Transparency and the Color White
Most of the best-selling products you find on Zazzle today experience booming success because close attention was paid to the pairing of the design to the physical product. By staying mindful of the design’s sizing, placement, and colors, creators are able to create products that just look right.
One fundamental principle that many of our creators tend to forget is that it’s not only what you include, but also what you choose NOT to include in the design that matters. An easy example of this is the choice to eliminate the default white background found in many images. Below you'll find a series of images that illustrate the importance of this decision and the impact it can have on a design:
- In the first of the three examples below, an image has been printed exactly as it was uploaded: with all the white included.
- In the second example, the white background has been removed but the white elements of the actual artwork remain.
- Then, finally, in the third example, the white has been eliminated from the design entirely.
By eliminating the white background, the design now seamlessly blends into the shirt creating a more polished fusion of design and product.
If your tool of choice is a design program such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, rest assured that any PNG images made with transparent areas will be maintained when uploading to Zazzle.
If you’re uploading a JPEG image (or PNG image without transparency), the image will be uploaded without any transparency included. But worry not! We’ve made it easy for you to make white transparent with our design tool. Simply select 'All white in image,' as in the third example above, to add transparency.
However, don’t be afraid to experiment! Remember, it's also what you choose not to include that can make the design really special.
Quick tip:
Whites, some grays, and other light colors may make any white in your design transparent by default. This is simply due to the nature of the print process. If so, it will automatically be reflected on your screen.
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