File Formats & Image Resolutions
The better your artwork looks, the better your Zazzle products will look. Creating great products on Zazzle is easy, and it all starts with your designs.
Whether you’re creating designs within a graphic design program, scanning an original piece, or just uploading photos, Zazzle has got you covered. Use the information below to help you create designs that will look great on Zazzle products.
Supported Image Types
PNG…
- …uses lossless compression (e.g. can preserve your images without any loss in image quality)
- …is an excellent format for displaying images with transparency (unlike JPEGs)
- …is great for complex images like photographs if file size is not an issue (Zazzle does not have a maximum file size for uploads, so feel free to upload your designs at the highest quality.)
JPG…
- …is commonly used because it creates a smaller file size as a result of the compression
- …doesn’t support transparency within images
- …images may not look as sharp when printed on larger products
- …images should be saved at the highest quality possible for adding to Zazzle products
PDF…
- …supports both raster and vector graphic information (from programs like Illustrator)
- …supports full alpha transparency
- …embeds font and typographical information
GIF, TIFF, AI, and PSD formats are also supported; however, we recommend sticking to the three listed above. JPEG, PNG, and PDF images will produce great quality products as long as the resolution meets or exceeds our recommendations.
Raster vs Vector Files
Raster Images
A raster image (PNG, JPG, PSD) is composed of thousands, if not millions, of tiny, colored ‘dots’ commonly referred to as 'pixels.' The term ‘DPI,' which stands for ‘dots per inch,’ is a direct measurement of the dot density within a square inch. The higher the DPI of your design, the more packed with pixel information it will have, which will ultimately result in a sharper physical print. The most commonly used raster images are photographs.
Pros
- You can really fine-tune your image by manipulating each individual pixel when editing
- Raster images allow for subtle detailing, such as shading and color variations.
Cons
- A raster image is constrained to its DPI (if an image is enlarged more than what its DPI allows for, it can get heavily pixelated and blurry).
- The higher the DPI count, the larger the file (although Zazzle does not have a cap on file sizes, creators may not want to put the extra stress onto their computers).
Vector Images
Vector images (AI, PDF) are shapes that are mathematically calculated by your computer. By using programs such as Adobe Illustrator, creators plot the points and paths of their image, and their computer fills in the relevant data to compose the image. Since vector images are mathematically composed, they are not constrained when scaling in size.
The most common uses for vector images are font based designs, icons, and logos.
Pros
- Since vectors are based on mathematical calculations, images can be scaled infinitely without any loss in quality.
- File sizes remain fairly small, regardless of how large you scale your image.
- Vector files can always be edited since the images are never compressed.
Cons
- Unlike raster images, vectors are heavily limited when it comes to subtle detailing, such as shading and color variations.
- Vector files cannot contain complex images, such as photographs, where color information is on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Image size and resolution
The general resolution requirements for Zazzle products (in pixels per inch) are:
- 150ppi for apparel, aprons, bags, hats, mousepads, and ties.
- 200ppi for mugs, drinkware, calendars, cards, keychains, magnets, postcards, and all stickers.
- 300ppi for custom postage, photo enlargements/prints, and posters
To fill the full area on any product, we recommend that you use images that are equal to, or larger than, the recommended sizes. In the Design Tool, a resolution warning will appear for any images sized larger than the resolution the image allows.
Suggested color profiles
We recommend using a sRGB color profile for images; however, we also support CMYK-based images.
Converting non-digital artwork into digital format
Do you have paintings, photographs, or other non-digital artwork that you want to add to Zazzle products? Good news! It's easier than ever these days to convert your physical artwork into a digital file.
Whether you scan or photograph the image you want to use, you'll want to pay close attention to the colors and proportion in the digital file to ensure they are as true as possible to the original. This can usually be addressed through the scanner or camera settings, as well as in the editing software of the digital version. If you do not have equipment on hand to do this yourself, you can find a local or online business that specializes in this kind of work.
For more information on how to go about converting your physical artwork:
How to Photograph/Scan Your Art And Prepare It For High Quality Art Prints
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