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How to Prepare Print-Ready Artwork for Custom Athletic Padding
How to Prepare Print-Ready Artwork for Custom Athletic Padding
Posted on
September 08, 2026
by
Kristina Amis
AK Athletics
Design & Print Department: Preparing Artwork for Production
Learn which file types work best, why resolution matters, how printed colors are created, and what to check before approving your final proof.
Unsure which file to send?Send the highest-quality original file you have, and our team will review it for production.
Best logo filesAI, EPS, SVG, or a vector PDF
Best photo qualityHigh resolution;ideally 300 PPI at print size
Best color infoPantone® numbers, CMYK values, or brand guidelines
When ordering custom wall padding, custom wrestling mats, gym graphics, or other printed athletic products, the quality of the finished product begins long before it reaches the printer. It starts with the artwork you provide.
If you've ever been asked for a vector file, 300 PPI artwork, or your organization’s Pantone® color numbers, you are not alone. These terms can sound technical, especially if you don't work with graphic design every day. The good news is that you don't need to be a designer to submit great artwork. You simply need to understand a few basic concepts.
Whether you're ordering custom wall padding for a school, a custom wrestling mat for your training facility, or custom safety padding for another project, preparing your artwork early can help reduce revisions, prevent production delays, and create a better-looking finished product.
If your project includes custom mat graphics, our custom wrestling mat design guide walks through colors, logos, graphics, file requirements, and the proofing process in more detail.
In this guide, we explain which files produce the best results, how resolution and color affect commercial printing, common mistakes to avoid, and what happens after you submit your artwork to the AK Athletics Design & Print Department.
Quick Takeaway
A logo that looks sharp on your phone may not stay sharp when it's stretched across an 8-foot wall pad. Start with the original file whenever possible.
Try this first
Choose the Right Artwork File
Select the file type you have. We’ll give you a quick idea of what it may be best suited for.
Choose a file type above. You don't need to know whether your file is print-ready. This tool simply helps you understand what our team may check.
Why Artwork Quality Matters
Before production, our Design & Print team reviews submitted artwork and identifies file-quality or setup issues that may need attention.
Catching artwork problems early creates a smoother production process and reduces unnecessary revisions. A logo that looks sharp on a phone or website may still become blurry when enlarged across wall padding or a wrestling mat.
Low-quality files may appear: Blurry, pixelated, jagged around the edges, soft around lettering, or missing fine details when enlarged.
Starting with the best original file gives our Design & Print team more flexibility and helps support a cleaner finished result.
Artwork in action
From Artwork to Finished Wall Padding
Every custom padding project starts with artwork. After the files and colors are reviewed and the proof is approved, the artwork can move into print production.
This baseball wall padding shows how logos, colors, photographs, and full-scale graphics can become a finished installation. Starting with high-quality artwork gives the Design & Print team more flexibility and helps preserve important details throughout production. For another look at how graphics can be incorporated into padding, see our guide to adding graphics to safety wall panels.
Real project example: Custom digitally printed baseball wall padding produced from approved artwork.
Vector vs. Raster Files
One of the most common questions customers hear while preparing artwork for production is: “Do you have a vector version of your logo?”
If you're not familiar with graphic design, that question can be confusing. Understanding the difference between vector and raster files is simple, and it can make a major difference in the quality of your finished product.
Vector Files
Vector files are created using mathematical paths instead of pixels. They can be resized without losing quality, so a logo can remain sharp whether it's used as a small sponsor graphic or stretched across an entire gym wall.
Best for: Logos, mascots, lettering, sponsor graphics, and simple artwork.
AIEPSSVGVector PDF
Raster Files
Raster images are made up of thousands of tiny pixels. Photos taken with a phone or camera are raster images, making them ideal for detailed photographs with shading and color.
Important: Enlarging a raster image too much can cause it to look blurry or pixelated.
JPGPNGTIFFPSD
Why File Quality Matters
Drag the slider to compare the same finished image shown as a low-quality file and a high-quality file.
Better files produce better results. A low-resolution file can look blurry or pixelated when enlarged, while a high-quality original file preserves sharper details for large-format printing.
Why We Prefer Vector Files
Vector artwork stays crisp at any size, making it the best choice for custom printed athletic padding. Raster images can work, but if they are low resolution, text may become blurry and edges may lose definition when enlarged. For that reason, vector logos are preferred whenever they are available.
Don’t Have a Vector Logo?
That's okay. Many schools and organizations only have files from a website, previous order, marketing department, or another vendor. High-quality PDFs, PNGs, or JPGs may still be usable depending on the print size. If a file isn't suitable for production, our team will explain what is needed and may ask for a higher-quality or original source file before production begins.
Print Department Tip Don't worry about figuring out whether your logo is vector or raster. Send us the files you have, and our Design & Print team will review them, explain any limitations, and recommend the best option for your project.
Why Image Resolution Matters
Resolution refers to the amount of detail contained in a raster image. The higher the resolution, the more image information is available when the file is printed. High-resolution artwork can produce sharper text, cleaner edges, and clearer details. Low-resolution artwork may appear blurry or pixelated, particularly when it's enlarged.
For most printed products, we recommend artwork at approximately 300 PPI at the final print size. Some large-format graphics designed to be viewed from a distance may not require the same resolution as a smaller printed product. However, beginning with the highest-quality original file provides the best opportunity for a clean result.
Original artwork
Looks sharp at its original size
→
Enlarged for printing
Existing pixels become larger
Key point
Enlarging a low-resolution image doesn't create new detail;it only makes the existing pixels larger.
Why Online Images May Not Print Clearly
Images found online are often low resolution, sometimes around 72 PPI, and may not produce acceptable print results at larger sizes. A small web image may look acceptable on a screen but lose detail or become pixelated when it is enlarged for large-format printing.
Best Artwork Files for Professional Printing
✓ Recommended Artwork Sources
⚠ Avoid These File Types
Vector files: AI, EPS, SVG, or vector PDF
Screenshots
High-resolution PNG, TIFF, or JPG files
Images pulled from the internet or social media
Original digital source files
Low-resolution raster images
Files supplied at the needed print size and resolution
Word or PowerPoint files used as production artwork
Brand guidelines and color references
Raster images placed inside a PDF without being vectorized
Files from the second column aren't automatically unusable. However, they may limit how large the design can be printed or require additional preparation.
Print Department Tip: Do Not Enlarge a Low-Resolution File Yourself Making a low-resolution image larger doesn't increase its quality. Renaming a JPG as a PDF or placing a raster image inside an Illustrator file also doesn't turn it into vector artwork. Send the original version whenever possible and allow the Design & Print team to determine the best way to prepare it.
Click-through troubleshooting guide
Common Artwork Mistakes
Click through the most common file problems our team sees before production. Each card shows what can go wrong and the better approach.
Image quality
→
Low-Resolution Images
Potential problem
Graphics may print blurry or pixelated when enlarged.
Better approach
Send the original or highest-resolution version of the file.
Logo source
LOGO
→
LOGO
Logos Copied From Websites
Potential problem
Web files may be too small for large-format printing.
Better approach
Request the original digital source file whenever possible.
File format
WEmbedded image
×
AIOriginal artwork
Word or PowerPoint Files
Potential problem
Embedded artwork may not retain its original quality.
Better approach
Send the original graphic file separately whenever possible.
Typography
TEAM
→
TEAM
Missing Fonts
Potential problem
Text may change when the artwork file is opened.
Better approach
Send the original artwork file and make sure the needed fonts are not missing.
Color setup
→
CMYK
RGB Artwork
Potential problem
Printed colors may differ from what appears on the screen.
Better approach
Provide CMYK values or Pantone® references when available.
Measurements
LOGO
→
LOGO
Incorrect Dimensions
Potential problem
Graphics may not fit the finished product correctly.
Better approach
Confirm final measurements before artwork is finalized for production.
Installation details
TEAM×
→
TEAM✓
Missing Obstruction Details
Potential problem
Graphics may conflict with custom cutouts or other obstructions.
Better approach
Tell our team about all obstructions early.
Proof review
ATHLETCS
✎
ATHLETICS
Spelling Errors
Potential problem
Incorrect text may be printed after the final proof is approved.
Better approach
Carefully review every word, number, date, and web address on the proof.
File conversion
JPG
→
PDF
same pixels
A Raster Image Saved as a PDF
Potential problem
The image remains low resolution even though the file extension changed.
Better approach
Provide the true original vector file whenever one is available.
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Behind the scenes
Where Your Artwork Becomes a Finished Print
After your files are reviewed, colors are checked, and the proof is approved, the artwork moves into large-format production. This is the stage where digital graphics are prepared for printing on athletic padding and other custom products.
A common question we hear is, “Why does the printed color look different from what I see on my screen?” The answer is simple: screens create color with light, while printers create color with ink. Because these are different systems, some variation is normal.
01
RGB Screen Color
Light creates bright colors on phones and monitors.
→
02
CMYK
CMYK Conversion
Artwork is translated into printable ink values.
→
03
Printed Result
The final color may look slightly different from the screen.
RGB
Red, Green, Blue
Used for phones, tablets, computers, TVs, websites, and social media. Because RGB uses illuminated light, some colors appear brighter on a screen than they can in print.
CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
The standard process used for commercial printing. These four inks are combined to reproduce logos, photographs, gradients, and other graphics.
Pantone® / PMS
Standardized color reference
Pantone numbers help communicate brand colors more accurately than descriptions such as “school blue” or “dark red.”
How AK Athletics Uses Color Information
AK Athletics prints using CMYK process printing. While we do not print with Pantone spot inks, our Design & Print team can convert Pantone colors to the closest possible CMYK match. Fluorescent, metallic, and highly vibrant colors may not reproduce exactly in CMYK, but Pantone references still help us work toward the closest practical match.
Can AK Athletics Match Your Brand Colors?
Our team can work toward the closest possible printed representation of your brand colors. For the best results, provide:
Pantone PMS numbers
CMYK values
Official brand guidelines
Some differences are normal between digital displays, vinyl materials, and printed ink. Detailed color information helps us produce a more consistent result. You can also see how custom colors and logos come together in a finished facility in our custom wood-backed wall pad project.
From file to finished product
How Artwork Becomes a Finished Product
Two key moments anchor every custom project: the artwork you submit and the finished athletic padding produced from it.
01
Start here
Submit Your Artwork
Send the highest-quality version of your logo, artwork, or design. Vector files are ideal, but if you are unsure, send the best file you have. Our Design & Print team will review it before production begins.
02Artwork Review We check file quality, resolution, colors, fonts, and dimensions.
→
03Proof & Production You approve the layout before printing and manufacturing begin.
The result
Finished Custom Athletic Padding
After the artwork is reviewed and approved, the project moves into print production and then through the manufacturing process.
04
Interactive production checklist
Artwork and Proof Checklist
Before your project enters production, complete both checkpoints: prepare the best artwork package you can, then carefully review the digital proof before approving it.
0 of 20 ready0% complete
01
Before submission
Prepare Your Print-Ready Artwork
Gather the strongest available files and project details before sending your artwork to the Design & Print team.
Artwork submitted→Artwork review→Digital proof sent
Proof Process Every printed job includes two complimentary proofs, typically a rough draft followed by a final layout. If our team finds file-quality or setup concerns, they are normally identified on the first proof before the job moves into print production.
02
Before production
Review Your Digital Proof Before Approval
Check every detail on the proof because the approved version becomes the reference used during production.
Final Review Tip Verify every word, phone number, website address, date, color, dimension, graphic placement, cutout, and obstruction before approval. Once approved, the proof becomes the production reference used throughout manufacturing.
Both checkpoints are complete. Your artwork package and digital proof have been fully reviewed.
Ready to Start Your Custom Project?
Contact AK Athletics to discuss custom wall padding, custom wrestling mats, gym graphics, fence padding, or another custom printed athletic product. Our team can review your submitted artwork, answer production-related questions, and help confirm that your files are ready for the printing process.
Can AK Athletics help if my artwork needs adjustments?
Yes. Our team can review supplied files and may be able to make certain corrections or production-related adjustments. Send the best original file you have, and we'll let you know what can be used for production.
What if I don't have a print-ready file?
Send us the best file you have. We'll review it and let you know if it's suitable for production.
What resolution should my artwork be?
For most printed products, we recommend about 300 PPI at the final print size. We'll review your file and let you know if the resolution is suitable.
Can you use a PNG or JPG?
Yes, if the file has enough resolution for the final print size. For logos and lettering, vector files are usually the best option.
What is a proof, and how many proofs are included?
A proof is a preview you review before production. AK Athletics includes two complimentary proofs with each printed job so you can check details before approval.
How long does the artwork review process take?
Timing depends on the project and the files you provide. Sending your best artwork, dimensions, colors, and project details up front can help speed up the review.
Can you match my school or company colors?
Yes, we can work toward the closest possible printed match. Pantone numbers, CMYK values, or official brand guidelines are the most helpful references.
Can you help choose materials?
Yes, to an extent. We can recommend substrates and mounting options based on the intended use, environment, and budget.
