Joseph_GWhat if I told you that something you can't really see might mess up your image? What's this invisible menace, you ask? In a word, nothing -- but, to be more specific, a lot of nothing. Namely, the amount of empty space in an image can ruin a graphic's resolution by giving you a "large" image where the actual graphic is tiny.
Why is this an issue? Because you might think your graphic looks like this, When in reality it looks like this:
Yeesh!So, how does this happen? Simple -- when you create an image using a program (like Canva), you're setting up something called an artboard, which functions as the canvas for your graphic. And, when the artboard is too large, your graphic (the part of the image you care about) becomes very, very small.
And how can that affect a custom shirt (or other garment)?
Compare these two images: one saved correctly,
and one with unnecessary empty space.
Both images are of good quality but the key difference lies in their artboard/canvas area.
Because the size isn't the actual size -- it's mostly empty space (or white space) -- the actual graphic is much smaller than you assume. So when you try to enlarge the image to fit your design space, you very quickly lose detail. How can you fix this? First, by always looking at the measurements within your program and making sure that your graphic fills up as much of the artboard as possible. Second, by viewing your image at the size you'll want on a shirt (or other garment) to make sure it isn't blurry.
How to Adjust a Canva Shirt Design Artboard
1. Open Canva: Go to Canva's website and log in.
2. Start a New Design: Click "Create a design" and choose the type of design you want.
3. Access Canvas Size: Look for the option to adjust canvas size, usually in the toolbar or menu.
4. Set New Size: Enter the width and height for your canvas.
5. Apply Changes: Click "Apply" or "OK" to confirm your changes.
6. Adjust Design: If needed, move or resize your elements to fit the new canvas.
7. Save Your Work: Click on the save button to save your design.
How to Resize a Photoshop Artboard
1. Open Photoshop: Launch Adobe Photoshop on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Open the document you want to adjust.
3. Access Canvas Size: Go to "Image" > "Canvas Size".
4. Set New Size: Enter the new width and height for your canvas.
5. Apply Changes: Click "OK" to confirm the new size.
6. Adjust Design: Move or resize your elements as needed to fit the new canvas.
7. Save Your Work: Go to "File" and choose "Save" to save your changes.
How To Adjust the Artboard for Your Shirt Design in Illustrator
1. Open Illustrator: Launch Adobe Illustrator on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Open the document you want to work on.
3. Access Artboard Options: Go to "File" > "Document Setup" > "Edit Artboards".
4. et New Size: Enter the new width and height for your artboard.
5. Apply Changes: Click "OK" to confirm the new size.
6. Adjust Design: Rearrange or resize your elements to fit the new artboard.
7. Save Your Work: Go to "File" and select "Save" to save your changes.
How to Adjust a Shirt Design in Corel Draw
1.Open CorelDRAW: Click on the CorelDRAW icon to start the program.
2. Open Your Design: Go to "File" in the top menu, then choose "Open" to select the design you want to work on.
3. Access Page Setup: Look for "Layout" in the menu at the top. Click on it, and then select "Page Setup."
4. Set New Size: In the "Page Setup" window, you'll see boxes for Width and Height. Type in the new size you want for your canvas.
5. Apply Changes: Once you've typed in the new dimensions, click "OK" to make the changes.
6. Adjust Your Design: If your design elements need rearranging or resizing to fit the new canvas size, use the "Pick" tool to move them around.
7. Save Your Work: When you're done, go to "File" and choose "Save" to save your changes.
Remember: Your Design Artboard Size Matters
Having an absurdly large artboard is an easy way to mess up your image -- and it can cost you time when you need it most. When you submit an unusable design, you're adding extra steps to the process, which can delay your order.
It can also cause other technical issues, making it difficult to send the file.
Looking for more design tips?
Here's how to prioritize information in a design.
And here's why long sleeve designs are highly underrated.
But do you want to go in-depth? Because to check out our complete guide to designing t-shirts.