A clean, well-prepared logo file is the single biggest factor in how a uniform shirt turns out, whether the logo is embroidered or printed. Running through a short checklist before you order helps avoid delays and a result that does not match what you had in mind.
1. File Format
A vector file (such as an AI, EPS or PDF built from vector shapes) reproduces most cleanly at any size, since it is not made of pixels that blur when scaled. If you only have a logo as a low-resolution image pulled from a website or document, it is worth checking whether a higher-resolution or vector version exists elsewhere in your business before ordering, since this is the most common reason a logo needs rework before production.
2. Colour Accuracy
Know your brand colours precisely, ideally as specific colour codes rather than "blue" or "green". This matters more for printing, which can reproduce a wide colour range, than for embroidery, where thread colours are matched to the closest available shade. If your brand has an official colour palette or brand guideline document, having it on hand when you place your order makes colour matching faster and more accurate.
3. Simplifying for Embroidery
If you are choosing embroidery, check whether your logo has very fine detail, small text or subtle gradient shading, since these do not translate well into stitching. A simplified version of your logo, with cleaner lines and fewer colours, often embroiders more clearly than the full detailed version used elsewhere, such as on your website or business cards. Our comparison of embroidery vs screen printing goes into this in more depth.
4. Placement and Sizing
Decide where the logo should sit on the shirt, for example on the chest, sleeve or collar, and roughly how large it should be relative to the garment. Being consistent about placement and size across every shirt in a batch, and across future reorders, is what keeps a growing team looking uniform rather than slightly mismatched over time.
5. A Confirmed Proof Before Full Production
For a first order, or any time you are changing colour, placement or finish, it is worth reviewing a proof before the full batch is produced. This is the easiest point to catch anything that does not match what you intended, and it is far simpler to adjust before production than after an entire team's shirts have already been finished.
Keeping a Record for Future Orders
Once your first batch of uniform shirts is approved, keep a record of the exact file, colours, placement and finish used. This makes it straightforward to match later reorders as your team grows, without needing to re-approve every detail from scratch. Our guide to sizing and ordering uniforms for a growing team covers how to plan for repeat orders as your business expands.
Ready to Prepare Your Order
If you are not sure whether your current logo file is ready for uniform printing, our team can review it and advise before you order. Reach out through our contact page with your logo file and we will help you get it ready for production.
