How to increase artwork resolution for better print quality

When you’re ordering custom products like stickers, t-shirts, or packaging, image resolution can make or break your print quality. Blurry or pixelated designs don’t reflect well on your brand or project.

That’s why we recommend using artwork that’s at least 300 pixels per inch (PPI). But what if your file falls short? Here are three reliable ways to improve the resolution of your artwork:

1. Track down the original (or recreate it)

The best place to start is by finding the original version of your artwork. Images downloaded from websites or shared via messaging apps are often compressed, which reduces quality. An original file, especially if it's uncompressed, will give you much better print results.

Vector files are ideal. Unlike raster formats (like JPG or PNG), vector formats (PDF, SVG, EPS, or AI) can be scaled to any size without losing clarity. They're perfect for logos, illustrations, and text-based designs.

What if you can’t find the original?

If you no longer have access to the original artwork, you can try re-creating the original from scratch using a program like Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, or Inkscape. This works well for simple graphics or logos.

If worst comes to worst, consider scanning the artwork at a higher resolution (300 PPI or higher). This gives you a better base to work from than, say, taking a photo with your phone.

2. Increase image resolution with Upscale

If you’re working with a raster image (like a photo or detailed illustration) and can’t get a higher-quality file, try Upscale, our free AI image upscaler.

Just upload your image, and Upscale will automatically enhance it up to 8x the original size while preserving as much detail as possible.

Upscale is best for:

• Photographs

• Detailed illustrations

• Complex raster graphics

3. Convert your image to a vector with Redraw

If your design is still too low-res for printing, consider Redraw, our paid vector conversion service.

Redraw turns any image, no matter how pixelated, into a clean, high-resolution vector. It’s ideal for logos, icons, or flat illustrations.

For just $14, our design team will manually recreate your artwork as a scalable vector file. That’s a fraction of what most professional designers would charge--and we include free revisions to make sure it’s perfect.

Here’s how it works:

1. Upload your artwork

2. Our team redraws it as a vector

3. You’ll receive a proof to review before payment

4. Request edits until you’re satisfied

5. Once approved, download your high-quality vector file instantly

Final thoughts

When artwork isn’t sharp enough, it can’t be printed cleanly, especially at larger sizes or on high-detail products. By making image enhancement tools readily available, we help more customers get production-ready results without going back to the drawing board.

To recap: we recommend designing your artwork at 300 PPI or higher to ensure optimal print quality. But we know that’s not always possible: you may be working with legacy files, compressed images from the web, or even scans of physical art.

That’s exactly where Upscale and Redraw come in. We hope they'll help you bridge the gap between what you have and what you need for friction-free proofing and a flawless final product.