The Digitize Image Guide — Perfect Every Print

While the print-on-demand business model has long since taken over eCommerce, it’s becoming more difficult for merchants to stand out. Every single day, thousands of new vendors begin their POD adventures.

With this in mind, one of the best ways to boost sales is by using original artwork. Indeed, instead of following the mob and ripping off someone else’s design, it’s a better idea to create, draw, sketch, or photograph something entirely new.

Then, follow this guide to put that artwork onto products as beautifully as possible. Let’s go over how to make your store’s designs shine brighter than anyone else’s.

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Simplicity

Technical processes don’t have to be complicated. In the Printify world, things are designed to be incredibly user-friendly.

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Profitability

When you use new material, that means more profits — instead of giving that money to a designer, artist, or integration (like Shutterstock).

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Individuality

It makes more sense to develop your brand along a consistent, personal theme, rather than copying another brand’s artwork.

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24/7 Support

We’re on your side every step of the way. If you can’t figure something out, please get in touch. We’ll do our best to be of assistance.

Digitization – What Does it Mean?

This is the process where a merchant takes artwork and converts the image, design, drawing, etc., into a language that printing and/or embroidery machines can understand — in digital storage.

Then, those professional service printers and sewers can use that information to create, print, and sew that piece of artwork onto various print-on-demand products.

How can I Digitize an Image?

This comes down to getting artwork into a digital copy on a computer. The fastest ways here are to take a picture or use a scanner (or even a specialized film scanner). This process can even work for an entire photo collection.

Of all the tips below, be sure to use a high-resolution save. Sometimes, people upload digital copies, but then translate them over to a lower quality formatting. Be sure to keep this from happening.

1. Photographing in the Digital Age:

Consider using these details when shooting. They all add up to a significant difference in the final product’s outcome. Please be aware, these are recommendations, not necessities.

Use a timer, rather than pressing the button. Sometimes, a small shake can occur in the camera — resulting in a slight blurring effect.
Use clear, even lighting. If there is shadowing or shading, things could render improperly.
Avoid using flash. This can cause a reflection to shine unevenly from various colors or angles.
Shoot your photo albums (or individuals) at the highest resolution possible for your camera. This way, you’ll be able to work with more sizes on products.
Line up the camera’s lens with the middle of the artwork being shot. With this in place, the framing of the artwork will come out better.

ISO + Aperture: These camera settings adjust how sensitive the camera is to light by adjusting the dimensions of their diaphram. To digitize the image crisp and clear, consider using a lower ISO. Studios often shoot at ISO 100 or so.
DSLR Tip: For these devices, it may be a good idea to use an f-stop (light allowed into the lens) of f-8 to f-10.

2. Scanning to Digitize an Image:

Unlike some conventional printers, scanners are usually pretty easy to use. Unfortunately, they’re traditionally limited to an A4-size (piece of writing paper) scanning area. So, you’re more limited than a photo in scope when walking down memory lane.

What you See vs. What you Get

People see colors differently than computers do. This means that the version of an image uploaded to a computer may change. This is because there’s a massive disconnect between physically creating a color on a t-shirt, hoodie, mug, etc., relative to projecting colored light.

But, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t quality work going on. It’s just a logistical reality that can be easily fixed.

How Computer Screens Read: Red Green Blue (RGB)

This is how a computer screen projects various colors. Every device is powered from a light source within that shines those rays through various segments of color. It’s called the additive color model.

First only a dark light is shown. But, by adding controlled tones of (you guessed it) red, green, and blue, a wide range of colors can be created. However, even with the current reaches of technology, we are yet unable to recreate the diversity and wonder of the human eye within a screen. Nature still manages to amaze.

How Printing Computers Create Merchandise:

This is how printing machines create colors on a garment or product. Unlike merely projecting a color, physically creating a colored ink and causing that ink to bond with various fabrics is a bit more complicated. As such, the large-scale printers that create print-on-demand products rely on combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black).

While screen-based processes use the additive concept, physically creating an image relies on subtractive mixing. This begins with a pure white, with colors subtracted as layers of cyan, magenta, yellow, and balck are removed until the proper color is uncovered.

Troubleshooting Early Problems

When you upload, scan, or transfer a printed photo or image over to be digitized, you’ll usually be looking at an RGB (human vision) picture. Keep in mind, this will usually be transferred over to CMYK once it’s in digital files.

So, one of the best ways to make sure your artwork comes out looking the same on both sides is to use CMYK from the beginning. This provides the most accurate final products.

Uploading Images to the Mockup Generator

It’s possible to upload a printing file as either a JPEG or PNG. Please be aware the both files have differing capabilities.

JPEG: Supports RGB, sRGB, and CMYK for all Printify products. Transparent backgrounds are not supported.
PNG: Supports RGB and sRGB for all Printify products. Transparent backgrounds are supported.

Why You Should Digitize Images

Well, because it translates to more defined niche targeting, higher customer traffic, increased sales, and better business orientation.

Let’s break that down. Using digitized images and unique branding helps you:

Define your Niche: A niche is the group of people you’re specifically trying to sell merchandise to. One niche could be fans of outer space… Here, it’d be a good idea to create a few intergalactic designs and digitize them onto some products. Then, when these individuals see how cool your cosmic collection is, they’ll be drawn in. Any time a person wears, displays, or uses your gear in public, that’s great (free) advertising.
Attract End-Customers:There are so many bad designs out there right now. The eCommerce environment has long since become saturated with waves of inferior, substandard merchandise. This sets a merchant’s products up to stand out. These items are new — unique — interesting. People like buying new things.
Boost Sales: When more people come into a store (virtual or otherwise), the likelihood of them purchasing also increases. Furthermore, a store’s items will have improved aesthetic appeal. This directly impacts sales volume.
Improve Operations: Putting in an honest, earnest effort pays dividends regarding the development of a store’s brand. The implementation of such business practices plays a significant role in merchant success, enjoyment, and motivation.

Consider some Post Production

After a piece of artwork has been securely uploaded to a computer, this brings out the option to digitally improve or change things. It is possible that some elements were converted during the digitization process. So, be sure to check for these differences.

While there are tons of amazing editing software out there, these packages can get pretty expensive. Fortunately there, several free or inexpensive options exist. For those on tighter budgets (students, parents, and really everyone), here are some quality, bang-for-you-buck contenders:

Fixing Quality, Resolution, Print File, and DPI Problems

It’s almost like these terms were designed to be confusing: file size, dots per inch (DPI), resolution, or quality, etc. Well, they all boil down to how good an image looks on a screen (and in print). The idea is that the contents of a file are translated into a digital form readable by a printing or embroidery machine.

When you upload an image to the mockup generator, it’s possible that a “Low Resolution” alert pops up. This means, obviously, that there are some problems. Here’s how to fix that:

1. Scale the design size down. This will improve resolution immediately.
2. Recreate the design using less demanding elements.
3. Choose a different design.
4. Retake the picture. Often, this one is the key to digitizing photos.

Now, it is possible that none of these solutions serve. If that’s the case, try to implement some of these helpful resolution pointers:

Dots per Inch (DPI): As a general rule, use a DPI of 300 for the majority of products. However, some larger items may need a DPI of 120 -150.
Cover the Print Area Fully: When you do this, the machines will never crop, shift, or change your design around.
Check Pixels: You can find the pixel size near the upload button in the mockup generator.
Use Consistent Metrics: There are different ways of measuring the same printing area. For example, these are all measurements for large direct-to-garment (DTG) printers:

300 dots per inch
4500 x 5100 pixels
15 inches by 19 inches

Double Check Images: Even when you think everything has gone perfectly, it’s worth a second look. It takes very little time.
Don’t Exceed 50 MB: Just don’t go bigger. That complicates things.
Tinker and Improve: Sometimes, a small twak can be the difference between a piece of great art and an average one. Furthermore, variations of pieces are a stellar way to solidify branding opportunities. They show the development of the brand’s image over time.

How long does it take to digitize?

The first time a product is digitized, the conversion can take some time. However, after that first digitization, every following order will go through immediately — as long as the orders have the same sized design size.

What to do with Digital Photos?

Here, the hard part is done. If you want to digitize your photos, just select the product you’d like to work with from the Printify catalog, upload the desired photo into the mockup generator, and you’re good to go from there.

What to do with Digital Photos?

As mentioned above, the easiest way to digitize photos is by using a scanner or taking a photograph. There are several useful hints, tips, and tricks above that could be of use here.

Easy

But what if you’re not a designer? Well, there are quite a few ways around that particular obstacle. Feel free to check out a few of our favorite:

Shutterstock

This is a digital library containing millions of high quality images. If you find a photo you’d like to work with, their pay-as-you-sell system means that you won’t have to pay for using anything until it sells.

Furthermore, several cutting-edge editing tools allow you to crop, isolate, and even manipulate backgrounds for images. Even if you don’t end up using one of their digitized documents, it can be worth looking through for some inspiration.

Text Editor

Using digital technology to make cool printed photos or digitizing images can be tempting… but it can be difficult. Fortunately there, products that have simple, text-based messages or branding often sell very well.

Free Designs

Everyone has to start somewhere. And, while these designs may be far from ideal for your store’s final destination, they’re perfect for trial, mockups, and even making a few sales. While it may say that they’re just for t-shirts, these designs are perfect for any Printify product.

Digitizing Services

For those that believe you get what you pay for, this may be the best bet. If cash isn’t a problem, getting an expert opinion (and work) is a wonderful option.

Fortunately, this choice can be difficult to scale over time. If a brand wants to develop and spread over time, these professionals are always ready to lend a helping hand.

7 Steps to Print-on-Demand Digitization Success

Acknowledge the Potential: The eCommerce and custom clothing segments are all expanding rapidly. This is a very good time to get in the POD game.
Technology and Sales: There are a bunch of recent developments unfolding that help entrepreneurs succeed.
Believe in Yourself: This is the moment to choose to act. Fortunately here, Printify is free. So, there’s really nothing to lose.
Start Creating: This can be a drawing, a sketch, or some old photos. It doesn’t have to be vector files or something unattainable. Just start building and let it flow.
Digitize that Work: With a camera or scanner, this process should be simple. Everything is detailed above.
Design Products: With multiple photos or digital files ready to go, simply slap those images onto Printify products. Those products can be listed to any number of eCommerce platforms or marketplaces for discovery and sale.
Printify Successfully: Remember, we’re always behind you. If you require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our 24/7 support team.