Artwork Guidelines

To ensure that your custom merchandise looks its absolute best, we ask that you follow our artwork submission guidelines.

Department Orders

The University of Sheffield has strict guidelines on our logo usage. We hold all available lockup logos and orientations on file so any department name you need adding we will do this for you (see example below).

Accepted File Formats

For any other logos, We accept a variety of file formats, but for the best results, we recommend submitting editable vector files, such as:

.PDF (Portable Document Format)

.AI (Adobe Illustrator)

.EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)

(The above must be editable and not Jpeg/PNG files just exported as PDF etc.)

For raster images, photos and other types of artwork, we also accept:

.PNG (High-quality with transparent background)

.JPG (300dpi or higher recommended)

The higher the resolution of file the better the branding finish will be. We always check artwork and shall advise if we foresee any issues before proceeding with production.

Print Artwork Guidelines

Colour Guidelines

For consistent colour matching across your merchandise, we recommend submitting files with Pantone (PMS) colours. If you’re unsure about colour choices, we can help you select the best options. Please submit artwork in CMYK mode for print to ensure colour accuracy. For more details on colour matching, please contact the team.

Font Guidelines

Please outline fonts in vector files to avoid issues with missing fonts.

If using custom fonts, please provide the font files or specify the font name.

What to Avoid for Print

Low-resolution files that may affect the clarity of your design.

Embroidery Artwork Guidelines

Embroidery Digitisation

For any new artwork being used for embroidery, digitisation is required to convert your image into a format compatible with embroidery machines. This process comes with a setup fee. However, for certain regular logos (e.g. University of Sheffield, AMRC etc.), we may already have the necessary digitised files, and a setup fee may not be required.

Once your design is digitised, it can be used on any future orders without incurring additional charges.

What to Avoid for Embroidery

Designs with fine details or gradients these may not translate well in embroidery.

Small text or intricate lines that may not stitch cleanly.

Need Help with Your Artwork?

If your artwork isn't in the right format or scale, don't worry—we can help! We offer an optional redraw service for a small fee to ensure your design is print-ready. Our team can convert or resize your image to the correct specifications.

Artwork Proofs

Once your artwork is prepared, we will send you a proof for approval. Please review the proof carefully to ensure that all details are correct before we proceed with production. Any changes requested after approval may incur additional fees. Once approved, The University of Sheffield cannot be held responsible for any mistakes in design or spelling.