. This size file leaves ample room to properly fold your patch and achieve an "all over" effect.
File Resolution
Recommended file resolution is 300 DPI. Minimum acceptable file resolution is 150 DPI.
Patch Design Template
All hats use the same size and shape hat patch. You can download our artwork template below:
Using the hat patch template
We recommend opening the hat patch template as it's own layer, then adding your artwork as a new layer to the file. When you export your artwork, make sure to only export your artwork and not the template layer.
Everything within the outline will be prominently displayed on the patch. Make sure your artwork extends outside of the lines so when the patch is folded you get a true all over print. If your artwork doesn't extend outside the line our artists may improve your artwork to get the all over print aesthetic.
When you upload your artwork to the website you will still need to position it to look accurate in the digital mock up. To ensure more precise placement, email your artwork to
artist@apliiq.com with your order number.
What to do if your file is too small
Sometimes you may need to use existing design element to create your hat patch artwork. If your file is too small you still have options to make amazing happen.
- Consider keeping your artwork small and tiling it. This will create a repeating pattern that can look great as a custom hat.
- 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.
File Types
We recommend using .png files to submit your artwork via the website design experience; however, the website also accepts .jpg files. We are happy to accept vector and other artwork file formats as well which can be accomplished by adding high res artwork to your saved designs.
Patch Material
Hat patches are printed on white 100% woven cotton. The cotton is a matte white. If there is any transparency in your file it will be white when your patch is produced.
Patch Shape
The shape of the patch is a hexagon, because we have found this shape works best to match the curvature of the hats themselves.
Patch Printing
All hat patches are printed with sublimation printing. Sublimation printing can achieve super bright prints which fade very little over time with washing.
Photorealistic Artwork On Hats
Historically, there have not been great options for getting high resolution (photo realistic) artwork onto hats. Traditional methods of hat embellishment, like embroidery, simply don't support the level of detail within a photograph. However, printed patches do support very high detail and even photorealistic images.
Color preparation and matching
Disclaimer: When images are printed the colors may not match exactly what you see on your screen. Unfortunately, there are differences between how colors are rendered on a computer or phone screen versus how colors are constructed with patch printing.
Our artists do not color correct your artwork on your behalf, but there are steps you can take to improve the colors in your print.
read the color matching article to find out how. This article references pocket tees, but is relevant for hats too.
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