When i save project as a png file, it is saving it as white

[adpuf]

Okay, I guess I have to wrap it up for the day.  I will try to look at this again when I get home.

Thank you again!

This is what I got for File, Export As...

[TMadisson]

Excellent, you're doing well and those screenshots you have been sharing are very informative. All the best.

[adpuf]

Okay, this is where I am at.  I clicked on the black and white image and hit group.  I changed the background to see if the white is still on the colored image and it is. So there must be more steps LOL

[brynn]

Ok, I haven't watched TMadisson's video, but I'm not clear whether you need to trace the images or not.  Let me ask some very fundamental questions about the project.

Have you asked the printer what kind of process they are going to use?  Because you would need to prepare your file differently, depending on the process.  (Since you started this topic about exporting a PNG, I might guess that's what the printer asked for.)  If they are asking for a PNG, it's possible they are planning to trace the image themselves, and charge you for it.  Hopefully they would have explained it to you.....or perhaps you'd like them to do it?  In any case, that needs to be spelled out from the beginning. 

Because as far as I understand, certain image transfer processes can actually use the PNG directly, without tracing it.  In that case, no one needs to trace it!

So I would suggest finding out (1) which process they will use, (2) specifically how they need the file to be organized (if they're asking for an SVG file), and (3) which file format they want you to send.  (You should be able to discuss this openly with the printer - if they are a reputable business, they should be able to explain these things clearly for you.)

[TMadisson]

I'm not in front of my computer atm adpuf but now what i would recommend is looking into masking.
Here is YouTube video (not my own) that goes through the basics.

The reason why is because the trace bitmap vector that has been generated can now be used as a mask to only show the parts of the floral design you wish to show finally getting rid of the white background. This also gives you greater flexibility for edits that might be needed later on.

This process will have to be done with all the flower motifs you would like to appear in the final document for print.

[TMadisson]

Hi Brynn, you are correct in ascertaining exactly where Adpuf stands on the whole printing issue and exactly what they need... but from memory of posts back Adpuf NEEDS to have a transparent background which won't happen with a collapsed jpeg. The masking stage that Adpuf is at now will give Adpuf the clean crisp background needed - and has the added benefit of being able to have colour variations of their material - but also give the printers a good starting point in their printing process which as printers we always like.

[brynn]

Oh ok, I see where you're coming from now.  I didn't watch the video and I thought you were tracing for a different reason.

The only thing I would change, is use clipping instead of masking.  Only because it's simpler for a newbie.

But still, better to have clear info from the printshop, since there are so many different ways to transfer image to fabric, and some need very different type of files and formats.

[TMadisson]

Good idea about clipping instead of a mask. I didnt realise they were easier for newbies to pick up. I just defaulted to what i always do... so thats helped me to understand better from their perspective - thank you 

Yes absolutely, some info from the printers is a good port of call

[adpuf]

 You guys are awesome!  Thank you for all of your help.

All of this is very new to me  so I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed. LOL

Brynn, you are correct. I need to find out how that process works. I dug a little deeper on their website and found the following. I really hope that this helps.

What kind of files can I upload: For best results, we recommend uploading a JPG or PNG file at 150 dpi. We allow any JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF, AI, EPS, or SVC file under 40 MB.

While we can accept AI, EPS and SVC files, we strongly recommend against it. When you upload a Vector file (AI, EPS, or SVC), we convert it to a PNG. During the conversion process a vector file can change--transparent areas become un-transparent, fonts change, or unintended lines appear. If you export the file from Illustrator as a JPG or PNG before submitting it to Spoonflower, you have more control over how the file will look and you don't lose any quality.

[adpuf]

How big should my image be:

In the world of digital printing, resolution is often expressed as dots per inch (dpi) and Spoonflower produces a good quality print at our minimum resolution of 150 dpi. When creating your design, you will need a minimum of 150 pixels for every inch of your final print dimension. For example, if you'd like an image to print at 4" by 4", you'll want to prepare your file so that measures at least 600 by 600 pixels, since 4 inches x 150 pixels = 600. You can use this formula to size any image-- just multiply the print width and height in inches by 150 pixels. Here are some basic sizes:

8” = 1200 pixels
12" = 1800 pixels
18” = 2700 pixels
21” =3150 pixels
24" = 3600 pixels
27” = 4050 pixels
28” = 4200 pixels
29” = 4350 pixels
36” = 5400 pixels
42" = 6300 pixels
​54” = 8100 pixels
56” = 8400 pixels
58” = 8700 pixels​
What If My Design Has A Higher DPI Than 150?

When you upload your image we show you a preview at 150 dpi. This means that if you upload a file that’s been prepared at 300 pixels per inch, it will appear as double the size in the preview:​

   ​
150dpi Preview   300dpi Preview
​You can easily change the print dimension of your image by clicking “change dpi” or by using the “smaller” button. Use the horizontal and vertical rulers as a guide for print size.

What Settings Should I Use For Digital Photographs And Scanned Images?

If you’re starting with a digital photograph or scan, we suggest that you capture your image using a high quality setting. This will allow you to scale your image without compromising the quality of the image. Here are some additional tips:

Digital photographs - As a rule of thumb, a 3 megapixel camera can be used to capture an image that will nicely fill an 8"x8" swatch. A 10 megapixel camera will capture an image to fill an 18"x21" fat quarter. A full yard requires 40 megapixels, which at this point is only available in very high end professional cameras.

Scanned artwork - Typically scanners have a range of scanning resolutions starting at 150 dpi and escalating to 300, 600, 1200, and 2400. As a rule of thumb, a standard sheet of paper in landscape (11"x8.5") scanned at 300 dpi will fill a fat quarter. The same sheet scanned at 600 dpi will fill a yard.

See Also: Why can't I make my image bigger on Spoonflower?

See Also: What is resolution and how does it affect my image?

[adpuf]

How can I make sure my design is the color I want:
https://support.spoonflower.com/hc/en-us/articles/204444620-How-can-I-make-sure-my-design-is-the-color-I-want-

[Moini]

Wow, a print service that recommends not using vector files, because they might make mistakes when converting... Doesn't speak for a lot of proficiency in their job... (and they cannot even spell SVG...). Hope they're at least delivering good quality, fast and cheap (sorry, but I was just so baffled...)

[TMadisson]

Hi adpuf, I think from memory - maybe you could check - but in the export to PNG dialogue box, I think there is somewhere that allows you to specify the resolution you need.

[brynn]

I agree, it's very strange indeed that they prefer raster formats (non-vector).  Vector images are widely seen as a standard for printing....although printing on fabric probably can't benefit as much from the vector clarity anyway.  But it sounds like they want raster images for printing on paper.  Strange.

I had a quick look at their website.  It's probably none of my business, but I'm always wary as a consumer.  And with the strange non-vector thing, and misspelling SVG....  Well, for what it's worth, if it were me, I'd want to see some real world, hands on examples of the final product.  If nothing else, I would actually buy one of their fabrics, ideally one which is close to the kind of design you're using. 

Because the images they're showing for their fabric samples are not photos of the actual fabrics.  They're images of the design with some very fancy graphic effects added, to make them look....well I would say remeniscent of a printed fabric.  For example, this one which comes from this page.  To me, that looks more like wallpaper.  I would be very surprised if the fabric looks as good.

But anyway, back to what is more my business.  How are you doing with getting the transparent background?  Can we clarify anything for you?