I'm hoping y'all can help me with an issue I"m having with a screen printer.
I'm not a pro graphic artist. I'm self-taught, starting with "tweaking" and "improving" designs started by the printer's paid artists when they have had trouble getting the concept in my head onto the shirt. I enjoy it and have done two designs "from scratch" myself.
Both times there have been issues with the file format. It frustrates me to death. Everything I read online says AI can handle .svg, but when I send that format, everyone there, including the professional graphic artist, scratches their heads and says, "It must not be vector art." Hello? sVg- the V is for vector, right?
Just a few minutes ago I received an email from the print shop owner who had sent my file to another graphic artist who told the shop owner that it appeared to be of photoshop origin and was obviously not vector art, etc.
I know these people are professionals and mean well. There has to be an explanation here.
if AI can handle .svg, why can't they open my inkscape files?
Do any of you use inkscape to send multi-color designs to screen printers? How do the printers handle it? Do you use a separate layer for each color or do they sort them themselves?
I hate to take things personally, but the truth is I have put countless hours into this and there is no way I'm handing it to them to let someone else "start over," which will cost more money, of course.
Anybody run into this?
Thanks in advance-
T
PS- the first design I did with this printer, where I did it all myself, I wound up making the image the actual size I wanted it on the garment, then sending a separate pdf file for each color, with that image all in black. This was apparently alot of trouble for them. I dont' get it. If I'm working with what others seems to use even as professionals, why on earth am I having so much difficulty communicating with the printer?

In the print word "vector" is Postscript or whatever Illustrator produces.

Thanks, ofnuts.
So, you think they don't really get the technical distinction between raster and vector? I'm still hoping to hear from someone who uses inkscape with screen printing. I know some of the online T printing places will take .svg files.

Not quite sure if I fully understood your and printshop crew`s problem.

If you open new file in Inkscape, import bitmap and then save file as .svg - it would be still a bitmap. Perhaps you already know about that, but I`m just curious. Also, Inkscape is not quite good in handling CMYK colors so you should be aware of that, but preparation for printing could be just a matter of printer`s choice and it`s always better to check with them what would they prefer.

mom3tami wrote:Thanks, ofnuts.
So, you think they don't really get the technical distinction between raster and vector? I'm still hoping to hear from someone who uses inkscape with screen printing. I know some of the online T printing places will take .svg files.

They just don't know about SVG... PS is (proprietary) vector.

Maestral, thanks for the input and sorry for confusion. I haven't slept alot lately
The printshop does not have inkscape. All they have is AI. They keep telling me that AI won't open svg. Interestingly, I downloaded a trial of AI last night, and it opens svg files fine, though there is one part of the artwork that looks freaky. 99% of it is fine, and it certainly had no trouble opening it.
About bmp's: If I'd imported a bmp, then I'd have converted it to paths (or whatever you call that process) before working with it and saving it as .svg. In this case that is moot because it's 100% drawn in Inkscape from the beginning. (Side question: if it was a bmp, it wouldn't show nodes in paths, even in inkscape, would it?)
To clarify the problem:
Main question is input from anybody who uses inkscape for screen printing to see how their printer handles the svg files.
Secondarily, any idea why their ai won't open svg if ai is supposed to be able to?
The whole thing is just frustrating and confusing because I know I'm producing vectored artwork that should be visible in the program they have, but they keep saying it is not openable and they're sure that if it were openable, it would not be vectored artwork. I'm going through the shop mgr who doesn't seem to be tech savvy. She doesn't want me to talk to the printer or graphic artist directly because she doesn't want me to be able to cut out the middleman (her), which makes sense.
Bottom line: I need to know how to get my perfectly usable inkscape art onto a Tshirt. Is it common to have such problems with screen printing people? What can I do to get around the problem so the printer can do his job with minimal frustration and so that i don't have to drive myself crazy?
Thanks for your expertise-
T

Well I'm still not the person you need to hear from, but I do usually read nearly all messages that are posted here. I know I've read messages from people making t-shirt designs, where they were putting each color on a separate layer. You could search the forum for "t-shirt" or something like that, and find some of them. I'm not sure how much that would help, but you might pick up some helpful tips, if you have some time to do a good search.

It does sound like your print shop may not be knowledgeable about all aspects of printing. Perhaps all they print is shirts? I do have the impression that print shops tend to have certain preferences about software. Since Adobe Illustrator is pretty much the state of the art for vector graphics, it tends to be the favorite for many print shops. It may not be so much that they've never heard of SVG as it is that they just prefer AI.

On the other hand, Maestral is right. If you import, for example, a JPG into Inkscape, and you Save As SVG, the JPG is still a raster format. You would certainly be welcome to upload your SVG image for us to look at, if you have any question about its content.

I don't understand your last comment about a black image that needed several PDFs? Unless it had some shading, like several shades of gray?

I don't know much about screen printing, but I do know that there are plenty of cut rate places that will only do the cheapest and easiest way possible. You can really tell just by looking, at some printed t-shirts, about the skills of the screenprinter. Perhaps this shop mostly prints small logos on company clothing in single colors, and are just not set up for complex or multi-color projects? It may pay off in the long run to do a little market research in your local area. You may well find a business that is better qualified to do what you want. And if it costs a little more, it might be worth it. I mean, if they are not even conversant about SVG, it sounds like they don't have a very broad experience in printing. Because I know I've read messages about printers that will accept SVG images. I've even seen some where a printer will accept PNGs! But I think vector will always produce a better result.

And having said ALL that I was thinking that you might try Save As Plain SVG. There is some kind of difference between Inkscape SVG and Plain SVG, and I have seen some messages where saving as Plain SVG allowed an image to be opened in some other programs, when Inkscape SVG would not open.

PS - Oops, you posted another reply while I was typing at worm speed, lol. I'll review it, and add more comments if I have any

One more comment. Perhaps they have an old, or who knows, maybe even pirated copy of AI, that doesn't work right, or is also very old? If they still can't open the Plain SVG, I think I would look around for a better or more professional printer. (Because you're right, a current version of AI is capable of opening Inkscape SVG files.)

"Plain SVG" <dumb look on face> never thought of that- duh
Thanks, that's a great idea.

I'm kinda stuck with this printshop for reasons that don't matter to this conversation.
Thanks for confirming that ai should be able to open the svg.
This shop does almost 100% screen print Tshirts, hoodies, etc.

About the "black" layers: When the screen print person prepares their screen, they do so by printing a black image onto the "screen" so that the black is omitted. This way the parts left open are totally free for ink to pass through. (At least that's my interpretation of how they've explained it- I've only done very rudimentary screening myself.) Therefore, if your design has, let's say 2 colors which are red and green, the print person would need a file (or at least a layer) of the red design parts but the file would show those areas as black, and a separate file or layer for the areas that would print green, but again they'd show on the screen as black. I hope that makes sense. I *think* I understand that a multicolor design in ai is able to be "color separated" very easily in the printing options, whereas that option is not available in inkscape. My thinking was that since ai can open svg, then the print person opens the svg, saves as ai, then prints as usual. Since my guy can't open it, that's a problem. But I'd think that would mean any file they could open could then be "vectorized" by ai, wouldn't it?? Just like you can "trace a bmp" in inkscape?
So because they don't seem to be able (or know how?) to do a workaround for color separations, I'm stuck sending in separate files for each color to be printed. In this case, it's 10 separate files because I have a 4 color front, a 1 color back, and two sets of screens so the kid shirts have a smaller design than adult shirts. The two sizes are because it isn't vectored by the time they get it, so it has to be the exact size that will be printed to avoid crappy edges.
That reminds me- when saving my inkscape to pdf last night, some layers would save the right size and others would decide to be humongous for no reason. My adult files are about 12x12, and come into pdf that size, but my kid sizes are 10x10 (inches) but show up in pdf as almost 18" wide??? That's only partly related to the initial question, so I may need to make that a new thread.
Incidentally, I've searched and searched these forums and others for help. I try to do that before posting to save y'all extra effort.
Thanks again. Now, back to cutting the parts out of each layer that will be covered by another color, and to making sure all white is gone from each image... Will try to upload a file later.
Tami

I think I attached the file here??? The file I really need to upload is too big. This is one of the first drafts before it got complicated.

Hi Tami,

I *think* I understand that a multicolor design in ai is able to be "color separated" very easily in the printing options, whereas that option is not available in inkscape. My thinking was that since ai can open svg, then the print person opens the svg, saves as ai, then prints as usual.

I don't understand about this color separation, so I couldn't say if that's a logical conclusion. Someone familiar with AI might know.

For the size issue, check and see...Oooohhh, this might solve all the problems -- might! In the PDF dialog, when you Save As PDF, there's an option to rasterize filter effects. I doubt if you used filters, and I see that you've uploaded the file, so I'll have a look at it in a minute. But anyway, make sure that option is not checked. I was thinking that the difference in size might have something to do with the DPI setting in the PDF dialog. (I'm currently very confused about DPI, so that is maybe not an appropriate reason. But it could be, if I understand correctly.) Anyway, make sure the DPI setting stays the same for both adults and children sizes. Also make sure you have export area correct (drawing or page).

When you checked on the image sizes, were you in Inkscape, or the AI trial? Inkscape and AI use 2 different default DPI, so all Inkscape images are a different size in Adobe. I'm not positive, but I think that the DPI setting in the PDF dialog can be used to account for that, and make them the same size. But I'm really not sure about that -- as I said, I'm really confused about DPI right now.

In my copy of Inkscape, under "Restrict to PDF version" I only have one option (PDF 1.4). I don't know if other versions of Inkscape might list more than one PDF version. But you might make sure that your selection there is compatible with the printers' version of AI.

Ok wait, now I'm confused . One minute we were talking about their AI not being able to open your SVG files. But now we're talking PDFs. We need to be clear about this, because it might matter. Can they open your PDFs? And if so, why do they also need SVGs?

I'll look at your file now, and if I have any comments, I'll post them

(Your topic title is fairly broad, so I don't think you need another topic.)

Thanks, Brynn. You are very kind to help.
My version of Inkscape gives the option of 1.4 or 1.5. I'm choosing 1.5 because I figure that'll be the most advanced, but I could be wrong.
About svg vs pdf and why I'm talking about both. (at this point I'm talking in circles I think- arg) IF I can get them to open an svg, which I haven't given up on yet, then the files will be vector format and produce better results at any size. I won't have to size my designs and so I won't have to provide a whole separate set of files for the child size shirts. More importantly, if they can open an svg, it'll likely retain the layers and save me from having to do so many files anyway. If they can't open the svg, the only thing I've sent that they CAN open is pdf (oh, and an eps experiment but that was a bust because it rasterizes if there are any gradients). Since I know they can open pdf, then my workaround is separate pdfs for each size and color. It's alot of work to get all that set up, and seems so pointless if they should be able to just open up my original and separate all the colors themselves.
btw, about the colors, it doesn't matter what color I have in the design, I choose ink colors specifically from the bottle, so to speak. I ask for a sample of the color on the fabric that will be receiving it, then choose. So the file may be appearing in black or yellow or whatever and it won't matter if they're told to use metallic gold ink for that layer. Make sense?
I saved as plain svg and sent. Haven't heard back yet. Holding my breath...
ideally I want to be able to confidently send my svg file and have them separate the colors as necessary to print. Doing path/difference and other graphic gymnastics on each thing, then manually selecting what goes in each file or layer, then converting to black instead of real color, then saving in whatever format before sending- is a pain I'd rather not have to endure. Maybe I"m just lazy. I keep hoping to hear from someone with experience in the area. It may be that I'm naiive and in fact should expect the norm to involve all this.
Thanks again,

Ok, so this is not the same file you're submitting to the printer, so I still can't be sure of the content. But with the fact that a Blur is a filter, I'll say that you would need to be sure that there are no filters in the file, and/or that the PDF dialog option to rasterize filter effects is not checked. Although I'm still a little confused about the SVG/PDF issue.

Anyway, in this file there are some shapes, like Rectangle, Ellipse, many Stars. I think AI looks at those differently, so that even though they ARE vector objects, AI might not see them the same way as Inkscape. You could try changing all the shapes to path (Path menu > Object to Path), and that might make their copy of AI like it better.

There also are a number of Groups, which I'm not sure how AI handles. I mean, AI should be able to open Inkscape SVGs anyway, and it's hard to know what's causing it not to open. And I realize that you probably made the groups just for organization and handling. But for a last ditch effort, I suppose you could ungroup everything right before you send it (but save a whole copy for yourself before you do that and lose your groups that you might need later).

I also found several nested Groups of 1, and after I ungrouped a few times, it finally came down to a Group of 0 objects. That one has me stumped lol! It's only selectable using Tab key, and appears to be in the vicinity of the winged object at the bottom. Of course if I Ungroup that, then nothing is left. Anyway, I'm wondering if maybe AI doesn't know how to handle a Group of 0?

Oops, there you posted a reply while I was typing. Good then, now I understand about the SVG vs PDF. That makes sense. If the Plain SVG doesn't work, you can look at the DPI issues for the PDF sizes. But my thought about rasterizing filter effects doesn't apply.

Now that I do understand....well, I'm not sure. I have read in these forums that Inkscape and AI have different default DPIs, and results in files being different sizes. But I don't know if that only affects SVGs or if other file formats are affected as well. Maybe someone else can clear that up. It's also confusing because it sounds like the adult sizes come out ok, and it's just the child size that's affected. I'm still not sure about that, unless you had inadvertently changed the DPI in the PDF dialog.

Well, on Plain SVG

Several things were skipped, unjustified ,)

In your files shapes have outline, which is not quite often acceptable from printers. It mostly depends on method used in printshop but text should be also converted to outlines aswell. The whole story about designers scratching their heads over your file now sounds like... well, now I`m scratching my head ,)

Take a look at these, and I think you`ll find a way to prepare it correctly. Bare in mind Brynn`s suggestion about DPI`s and it should work like a charm ,) full sails

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/12 ... lustrator/
* this one is for AI, but it`s all about vectors so it can be done in any graphApp.
<<< click! - but, those with a cheaper tickets should go this way >>>

It's very interesting to hear your feedback, thank you.
Answering your questions, producing more:
There shouldn't be any filters in there anywhere. In this one, there aren't even any gradients. Just all solid colors.
As far as shapes vs paths, that's something I hadn't considered. I thought if it had nodes, it was paths. Is that not the case? I will double check to make sure it's all paths.
The ungrouping thing is curious. I do group/ungroup things as I go, but I never bother to ungroup for the purpose of saving. I suppose I could ungroup everything at once before saving, but I, like you, am very confused about why it would come down to 0 objects. Hmmm... That winged object is a Stingray (non anatomically correct and is the one thing that looks funky in my ai when it opens the svg. I *think* I changed the stroke to paths on that thing in an attempt to use a copy of it to cut out just the stroke below. When I remove the stroke the regular way, the fill gets bigger, which screws up the printing. I finally wound up using the copy in a very low opacity with no fill, putting that over top of the "real" one, removing the stroke from the "real" one, insetting it, then manually bringing it back out to the edges of the original stroke (using the ghosted copy of the original over top). How's that for complicated? I'll never again have a stroke in a different color if it's to be screen printed. next time I'll make two in the two different colors with no stroke, make the one bigger and put it behind the other, then do path/difference. Live and learn, right?
I think I have the dpi thing covered. I made sure all selections were the same.
Wish I could upload the final, but the file is just too big. Lemme see if I can save just the main image with no other layers and get that small enough.

Thanks, Maestral-
Pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by "skipped" and "unjustified"?
re: outlines>> See my answer to Brynn where I stumbled backward into the outline answer. If I'd known then what I know now, right?
re: text>> All text converted to paths.
re: headscratching>> hahahahaha. I told you I was a self-taught amateur, stumbling my way through. Happy to learn but not always learning quickly or gracefully.

re: dpi's and your links>>> looking at that and post later.

Thank you so much.

Omgoodness, you should see some of the files when I was learning Inkscape. And even still sometimes they get crazy. I was always determined to make something work, and if I could get a result that looked ok, without having to learn something new, that was fine with me, lol! I can't imagine how a Group of 0 could happen, but clearly it can.

That's true, that if it has nodes, it's a path, and it's vector. But the reverse isn't, so if it doesn't have nodes, it's not vector, that's not necessarily true. The shapes don't technically have nodes. They have handles with which you can adjust the shape, but not nodes. I guess I can't explain how or why shapes are vectors, but as far as I know, they definitely are. And I also can't explain how AI might see them differently. Probably it sees them as vector, but I'm just trying to think of anything that might help them to open the SVG. Honestly I think they must have an older version of AI.

I don't know how large the file is, but the limit in the forum is pretty low. You could upload to a regular image host (imgh.us is the only one I know that accepts SVG) or a file sharing site like MediaFire. As long as you give us a link, we can find it and down load it. Although if it's really huge (more than say 5 to 10 mb), we might not be able to open it. But for a t-shirt design, I can't image it being that large.

The limit is 250k I think, and I can't get mine below 260 or something like that I *think* I uploaded a file to filesharesite (see link below). It *should* be a "regular" svg with 5 layers, one the "whole" image, and one for each of 5 colors. It may well still have some things that need to be corrected. I started sending to the printer well before I thought it was done because I figured we'd have issues to resolve. I may have one more that might help. will keep looking. I haven't heard from the printer today. They are either busy with a big job (likely), or they're so sick of me they don't want my business- ha Nothing worse than a little knowledge, huh? Silly customers, they read something on the internet and think they're a professional! hahahahahha
http://www.filesharesite.com/files/2012 ... d.svg.html

Has your printer given a reason WHY they can't use raster? Is it size?
AFAIK the last step before making a screen is to render a raster image of each color separation; if you give them that image, with whatever registration marks they ask for, in the DPI they ask for, they should be able to go from there. Admittedly this is exactly the work you would like to avoid, but as long as you are using spot color only it should be fairly easy to do. Every print shop should be able to read a TIFF file, and probably PNG as well. JPG would definitely be a no-no, though.

Just to save you reading a long discussion, druban, it sounds to me like the printers might only focus on clothing, and otherwise don't know much about other types of printing. But apparently Tami can't go elsewhere.

Tami, I'll try to download your file. At this point, I doubt we will learn much, but I'll let you know

Edit
Well, if this solves the problem, it means your printers really don't know what they're doing, in my opinion (no offense intended). I really can't imagine they didn't see it though. I'm leaning towards their AI being outdated, to be honest. Or maybe there's some issue with the SVG made on your system, and opening it in AI on some other operating system?? Anyway, when I opened your file, I found all 5 layers, locked and hidden. It would appear to be an empty file, if someone did not know to look for locked and/or hidden layers. Maybe to be safe, you should send the file with layers visible and unlocked? I know it looks weird that way, but you seem to be running out of options.

I don't see ANY non-vector content! The only problem might be with the text. Maybe they think the text is not vector, for some reason. Text does tend to be problematic when you're dealing with different file formats and/or graphics programs. So you could convert the text to path (Path menu > Object to Path). I guess they didn't tell you which parts of the file they thought weren't vector?? That would be too easy, right (Be sure and save a copy of the text, either in a hidden layer, or somewhere, as text, because once you convert to paths, you won't be able to edit as text.)

Well here's a thought Since Inkscape is free, how much trouble would it be for them to download and install it?! Then they should be able to open the files, and do whatever they need to do to make them open in AI. I mean, they might not even need to do anything, other then re-save them. Sometimes just getting files saved on the same computer can solve incompatibility problems. If they still can't use the file after you change all the text to paths, then the next best option, to my thinking, would be to ask them to install Inkscape, and resave the files to their computer. Then try to open in their AI.

That nested Group of 1 which eventually ungroups to a Group of 0, before disappearing entirely, shows up in all but one layer (which seems almost as strange as having a group of 0 in the first place, lol). Since it's so unusual, I'm thinking you should probably delete it. Perhaps that type of thing might even be considered a corruption, although that would just be a guess. Maybe I should say that if it were me, I'd delete it from every layer where it appears. Or apparently ungrouping until the status bar says "No groups to ungroup" will get rid of it.

Another thing I notice is that almost all the layers contain content that falls outside the page border. In certain situations, this could cause that content not to be displayed. If I understand how screenprinting works (which is not very well) I don't think it will matter. But still another oddity to correct, since we may be "grasping at straws" at this point. Anyway, you can easily fix that by making all layers visible, then Edit > Select all in all layers, then Document Properties > Page tab > Orientation > Custom Size > Resize page to content. If you want a small margin, change the values on all 4 sides before clicking Resize.... button.

So the layer "10" for kids" is the whole image with color? And then all the others are actually black, but according to your color choices, each layer will print in a different color? That nested Group of 1/Group of 0 that shows on all but one layer, shows to have a color (according to Fill and Stroke indicators), even on layers where everything else is black, although it can't be seen at all. You can find it by unhiding each layer, one by one, click on the canvas, then Tab key slowly until you see it. When you find it, the area of the stingray will be centered on the canvas, and you'll see "Group of 1" in the status bar, and the Fill/Stroke will indicate a gold fill and red stroke. And when you Ungroup, it will still say Group of 1, until you've clicked ungroup 4 or 5 times, it will eventually say Group of 0. After that, one more click of Ungroup, and it will disappear. I've done that already in the file I downloaded, and I did not see any content disappear. So I think it's safe to do.

Ok, so that's about all I can find that might matter. Do you still want me to Save As PDF to see if the file gets larger? I'm still not clear if you might have been in the AI trial version when you noticed it was bigger.

If changing text to path doesn't work, and you do have to resort to all these other weird things to make it work, try to do them one at a time, so you will learn which thing was causing the problem.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they can open the Plain SVG, and maybe you won't have to deal with any of these suggestions But if you do, start with Text to path. That probably has the best chance of helping

Hi Brynn, I did read through the topic, and I was asking about standard t-shirt screenprinting procedures, as I have used them in the past. (But i'll read again, just to make sure.) Thank you for summing things up for me, though.
The mesh(TPI) of even the very finest screen for t-shirt printing is so low that it makes a high resolution pixel image unnecessary. I mentioned sending TIFF and PNG pre-separated imagefiles because it seemed that the original poster had NOT tried this route yet. Apologies if I have diverted your problem solving direction.

Later: I downloaded and looked at your file. It seems that you are using Inkscape layers to organize the different separations. Inkscape layers are only understandable to Inkscape and not translatable in any meaningful way by other programs, even SVG reading ones. Therefore the idea of naming your layers with the colors, and especially hiding and looking at each one separately, is completely lost. Very likely what they are seeing is everything all together with no way to separate them - sort of like what you would have if you moved everything into one layer.
My best advice is to put registration marks in your file and then start deleting all but one of the layers and exporting a color named -bitmap and saving as a color-named SVG. Do this for each color. If you send the printer one SVG/bitmap for each color they MAY be able to understand. although as Brynn mentioned, I may not have read your question correctly.

Also: There is a large invisible rectangle in all your layers ... why?
Also; The font you used for "do or do not etc." is not a standard font, so you should convert it to paths before sending the SVG anywhere.
Also: The red layer letters overlap the graphics . This may not be the case with your original font.
Also: the gray layer has a lot of stars in it. I am not sure if this shape is readable by AI. Best to make them into paths. This layer also has gradients with a transparency, as well as opacity variation. Both of these are problematic. The gradient should be to white, and the opacity should be a solid /lighter color.
ETC.

Not at all, druban
I'm sure Tami appreciates all comments

You bet Tami appreciates all comments! You guys are a generous wealth of information and experience. Thank you again.
Don't worry about trying to save to pdf, Brynn. I've used enough of your time.
Druban, your idea of saving to a non-vector file is exactly what I've resorted to in the past, and it looks like what I'll be doing again.

I am not sure I'll ever have *all* the answers to these questions, but I have learned a great deal.

I knew about text to paths, but I did not know about the shapes being considered "shapes" even though they had nodes. I had never noticed the bar at the bottom that announces how many of what types of items are on the screen, so that was a gain for me.

I did not know about registration marks- that'll be very helpful in making sure my artwork gets on the shirt the way I intend. Because i kind of backed into doing this, I don't think the shop owner (not the printer or graphic artist. The owner does none herself and is not on site with either, which adds to the problem I think.) ever really thought to brief me with specific requirements other than, "We always send him (the printer) an illustrator file." I'm not sure how much she really knows/understands herself, or how much of that she can communicate in a meaningful way.

That group of zero thing is a mystery. In the latest version of the work, I have made sure each layer has all paths and no groups. I'll look for the item y'all have seen and get it deleted. I had found one other artifact behind the last "S", a remnant from my original creation of the light saber handle on that side. I had put in some lines between some shapes just to hold a place visually until I got more of it together. I don't think it would've mattered because it was small and would've blended with anything else. Plus, I'm having the gold printed last just so if there's anything that isnt' lined up perfectly or there but unnoticed by me, it'll be covered by metallic gold ink, which is thick stuff. (The "Sting Rays" big letters are in gold.)

The invisible rectangle is a bit of a mystery to me. There's the canvas, of course, but I don't think that's what you're talking about. In the full color image, there's a black rectangle behind everything to simulate what it'll look like on a black T-shirt. Maybe that got translated into the layers and I turned off the fill but forgot to delete it. Will check.

The idea of changing the transparency to white is new to me. I'd sent a question to the vendor yesterday asking if white would mess things up. In my mind, anything that isn't clear is going to print onto the screen and block ink, no matter what color it is. Including white would be very helpful for me. i've spent a ridiculous amount of time taking out the stroke from around the big letters and the stingray when I could've left them white. If I left them clear, the fill "expanded" to fill half the thickness of the old stroke. I had no luck clipping or path/difference-ing them out. I wound up deleting the stroke from that layer, insetting the remaining shape, then lowering the opacity of the stroke in the layer where it appears and working node by node to bring the ray back out to the exact line I need it to reach.

About the empty looking file due to unseen/locked layers... In the files I've sent them so far, there have been no layers. All the test files have been the whole thing in color, so that shouldn't be an issue.

My conclusion at this point is that the vendor just doesn't quite know what to do with a customer who does their own art. I think real-sized pdfs in separate files for each color is gonna have to be it.

Lots to do yet, and haven't even gotten beyond concept on the back. I'll have a hundred kids' names to get right while adding random Star War's character names in the mix, then getting all that on the back in a "graduated" font size like the Star Wars credits. Y'all helped me with that concept a few weeks back.
Being a non-pro GA means that I also have housework, a birthday party, dinner, homeschooling my 3 kids, blah blah blah- gotta go be responsible.

THANKS AGAIN- we may not have solved it completely, but the time was well spent and will save future problems I am sure.
Tami

cont'd.

Here are examples of what would NOT make a printer tear his hair out.
When exporting bitmaps I just kept the regmarks layer visible and turned off all layers but the one I was exporting, one by one. Inkscape does not allow you to alter bit depth (# of colors, see next post) or - and this is very important - resolution. To do that you must go into a raster editing program. I recommend 300 DPI, although this really depends on the print shop and the finest lines in your image.
These are all 1-bit B/W (first 3 colors) or 8-bit Grayscale (Glow color only). For screenprinting with custom colors this is what you need!
Attached is a 7Z archive with the SVG as well as all four separations @ 300 DPI, as much as any tshirt screenprinting process could ever handle. Note the BW color depth makes even these 3761 X 3680 pixel files tiny.