How to Prepare Your Artwork File for Custom Silk Printing
Quick answer: Artwork for custom silk printing should be submitted as a high-resolution file at 300 DPI at the actual print size of the scarf, in RGB colour mode, as an AI, PDF, PSD, TIFF, or PNG file. For a 90 × 90cm scarf, this means approximately 10,600 × 10,600 pixels. Allow 1–1.5cm bleed on each edge. Colour references should use Pantone TCX, not Pantone C.
Most artwork problems in custom silk printing are discovered at the worst possible moment — when the sample arrives and something is wrong. Resolution that looked fine on screen. Colours that drifted unexpectedly. A detail that disappeared at scale. Every one of these is preventable. Here is how.
Preparing artwork for silk is not the same as preparing it for paper. The substrate is different, the dye chemistry is different, the scale is usually larger, and the way colour behaves on natural fibre does not follow the same rules as ink on a coated surface. Understanding these differences before you submit a file is what separates a smooth production run from a frustrating one.
If you are new to silk printing, start by reading our guide on designing for silk to understand how your design will behave on the fabric before you prepare the final file.
Why does silk require different file preparation?
Silk is printed using industrial inkjet technology with acid or reactive dyes — the professional standard for natural protein fibres. Unlike sublimation printing (which is used for polyester), acid and reactive dyes bond chemically into the silk fibre itself rather than sitting on the surface. The result is colour with exceptional depth and vibrancy that is genuinely part of the cloth. But this process is less forgiving of file errors than paper printing.
On paper, a slightly soft image can sometimes be rescued by the ink sitting on the coated surface. On silk, the dye penetrates the fibre. There is nothing to compensate for a low-resolution file or an incorrect colour mode. What goes in is what comes out, scaled across the full dimensions of the scarf.
What resolution does a silk scarf artwork file need?
The minimum requirement is 300 DPI at the actual print size of the scarf — not at a reduced scale, and not as a label in the file properties that does not reflect the true pixel count.
The maths is straightforward: multiply the scarf’s dimensions in centimetres by 118 (the number of pixels per centimetre at 300 DPI) to arrive at the pixel count needed. For the most common scarf sizes: a 90 × 90cm scarf needs approximately 10,600 × 10,600 pixels. A 65 × 65cm scarf needs approximately 7,700 × 7,700 pixels. A 45 × 200cm long scarf needs approximately 5,300 × 23,600 pixels.
What file formats are accepted for silk printing?
Vector files, specifically Adobe Illustrator AI and high-quality PDF, are the preferred format for designs with clean graphic elements. Raster files — PSD, TIFF, or PNG — are the right choice for painterly, photographic, or mixed-media artwork. JPEG files are acceptable but only at the maximum quality setting.
Should artwork be in RGB or CMYK for silk printing?
RGB is the correct colour mode for digital silk printing. This surprises many designers who are accustomed to switching to CMYK for any print production work. Digital textile printing uses RIP (Raster Image Processor) software that is optimised to receive RGB files and translate them into the correct dye output for the specific fabric and ink combination. The recommended colour profile is sRGB IEC61966-2.1.
How should colour references be provided?
If specific colours are critical, colour references should be provided in Pantone TCX, the Textile Cotton eXtended system. Pantone C (coated) is calibrated for coated paper and will not accurately predict how a colour behaves on silk. Read our existing guide to colour accuracy in custom silk printing for more detail.
Even with correct TCX references, some variation is inherent. Because silk reflects light more than cotton, colours on silk often appear richer and more saturated than the same TCX reference on a cotton swatch.
What about bleed and safe zone?
Unlike paper printing, where a 3mm bleed is standard, fabric cutting operates with a larger tolerance. For silk scarves, allow a bleed of 1 to 1.5cm on each edge. Keep any important design elements at least 1cm inside the intended finished edge of the scarf.
What about text in the design?
If the artwork contains text, convert all text to outlines before submitting the file. In Adobe Illustrator: Select all text, then go to Type → Create Outlines.
The most common mistake in artwork submission
The most common error we see is a file that has been correctly labelled at 300 DPI but does not contain the pixel count to support that label at the actual scarf size. The reliable check: open the file in image editing software, set the canvas to the actual scarf dimensions with no resampling, and read the DPI value. If it falls below 200 DPI at the scarf size, the file will need to be rebuilt from a higher-resolution source.
We check every artwork file we receive before it goes to print. If we find a resolution issue, we will flag it and discuss options before anything moves forward.
If you are unsure whether your artwork is ready for silk production, the simplest thing is to send it through and ask.
Send us your artwork for a review →
Frequently asked questions
What resolution does artwork need to be for silk scarf printing?
Artwork should be a minimum of 300 DPI at the actual finished size of the scarf. For a 90 × 90cm scarf, this means approximately 10,600 × 10,600 pixels.
Should artwork be in RGB or CMYK for silk printing?
RGB is correct for digital silk printing. The recommended profile is sRGB IEC61966-2.1.
What file format should I use for custom silk scarf artwork?
For graphic or vector-based designs: Adobe Illustrator AI or PDF. For painterly, photographic, or mixed-media artwork: PSD (flattened), TIFF, or PNG. JPEG at maximum quality only. Convert all text to outlines before submitting.
What Pantone colour system should I use for silk printing?
Pantone TCX (Textile Cotton eXtended). Not Pantone C (coated), which is calibrated for paper.
How much bleed does a silk scarf design need?
Allow 1 to 1.5cm of bleed on each edge — larger than the standard 3mm used for paper printing.
Related reading: The complete guide to ordering custom silk scarves in New Zealand · Designing for silk: what looks good on screen vs what works on fabric · Colour accuracy in custom silk printing