Preparing Artwork for Merchandise

About this course

Merchandise is where many artists first sell their work. This course explains how common decoration methods (screen printing, direct-to-garment, embroidery, sublimation and vinyl) affect design, and how print-on-demand differs from bulk production. You will design within print areas and templates, plan for garment colour, simplify for embroidery, and prepare files to a vendor's stated requirements. Requirements such as resolution, file type and colour profile vary by vendor, product and technique, so the course teaches you to find and follow each product's own file guidelines rather than memorizing one set of numbers. It closes with honest mockups, originality and rights questions, and checking physical samples before selling.

Who it’s for: Artists, illustrators and designers preparing work for their own merch or for clients. Basic skills in any image or vector editor are expected; Print Production Fundamentals is helpful but not required.

You will be able to

• Explain how screen printing, DTG, embroidery and sublimation affect design decisions.
• Adapt one design for different products, print areas and garment colours.
• Prepare print files that meet a specific vendor's published file guidelines.
• Create mockups that represent the product honestly.
• Order and evaluate a physical sample using a written quality checklist.

Studio project

A three-product merch drop (tee, embroidered item, sticker) with vendor-compliant files, a spec sheet, honest mockups and a sample quality checklist.

To complete this course

• Complete every required lesson.
• Have the assignment “Merch drop file pack” accepted by an instructor.
• Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.