Recommended settings
- Model
- Illustration
- Scale
- 4× (Pro, on your device)
- Denoise
- 0 of 100
- Output format
- PNG
The Illustration model keeps flat colour flat and line edges clean, where the Photo model would invent texture.
Tips
- Illustration model for logos and vector-style art, Photo model for photographic prints.
- Upscale before removing the background so the cut edge stays sharp.
- Aim for 300 DPI at the printed size.
Worked example
The target for t-shirt printing is 4,500 × 5,400 pixels. The art sits on a transparent canvas, so it only has to fill the width or the height, not both. This table shows the smallest scale that reaches it from three common source sizes, and what 4× gives each one. 4× is the largest scale, so a target slightly beyond it is finished with the resize tool, up to 5× in total.
| Your image | Scale needed | Output at 4× | 4× reaches target? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 512 × 512 | Too small, use a bigger source | 2,048 × 2,048 | No |
| 1,024 × 1,024 | 4×, then resize 1.1× to 4,500 × 4,500 | 4,096 × 4,096 | Almost: resize 1.1× to finish |
| 2,048 × 2,048 | 4× | 8,192 × 8,192 | Yes, then resize |
How to upscale images for t-shirt printing
- Open the upscaler and add your images, or a whole folder.
- Choose the Illustration model and 4×.
- Set denoise to about 0 so texture and grain stay.
- Export PNG and download the batch.
Questions
What scale should I use for t-shirt printing?
Work back from the target of 4,500 × 5,400: divide it by your image size and round up to 2× or 4×. If 4× is a little short, finish with the resize tool; past 5× in total, start from a bigger original. For most shirt designers and print shops, 4× is the usual answer.
Which model is best for t-shirt printing?
Illustration. The Illustration model keeps flat colour flat and line edges clean, where the Photo model would invent texture.
Is 4× free?
4× runs on your device too, so nothing uploads, and needs the Pro plan.
Do my images upload?
No. At 4× the model runs in your browser, so the files stay on your device.
What size do images for t-shirt printing need to be?
4,500 × 5,400 pixels is the reference size used on this page. Upscale to at least that, then resize down to the exact size.
Scales compared
| Scale | Runs | Plan | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2× | On your device | Free | |
| 4× | On your device | Pro | Recommended |