How to Configure the Production File Output for a Decoration Process

Production Settings determine how artwork is prepared for production for each decoration process. They allow you to define acceptable artwork resolution, choose the file formats available for production downloads, and configure format-specific options such as cropping, transparency handling, and team name output.

In This Article

• Prerequisites
• Why configure Production Settings?
• Open Production Settings
• Configure artwork DPI settings
• Configure the Production Format
• Configure the Alternative Format
• Best Practice Tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional Resources

Prerequisites

Why configure Production Settings?

Production Settings let you tailor artwork output to the requirements of each decoration process.

Benefits include:

• Provide customers with immediate feedback when uploaded raster artwork is too low or too high in resolution.
• Prevent poor-quality artwork from being produced.
• Automatically generate artwork in the formats required by your production workflow.
• Optimize downloaded artwork by cropping unnecessary whitespace where appropriate.
• Produce different artwork formats for different production equipment or operators.

Open Production Settings

1. Log into the Admin area.
2. Select Decoration Processes.
3. Click the decoration process you want to configure.
4. Select the Production Settings tab.

Configure artwork DPI settings

The DPI (dots per inch) settings define the acceptable resolution range for raster artwork uploaded by customers.

1. Locate the Production DPI section.
2. Set the Minimum DPI.
3. Set the Maximum DPI.
4. Save your changes.

Minimum DPI determines the lowest acceptable resolution before customers receive quality warnings.

For example:

• Use a lower minimum DPI for decoration processes that tolerate lower-resolution artwork.
• Use a higher minimum DPI (such as 200–300 DPI) when only high-quality artwork should be accepted.

The maximum DPI defines the upper resolution threshold used when evaluating uploaded raster images.

Configure the Production Format

The Production Format is the primary artwork format used when downloading production files from Business Hub.

Important: Bulk artwork downloads always use the Production Format.

1. Select the desired production File Format.
2. Configure any available options for the selected format.
3. Save your changes.

Available options depend on the selected file format.

For raster formats such as PNG, options may include:

• Crop the artwork to remove unnecessary whitespace.
• Convert transparent areas to white.
• Include a background color.
• Apply an area shape.
• Control how team names are exported.

Vector formats such as PDF, SVG and EPS provide different configuration options appropriate to those formats.

Configure the Alternative Format

The Alternative Format provides a secondary artwork download format for production staff.

When viewing an individual order in Business Hub, both the Production Format and Alternative Format are available for download.

1. Select the desired Alternative Format.
2. Configure any format-specific options.
3. Save your changes.

A common workflow is to configure:

• Production Format: PNG for bitmap-based printing processes such as DTG or DTF.
• Alternative Format: PDF, SVG or EPS for vector-based workflows.

Using different formats gives production staff flexibility while ensuring bulk downloads always use your preferred production format.

Best Practice Tips

• Choose a Production Format that matches your primary production workflow, as this format is used for bulk downloads.
• Avoid configuring the Production Format and Alternative Format to use the same file type unless there is a specific business requirement.
• Use PNG for raster-based printing methods such as DTG and DTF.
• Use PDF, SVG or EPS when vector artwork is preferred.
• Enable image cropping for print methods where removing excess transparent space improves production efficiency.
• Review DPI settings periodically to ensure they match your production quality standards.

Troubleshooting

Customers receive low-resolution artwork warnings

The uploaded raster image is below the configured minimum DPI. Upload a higher-resolution image or reduce the minimum DPI if appropriate for the decoration process.

Bulk downloads produce the wrong file type

Bulk downloads always use the configured Production Format. Change the Production Format if a different file type is required.

Cropping options are unavailable

Some options are only available for specific file formats. For example, PNG includes cropping options, while vector formats provide different settings.

FAQs

What is the difference between the Production Format and Alternative Format?

The Production Format is the primary artwork format used for bulk downloads. The Alternative Format provides a secondary download option when viewing individual orders.

Should both formats use the same file type?

Generally, no. Using different formats gives your production team greater flexibility.

Can I use different settings for different decoration processes?

Yes. Production Settings are configured independently for each decoration process.

Why do available options change when I select a different file format?

Each file format supports different production options. Raster and vector formats have different capabilities, so the available settings change accordingly.

Additional Resources

• DTG Printing Production Settings
• Sublimation Production Settings
• Embroidery Production Settings
• Screen Printing Production Settings
• Transfer Production Settings
• Rhinestone Production Settings
• DTF Printing Production Settings
• UV Printing Production Settings