When ChatGPT launched to the public at the end of 2022, most of us were like, “Chat .. what?”
Today ChatGPT and a host of AI tools are available to anyone who wants help organizing information, doing research, creating rough drafts, and even generating graphics and images.
AI tools can be incredibly beneficial for brainstorming, sorting through data or pulling together ideas for marketing content. Many businesses are finding AI tools can eliminate tedious tasks and boost productivity.
Here at Charleston Cotton Exchange, we see a number of customers using AI to create designs they want printed on apparel. The AI-generated images don’t always turn out great and aren’t the best quality for printing on T-shirts or other apparel items.
We’re not saying don’t use AI tools for image generation. But we do want to offer some tips and advice for how to use AI to create images that will look great on shirts.
Review AI-generated images carefully.
AI tools are pretty incredible, but they’re not humans. They don’t understand context and they’re prone to errors. If you’re using AI to create an image for your brand, be sure to review it carefully.
First, make sure the overall quality is good. We’ve all seen those AI images that look a bit off. They just feel fake, which can come off as unprofessional and cheap – not the vibe you want for your business.
Second, look for errors in AI images. AI tools have been known to add an extra finger or position hands in really odd ways.
Third, make sure the image reflects your organization’s brand style – that includes fonts and colors.
Use AI as a starting point.
If you have a graphic idea in mind, give your AI tool some prompts and let it help you brainstorm. Then, you can work with a professional designer to bring your idea to life in a way that looks polished and reflects your brand standards.
Visualize your design on a shirt, jacket, or hat.
Just because a design looks amazing on your computer screen doesn’t necessarily mean it will look as great on a T-shirt.
Also, think about the size of your graphic on an apparel item. You’re viewing the image on your oversized computer screen but the print size might be much smaller.
Designs with a lot of fine details likely won’t look as good when printed on the pocket area of a shirt or on a hat, for example. And that concept goes double for embroidered images.
Be mindful of trademark infringement.
AI tools are typically trained on existing materials. So the lines of who owns what are still a bit murky. AI has brought forth a lot of questions about intellectual property.
A ruling from the U.S. Copyright Office states that AI-generated images are not eligible for copyright status as they lack “human authorship.”
Don’t ignore existing trademarks and copyright laws just because you’re using AI. [Read one of our past blog posts about using another company’s logo in your design.]
This article from the Harvard Business Review has some good tips for businesses using AI-generated images.
Let a professional help.
As good as AI tools are – and they do get better everyday – they aren’t humans. And sometimes you simply need a human to help!
We have an in-house art department of graphic designers ready to bring your ideas to life. So whether you have some samples generated by AI or a napkin sketch, we can help.
We understand many businesses are looking to AI tools for budget-friendly options. We get it! Remember, you want to be brand brilliant. And if you’re relying on sub-par designs, it will reflect poorly on your business and your brand.
Just because you can use AI, doesn’t mean you should. For brainstorming, for quick social media graphics, or illustrations for an internal presentation, use AI. For your items that publicly reflect your brand, enlist humans.
That’s another benefit of working with a local screen printer. We make sure your design looks great. Our team will alert you to any issues with the provided image and send a proof for your approval. With Charleston Cotton Exchange, you get exactly what you ordered.
How to use AI well.
If you decide AI is the best solution for your business, make sure you give the tool detailed and specific prompts. Tell it what you want and what you don’t want. Give it guidelines. The more precise you are, the better results you’ll get.
Your checklist for using AI art in a screen printing order:
File Quality & Format
- High-resolution images (300 dpi)
- Preferred file types: Vector (AI, EPS, SVG) or Raster (PSD, PNG, TIFF). Avoid sending JPEG files.
- Ensure PNGs have a transparent background, not white.
Designs Tips
- Limit the number of colors to reduce cost.
- Avoid fine gradients and ultra-fine details.
- Convert text to outlines (for Vector files) to avoid font issues.
Preparation of Files
- Provide layered files (e.g. PSD or AI) if possible.
- Use CMYK or Pantone colors instead of RGB (where applicable).
Note, if you send an AI-generated image that requires touch ups or edits, we may charge an art fee.
Need help figuring out what apparel to order? Which design to use? How to get started with a new design? We’re here to help! Simply request a quote to start the process.
Check out our website or give us a call at (843) 764-0740 today!
Updated: June 15th, 2026