Screen printing artwork preparation in Kenya starts with three decisions: the size of the printed design, the number of ink colours, and the garment it will appear on. Agree on those before approving a quote. A logo that looks clear in a WhatsApp preview can still need rebuilding before it can produce a clean print.
This guide is for the person handing over artwork for staff shirts, an event run or reusable promotional clothing. It focuses on avoiding preventable file and approval mistakes. For the production options themselves, see Mocky's screen printing service. For an order using several branding methods, start with the merchandise overview.
Start with the actual print specification
Write a short specification before sending files. Include garment type, fabric composition if known, garment colour, quantity by size, print positions and required delivery date. State whether you are supplying the garments or asking the printer to source them. A chest logo and a large back message need separate dimensions and separate approval.
Do not describe the design only as “A4 size.” That leaves uncertainty about orientation and whether the artwork should fill the entire area. Give the intended width and height in centimetres. If a mark is deliberately narrow, state its width and allow the printer to confirm the proportional height.
For example, an illustrative brief could request 60 navy cotton T-shirts with a two-colour chest logo and a one-colour back message. Those numbers describe a planning example, not a Mocky minimum order or a promise about price. Ask whether one print size works across the smallest and largest garments in that specific order.
Send an editable source, not just a screenshot
A vector original is useful for logos and lettering because its shapes can be scaled and separated without relying on a fixed pixel grid. Send the original design file plus a PDF reference that shows the approved appearance. Ask the production team which file formats they can accept before transferring the final package.
A PDF is a container, not proof that the design is vector. A screenshot placed inside a PDF still has the same underlying limitations. Likewise, renaming a JPG file does not turn it into editable artwork. If the only surviving logo is a social media image, say so early and request an artwork assessment rather than assuming it is ready.
For photographic designs, provide the original image rather than a compressed messaging-app copy. Confirm the required image resolution at the final print dimensions with the printer. Enlarging a small image changes its size but cannot recreate missing detail. Keep the original files available until production has been approved and completed.
Count ink colours and print positions separately
Screen printing uses separate screens for the colour layers in a design. ScreenPrinting.com's production guide explains why colour separation is part of preparing the artwork. A colourful digital logo can therefore need a different production plan from a simple single-colour mark.
Ask for a written breakdown of the proposed ink colours for each position. A front logo and a back message should not be treated as one indistinct “branding” line in the brief. State whether sleeves or individual names are required, because those change the job and may call for another method.
If your budget is tight, ask the designer to prepare an approved one-colour alternative. Do not let someone casually remove colours from the logo without checking the result. The alternative should remain recognisable and legible. Compare the complete quotations for the approved versions, including artwork work, garment supply and delivery, rather than judging only the headline unit amount.
Check dark garments, fine detail and gradients
A design approved on a white screen background can behave differently on navy or black cloth. Ask how the chosen inks will look on the actual garment and whether an underbase is needed. Approve a proof that names the garment colour rather than relying on a white-page logo preview.
Small text, thin outlines and tiny gaps deserve particular attention. Print the design at its proposed physical dimensions on ordinary paper as a readability check. This does not simulate ink on fabric, but it quickly reveals a phone number or tagline that is already too small to read comfortably before production begins.
Gradients and photographic effects require a discussion about separations or an alternative process. Do not flatten a complex illustration and assume that every shade becomes a straightforward spot colour. Ask the printer to recommend a workable approach and explain any simplification. For a short full-colour run, compare the proposed screen-print solution with heat transfer printing.
Resolve fonts, spelling and brand colour references
Supply a reference proof with the exact wording, punctuation and phone number. Where the production team requests outlined type, keep an editable master separately so future corrections remain possible. Confirm that the final output has no missing fonts or substituted characters, particularly in slogans and names.
A colour seen on a phone is a useful conversation starter but a weak acceptance standard. Send any established brand colour references and ask what matching process is available for this job. If colour accuracy is essential, discuss a physical sample and its approval before committing the full quantity. Avoid treating a screen preview as a guarantee of an exact fabric result.
Use one version name consistently. A filename such as team-shirt-front-approved-v3 is more useful than final-final-new. Put the approval date in the accompanying message and clearly withdraw superseded files. If several managers are reviewing the artwork, nominate one person to consolidate their corrections before production starts.
Approve a proof with measurable details
The approval should identify the garment, print location, design dimensions, ink colours and artwork version. A mockup alone can hide scale errors because a shirt illustration may not represent the garment supplied. Ask for dimensions written beside the design and confirm how placement will be measured.
For a new supplier or an unfamiliar garment, discuss a pre-production sample. Agree whether it is included, separately charged or impractical within the delivery window. If no sample will be made, record what you are approving and what uncertainty remains. A clear approval helps both parties, especially when delivery is tied to a fixed event date.
Check the first article against the specification before a large run proceeds where that arrangement is available. Examine legibility, alignment and the appearance of the ink on the actual fabric. Separately agree on any wash or durability check, its timing and who signs off. A digital artwork approval and a durability assessment answer different questions.
Use a handover checklist to reduce revisions
Send one organised folder or transfer link containing the editable master, reference PDF and any original photographs. Add a short order sheet rather than scattering the specification across several messages. Include the contact for approval and the date by which that person can respond.
Identify the garment model or attach a clear reference photograph.
List quantities by garment colour and size.
Specify each print position and its dimensions.
Name the approved artwork version and intended ink colours.
Flag any gradient, fine text, individual name or number.
Confirm whether a physical sample is required.
Ask for the proof approval deadline and delivery arrangements.
Keep the approved files after collection. A reorder should reference the earlier job and ask whether the garment, ink and artwork specifications still match. Do not assume an old screenshot is enough to reproduce the result. If the design changes, request a revised proof even when the quantity stays the same.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send my logo on WhatsApp?
You can use a preview to start the discussion, but send the original as a document or through a file link when available. Ask the printer to confirm that it is suitable at the intended print size. A sharp preview on a small screen does not establish production quality.
Must every design be vector artwork?
No. Photographic artwork can be used in appropriate workflows, but it needs suitable source quality and a production method that can reproduce it. Vector originals are especially helpful for logos, lettering and clean shapes. Let the printer assess the design before promising a particular result to your team.
Does fewer colours always mean the cheapest order?
Colour count is one factor. Quantity, garment choice, print positions and preparation also matter. Request comparable written specifications so a cheaper option does not quietly remove a print position or substitute a different garment. Confirm the total payable in KES and what it includes.
What should I send Mocky to request a quote?
Send the design, quantity, garment details, print dimensions, positions and deadline through the branding and print quote form. Ask for an artwork review and a clearly specified quotation before authorising production. That gives the team enough information to identify file problems while they are still inexpensive to correct.
Plan the budget separately
For context before requesting a specification-based quote, read our related pricing guide. Confirm current prices with the team for your exact order. Keep the material and artwork requirements in the brief so any price comparison covers the same deliverable.
