Custom printing FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for custom screen printing, DTF transfers, stickers, banners, logo design, album artwork, file prep, quotes, and production details at Da Mouse Trap Graphics.
Before you order
Every custom order has its own details. The fastest way to get a good quote is to send the artwork, quantity, size, deadline, and final use. If the file needs cleanup or design work, say that early so it can be built into the plan instead of becoming a surprise later.
Getting Started + Quotes
How do I start a custom printing or design order?
Start by sending the project through the quote page. Include what you want made, the quantity, sizes, artwork, deadline, and any references. Da Mouse Trap reviews the details first so the quote matches the real production needs instead of guessing from a generic checkout.
What should I include when requesting a quote?
Send the service you need, product type, size, quantity, colors, placement, artwork files, deadline, and whether you need design help. For apparel, include garment style, sizes, print locations, and any special ink or finish requests. For banners, stickers, logos, and album artwork, include dimensions, final use, and references.
What affects pricing?
Pricing depends on the service, quantity, size, materials, colors, artwork setup, finishing, turnaround, and production difficulty. A simple one-color print is different from a multi-color print, DTF gang sheet, custom sticker shape, or full design rebuild. The quote process keeps the price tied to the actual project.
Do you offer rush turnaround?
Rush options may be available depending on the schedule, file readiness, materials, quantity, and finishing needs. The best chance for a rush order is sending complete artwork, exact sizes, quantities, and a hard deadline right away.
Can I use the client portal?
Yes. The client portal is for customer access and project communication when needed. For a new order, start with the quote form first; then the project can move into the right workflow once the details are reviewed.
Artwork + File Prep
What artwork files work best?
High-resolution PNG, PDF, AI, EPS, PSD, or SVG files are best when available. Vector files are preferred for logos, stickers, banners, and clean print edges. For DTF and apparel graphics, transparent PNG files can work well when they are high resolution and sized correctly.
Can you clean up low-resolution or Canva artwork?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can help rebuild, clean up, resize, or prepare artwork that started as a rough draft, screenshot, Canva layout, or low-resolution file. Some files need more design time before they are print-ready, so send the original file and any reference images you have.
Do you send a proof before production?
Proofing is part of making sure the size, placement, artwork, spelling, color direction, and layout are understood before the job moves forward. Production should not start until the important details are confirmed, especially on custom sizes, gang sheets, banners, and design work.
Can you design the artwork from scratch?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can help create logos, album artwork, sticker layouts, banner designs, apparel graphics, and print-ready files from an idea, name, reference, sketch, or concept. The more direction you send, the easier it is to build something that fits the vision.
Screen Printing
What is screen printing best for?
Screen printing is great for apparel, uniforms, streetwear drops, merch runs, brand shirts, and designs that deserve a strong ink feel. It works especially well when the artwork, garment, ink colors, and quantity are planned together.
What affects screen printing setup?
Screen printing setup depends on artwork separation, number of ink colors, print locations, garment type, screen preparation, and registration. The craft is a mix of artwork, mesh, emulsion, exposure, pressure, ink, curing, and timing.
Can detailed artwork or halftones be screen printed?
Yes. Detailed artwork and halftones can be screen printed when the file is prepared correctly. Halftones are useful when a design needs shading, texture, or dimension while still working within a limited ink setup.
Can you print hoodies, uniforms, and streetwear drops?
Yes. Screen printing can be used for hoodies, T-shirts, uniforms, heavyweight streetwear blanks, event apparel, and brand merch. Send the garment style, print location, size breakdown, artwork, and quantity so the order can be quoted correctly.
DTF Transfers + Gang Sheets
What artwork works best for DTF?
High-resolution PNG, PSD, AI, EPS, or PDF files work best. Transparent backgrounds are helpful for many designs, especially when the transfer needs to sit cleanly on apparel. Artwork should be sized to the intended print dimensions before production.
Can I order a gang sheet?
Yes. Multiple graphics can be arranged on a gang sheet when the sizes, spacing, and layout are confirmed before production. Gang sheets are useful when you need several logos, names, sizes, or designs produced together.
Can you press the transfers onto apparel?
Yes, depending on the order. You can request transfers only or finished apparel with the transfers applied. Include the garment type, placement, quantity, and deadline so the production path is clear.
Are DTF transfers good for small runs?
Yes. DTF is often a strong option for small quantities, full-color artwork, samples, detailed graphics, and flexible apparel production. It can be a good choice when traditional screen setup is not the best fit for the order.
Stickers, Labels + Decals
What file should I send for stickers?
Send high-resolution PNG, PDF, AI, EPS, or PSD files when available. Print-ready vector files are ideal for clean edges, custom shapes, decals, labels, and packaging graphics.
Can you help design the sticker?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can help with sticker design, file cleanup, resizing, shape planning, and print-ready preparation. Send the idea, size, reference images, colors, and final use so the sticker can be built correctly.
Can stickers be made in custom shapes?
Custom shapes may be available depending on the design, size, material, finish, and production requirements. The cut shape should be planned with enough safe space around the artwork so the final sticker looks clean.
What affects sticker pricing?
Sticker pricing depends on size, quantity, material, finish, shape, lamination, artwork setup, and deadline. A simple rectangle label is different from a custom contour decal or a specialty finish.
Banner Printing
What size banner should I order?
The best size depends on viewing distance, installation space, artwork, event setup, and how the banner will be displayed. A storefront banner, step-and-repeat, pop-up display, and birthday banner all need different sizing decisions.
Can you help design the banner?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can help with banner layout, file setup, resizing, readability, and print-ready preparation. Large-format designs need clean hierarchy so the message is easy to read from the right distance.
What affects banner pricing?
Banner pricing depends on size, quantity, material, finishing needs, artwork setup, turnaround, and installation requirements. Hemming, grommets, outdoor use, and rush timing can all affect the quote.
Do you make rush banners?
Rush banner options may be available depending on the size, file readiness, production schedule, materials, and deadline. Send the dimensions, artwork, use case, and due date as early as possible.
Logo Design + Brand Graphics
Can you create a logo from scratch?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can create original logo concepts based on your name, references, style, colors, audience, and intended use. The goal is to create artwork that can live on apparel, stickers, banners, social media, and print materials.
Can you clean up an existing logo?
Yes. Existing artwork can be cleaned up, rebuilt, resized, vectorized, or prepared for print-ready use. This is helpful when the only file available is blurry, too small, or not usable for production.
Can the logo be used for printing?
Yes. Final logo files can be prepared for apparel, stickers, banners, signs, digital use, and other production needs. Print-ready files are built with size, contrast, edges, and real-world use in mind.
What should I send before starting a logo?
Send your business, artist, or brand name; references; colors; style direction; target audience; intended use; deadline; and any existing files. If the logo needs to be printed later, say that upfront so the design is built with production in mind.
Album Artwork + Music Graphics
Can you design artwork for a single?
Yes. Da Mouse Trap can create cover artwork for singles, EPs, albums, mixtapes, and release campaigns. The design can be built around the sound, mood, artist identity, title, and rollout needs.
Can you use my artist photos?
Yes. Artist photos can be used when the image quality is strong enough and you have permission to use them. Send the highest-resolution version possible, along with any references for color, mood, edits, or typography.
Can the artwork be made for streaming?
Yes. Final files can be prepared for streaming platforms, social promotion, print, merch, and other release needs. Let Da Mouse Trap know where the artwork will be used so the right sizes and formats can be prepared.
What should I send before starting album artwork?
Send the artist name, release title, references, photos, music mood, deadline, platform needs, and any text that must appear on the artwork. If you need promo graphics or merch-ready versions, include that too.