Why does silk require different file preparation?

Silk is printed using industrial inkjet technology with acid or reactive dyes — the professional standard for natural protein fibers. Unlike sublimation printing (which is used for polyester), acid and reactive dyes bond chemically into the silk fiber itself rather than sitting on the surface. The result is color with exceptional depth and vibrancy that is genuinely part of the cloth. But this process is less forgiving of file errors than paper printing. On paper, a slightly soft image can sometimes be rescued by the ink sitting on the coated surface. On silk, the dye penetrates the fiber. There is nothing to compensate for a low-resolution file or an incorrect color mode. What goes in…

What resolution does a silk scarf artwork file need?

The minimum requirement is 300 DPI at the actual print size of the scarf — not at a reduced scale, and not as a label in the file properties that does not reflect the true pixel count. The math is straightforward: multiply the scarf’s dimensions in inches by 300 (or in centimeters by 118) to arrive at the pixel count needed. For the most common scarf sizes: a 35.4 × 35.4 in (90 × 90 cm) scarf needs approximately 10,600 × 10,600 pixels. A 25.6 × 25.6 in (65 × 65 cm) scarf needs approximately 7,700 × 7,700 pixels. A 17.7 × 78.7 in (45 × 200 cm) long scarf needs approximately 5,300 × 23,600 pixels.

What file formats are accepted for silk printing?

Vector files, specifically Adobe Illustrator AI and high-quality PDF, are the preferred format for designs with clean graphic elements. Raster files — PSD, TIFF, or PNG — are the right choice for painterly, photographic, or mixed-media artwork. JPEG files are acceptable but only at the maximum quality setting.

What about bleed and safe zone?

Unlike paper printing, where a 3mm bleed is standard, fabric cutting operates with a larger tolerance. For silk scarves, allow a bleed of 1 to 0.6 in (1.5 cm) on each edge. Keep any important design elements at least 0.4 in (1 cm) inside the intended finished edge of the scarf.

How to Prepare Your Artwork File for Custom Silk Printing

Q: Should artwork be in RGB or CMYK for silk printing?

RGB is the correct color mode for digital silk printing. This surprises many designers who are accustomed to switching to CMYK for any print production work. Digital textile printing uses RIP (Raster Image Processor) software that is optimized to receive RGB files and translate them into the correct dye output for the specific fabric and ink combination. The recommended color profile is sRGB IEC61966-2.1.

Q: How should color references be provided?

If specific colors are critical, color references should be provided in Pantone TCX, the Textile Cotton eXtended system. Pantone C (coated) is calibrated for coated paper and will not accurately predict how a color behaves on silk. Read our existing guide to color accuracy in custom silk printing for more detail. Even with correct TCX references, some variation is inherent. Because silk reflects light more than cotton, colors on silk often appear richer and more saturated than the same TCX reference on a cotton swatch.

Q: What about text in the design?

If the artwork contains text, convert all text to outlines before submitting the file. In Adobe Illustrator: Select all text, then go to Type → Create Outlines.

October 10, 2026

Quick answer: To prepare artwork for custom silk scarf printing, set up a square canvas at 300 DPI at the finished size of the scarf, in RGB color mode. Save graphic designs as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG, and painted or photographic work as PSD, TIFF or PNG. A 25.6 in (65 cm) scarf needs about 7,700 × 7,700 pixels and a 35 in (89 cm) scarf about 10,500 × 10,500. Give color references in Pantone TCX, not Pantone C.

Most artwork problems in custom silk printing are discovered at the worst possible moment, when the scarf arrives and something is wrong. Resolution that looked fine on screen. Colors that drifted. A detail that disappeared. Every one of these is preventable.

Preparing artwork for silk is not the same as preparing it for paper. The scale is larger, the dye behaves differently, and color on a natural fiber does not follow the rules of ink on a coated page. If you are still working on the design itself, start with our guide on designing for silk.

What shape and size should the artwork be?

Square. Every scarf in the Custom Studio is a square, so prepare your design on a 1:1 canvas at the finished size of the scarf.

Scarf	Finished size	Pixels at 300 DPI
Pocket square	12.2 × 12.2 in (31 × 31 cm)	About 3,700 × 3,700
Small square	20.9 × 20.9 in (53 × 53 cm)	About 6,300 × 6,300
Classic square	25.6 × 25.6 in (65 × 65 cm)	About 7,700 × 7,700
Large square	35 × 35 in (89 × 89 cm)	About 10,500 × 10,500

The sum is simple: multiply the size in inches by 300 (or in centimeters by 118).

What resolution does the file need?

Aim for 300 DPI at the actual print size. That means real pixels, not a label in the file properties. To check, open the file in your image editor, set the canvas to the scarf size with resampling turned off, and read the DPI. Below about 200 DPI the print will look soft, and the file should be rebuilt from a higher-resolution source.

Vector artwork has no fixed pixel size and scales to any scarf without loss.

What file formats are accepted?

Graphic and logo-based designs: vector files, as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG.
Painted, photographic or mixed-media artwork: PSD, TIFF or PNG.
JPEG: acceptable at maximum quality only.

Should artwork be in RGB or CMYK?

RGB. This surprises designers who switch to CMYK for anything printed. Digital textile printers are set up to receive RGB files and convert them to the right dye mix for the silk. Use the sRGB profile.

How should color references be provided?

If a specific color is critical, give it as a Pantone TCX reference, the textile system. Pantone C is made for coated paper and will not predict how a color behaves on silk. Read our guide to color accuracy in custom silk printing.

Even with the right reference, expect silk to look a little richer than a swatch, because silk reflects more light than cotton.

Do I need to add bleed for the hem?

No. For a hand-rolled hem, the Custom Studio adds about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) of your chosen hem color around the artwork, and that becomes the roll. For a machine hem, about 0.4 in (1 cm) at each edge is turned into the hem.

What you should do is keep text, logos and the inner edge of any border at least 0.4 in (1 cm) inside the edge of your canvas, so nothing important sits against the hem.

What about text in the design?

Convert all text to outlines before you send the file. In Adobe Illustrator, select the text and choose Type, then Create Outlines. This stops fonts being substituted.

How do I upload artwork in the Custom Studio?

Upload a preview of the complete design as a JPEG or PNG, up to 20 MB.
Confirm that you own the artwork or have permission to reproduce it, including any logos, trademarks or crests.
Enter the pixel size of your full-resolution file, or tick the box for vector artwork.
Paste a link to the full-resolution file from Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer, and give support@lovesilk.com access. You can also email files after ordering.

Our production team reviews every artwork before printing and tells you if anything needs attention.

Ready to start? Choose your size, silk and finish and see your price right away. Upload your artwork in the Custom Studio →

Not sure your file is ready? Email it to support@lovesilk.com and ask.

Frequently asked questions

What resolution does artwork need for silk scarf printing?

300 DPI at the finished size of the scarf. A 25.6 in (65 cm) scarf needs about 7,700 × 7,700 pixels.

Should artwork be in RGB or CMYK for silk printing?

RGB, in the sRGB profile.

What file format should I use for custom silk scarf artwork?

AI, EPS, PDF or SVG for graphic designs. PSD, TIFF or PNG for painted or photographic artwork. JPEG at maximum quality only.

Does my artwork need to be square?

Yes. Every scarf in the Custom Studio is a square, so use a 1:1 canvas.

Which Pantone system should I use for silk printing?

Pantone TCX, the textile system, not Pantone C.

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