Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about ordering, artwork, shipping, and getting the most out of Bolt Printing.
How Do I Review and Approve My Custom T-Shirt Artwork Proof?
Before your custom T-shirts, embroidered hats, or other personalized apparel go into production, Bolt Printing sends you an artwork proof to review and approve.
This important step gives you the opportunity to check your design, confirm its placement, and request any necessary changes before printing begins. Here's how to review and approve your proof through our Customer Center.
Quick Answer
When your artwork proof is ready, Bolt Printing will email you a link to review it in the Customer Center. Carefully check your design's spelling, colors, size, and placement. Click Approve if everything looks correct, or Not Approved to request changes. Once you approve your proof, your order is locked in and moves into production.
What Is an Artwork Proof for Custom T-Shirt Printing?
An artwork proof is a digital mockup of your custom design prepared by one of Bolt Printing's professional production artists.
The proof shows how your artwork is intended to appear on your selected product before printing or embroidery begins.
Your proof includes important details such as:
- Artwork Placement: Where your design will appear on the garment.
- Design Alignment: How your artwork is positioned within the selected printing area.
- Print Dimensions: The final size of your design.
- Artwork Details: Your selected colors, lettering, and design elements.
- Areas Needing Attention: Any issues requiring your review may be highlighted in yellow.
Our production artists create your proof using the artwork, product selections, and special instructions submitted with your order.
What Does a Custom T-Shirt Artwork Proof Look Like?
Before printing begins, a Bolt Printing production artist prepares a digital mockup showing how your custom design will appear on your selected garment.
Our production artists review your artwork for proper alignment, placement, and overall appearance. Your proof also includes important details to help you understand exactly what you're approving.
When reviewing your proof, pay attention to:
- Design Placement: Check where your artwork will be printed on the garment.
- Artwork Alignment: Review how your logo, lettering, or graphic is positioned.
- Final Print Dimensions: Your proof shows the intended measurements of your printed design.
- Yellow Highlighted Boxes: These identify artwork details, potential issues, or other important information requiring your attention.
- Colors and Spelling: Confirm that the selected ink colors, lettering, and other artwork details are correct.
Example: A Bolt Printing artwork proof prepared for customer review before production.
Helpful Tip: If you see something you don't understand, especially a yellow-highlighted note, contact our team before approving. You can also select Not Approved to explain the changes you need. We require your artwork approval before production can begin.
Helpful Tip: An artwork proof is a digital preview, not a physical printed sample. Review the measurements and design details carefully rather than relying only on how large the artwork appears on your screen.
How Do I Review and Approve My Artwork Proof?
Approving your custom apparel proof is simple. Follow these steps once you receive your proof notification.
Step 1: Open Your Proof Email
When your artwork is ready for review, you'll receive an email from Bolt Printing with the subject line:
"Your Bolt Printing Proof is Ready"
Open the email and locate the link to view your artwork proof.
Step 2: Open Your Proof in the Customer Center
Click the proof link in your email. You'll be directed to your order's proof page in Bolt Printing's Customer Center.
Depending on how you placed your order, you may need to verify your information.
- Guest Checkout: Enter your Order Number and Ship-To ZIP Code when prompted.
- Registered Account: Log in with your email address and password if you're not already signed in.
Step 3: Carefully Review Your Artwork
Before approving, take a moment to inspect your entire design.
We recommend checking the following details:
- Spelling: Verify names, dates, phone numbers, business information, and other text.
- Garment Color: Make sure the correct product and garment color are shown.
- Ink or Thread Colors: Review the colors selected for your printed or embroidered artwork.
- Artwork Placement: Check that your design appears in the intended front, back, sleeve, or embroidery location.
- Design Size: Confirm the listed dimensions are appropriate for your order.
- Highlighted Areas: Review any yellow highlights or notes indicating something needs your attention.
Helpful Tip: Pay close attention to spelling and print dimensions. Your proof is your opportunity to catch errors and request adjustments before the order enters production.
Step 4: Approve Your Proof or Request Changes
Once you've reviewed your artwork, you'll have two options:
- Approve: Select this option if all artwork details look correct and you're ready for your order to move into production.
- Not Approved: Select this option if you need artwork changes, notice an error, or want to upload a revised design.
If you select Not Approved, explain the changes you need in the available notes section. You can also upload updated artwork when necessary.
Step 5: Submit Your Decision
After selecting your approval option or entering your requested changes, submit your decision through the Customer Center.
Bolt Printing will send you an email confirmation once your approval or change request has been received.
If you requested revisions, our production team will review your instructions before the artwork is finalized.
How Do I Find and Approve My Proof in the Customer Center?
Need to review your custom T-shirt or embroidery proof? You can access your artwork directly through Bolt Printing's Customer Center, even if you don't have the original proof email handy.
Follow these four steps to find your proof, review your design, and submit your approval or request changes before production.
Step 1: Open the Customer Center
Visit the Bolt Printing website and click Customer Center.
This section provides access to your custom apparel orders, saved designs, artwork proofs, and other customer tools.
Step 1: Select Customer Center on the Bolt Printing website.
Step 2: Select Review Proofs
Once you're in the Customer Center, find the option labeled Review Proofs.
Click Review Proofs to access the artwork approval section for your custom apparel order.
Step 2: Choose Review Proofs from the Customer Center.
Step 3: Enter Your Order Information
Next, provide the order information requested on the Review Proofs page.
If you placed your order as a guest, you'll need your Order Number and Ship-To ZIP Code.
Enter the required information and follow the on-screen instructions to access your artwork proof.
Step 3: Enter your order details to find your artwork proof.
Helpful Tip: You can find your order number in your Bolt Printing order confirmation email. Make sure you're entering the ZIP code associated with your shipping address, not a different billing ZIP code.
Step 4: Review Your Proof and Approve or Request Changes
Once you've accessed your artwork proof, carefully review the design before submitting your decision.
Check the following details:
- Spelling: Check all names, dates, numbers, and wording.
- Design Placement: Confirm your artwork is positioned correctly.
- Artwork Dimensions: Review the listed print or embroidery size.
- Ink or Thread Colors: Make sure your selected decoration colors are correct.
- Product Details: Verify the garment and any other information shown on your proof.
After reviewing your design, select the appropriate option:
- Approve: Choose this option if everything looks correct and you're ready for your order to move into production.
- Not Approved: Choose this option if you need changes. Explain the adjustments you want and submit your request.
Step 4: Review the artwork and approve your proof or request changes.
How Do I Request Changes to My Artwork Proof?
If something doesn't look right on your custom T-shirt or embroidery proof, you can request changes before approving your artwork.
Once you've accessed your proof through the Customer Center, follow these steps:
- Select No: Choose No when asked whether you approve your artwork proof. This indicates that changes are needed before production can begin.
- Describe Your Changes: Use the available text box to explain exactly what needs to be adjusted. Be specific about spelling corrections, artwork size, placement, colors, or other details.
- Upload Replacement Artwork (Optional): If you need to replace an image, logo, or design file, use the attachment option to upload your updated artwork.
- Click Submit: Once you've entered your instructions and attached any necessary files, select Submit to send your change request to Bolt Printing.
Select No, describe the changes you need, attach replacement artwork if necessary, and click Submit.
Helpful Tip: Give our production artists clear instructions about what you'd like changed. For example, instead of saying "move the logo," specify whether you want it centered, raised, lowered, or resized. Clear directions help us understand exactly what you're looking for.
After submitting your request, you should see a confirmation that your changes were sent. Our production artists will review your instructions before the artwork is finalized.
Important: If your artwork needs corrections, do not approve your proof. Once approved, your order is locked in for production and changes cannot be made.
What Happens After I Submit My Proof Decision?
After submitting your decision, the Customer Center will display a confirmation based on whether you approved your artwork or requested revisions.
If You Approved Your Proof
If everything looks correct and you select Approve, the system will confirm that your artwork proof has been approved.
Your order can then move forward into production using the approved design.
Expected Result: Confirmation that your artwork proof has been approved.
If You Requested Changes
If you select Not Approved and submit instructions for changes, the system will confirm that your revision request has been received.
Our production artists will review your notes and work on the requested adjustments before your artwork is finalized.
Expected Result: Confirmation that your artwork change request has been submitted.
Important: What You Approve Is What We Print! Carefully review your artwork before approving. Once your proof has been approved, your order is locked in for production and changes cannot be made.
Can I Watch a Video on How to Approve My Proof?
Prefer a visual walkthrough? Watch our video tutorial showing how to review your artwork proof and submit your approval through the Customer Center.
If the video doesn't appear, watch our artwork proof approval tutorial here.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My Artwork Proof?
Artwork proof turnaround times depend on your selected shipping level, product type, and when your order is placed.
Paid Shipping: Non-Embroidered Orders
For custom printed apparel orders using paid shipping:
- Before 3:00 PM Eastern Time on a business day: Your artwork proof is generally sent the same day.
- After 3:00 PM Eastern Time: Your proof is generally sent the next business day.
- Weekend Orders: Proof processing resumes on business days. For example, a Saturday non-embroidered order generally receives its proof Monday.
Free Shipping Orders
If you select free shipping, your artwork proof is typically ready within 1 to 4 business days, depending on current production volume.
Paid Shipping: Embroidered Orders
Custom embroidery requires additional artwork preparation. Proofs for paid-shipping embroidered orders are generally ready on the next business day after processing begins.
Weekend orders may take additional time. For example, an embroidered order placed Saturday may receive its proof Tuesday.
Important: The same-day proof cutoff is 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Proof turnaround time is separate from printing and delivery time. Your order must also receive artwork approval before production can begin.
What If I Need to Make Changes to My Artwork Proof?
If something doesn't look right, don't approve your proof yet.
Instead, click Not Approved and provide instructions explaining exactly what needs to be changed.
Common artwork revision requests include:
- Correcting spelling, names, or dates.
- Changing artwork size or alignment.
- Adjusting print or embroidery placement.
- Correcting artwork or color selections.
- Uploading an updated logo or design file.
Our production artists will review your requested revisions before the artwork is finalized.
Helpful Tip: Be specific when requesting changes. Instead of writing "make the logo bigger," explain the approximate size or placement you'd prefer. Clear instructions help our artwork team understand exactly what you're looking for.
Why Does My Artwork Proof Look Blurry or Pixelated?
Sometimes artwork proofs appear blurry because an email client or web browser compresses the preview image.
If your artwork doesn't look as sharp as expected, try the following:
- Open your proof directly in the Customer Center instead of relying on the email preview.
- Try viewing the proof in another web browser.
- Review the design at its intended display size.
- If the artwork still appears blurry, contact our team before approving.
Our production artists review artwork for quality before printing, but you should always ask questions if something in your proof doesn't look right.
Can I Speak to Someone Before Approving My Proof?
Absolutely! If you have questions about your artwork, print placement, sizing, or other proof details, you can speak directly with the Bolt Printing team.
Call us at (888) 909-2658 or use the Live Chat feature on our website.
Our customer service team is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
It's always better to clarify a question before approving your artwork than to discover an issue after your order moves into production.
What Happens After I Approve My Artwork Proof?
Once you approve your artwork proof, your order is finalized for production.
Our production team uses your approved proof to prepare and complete your custom printing or embroidery order.
Changes cannot be made after your proof has been approved.
This is why it's important to review every detail before submitting your final approval.
Remember: What You Approve Is What We Print! Always double-check spelling, artwork placement, ink colors, garment selections, and design dimensions before clicking Approve. Once approved, your order is locked in and sent to production.
Still Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Need help reviewing your artwork proof, requesting changes, or accessing your order in the Customer Center? Our team is happy to help before your custom apparel moves into production.
Phone: (888) 909-2658
Email: hello@boltprinting.com
Live Chat: Available on the Bolt Printing website during business hours.
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Eastern Time. Please include your order number when contacting us about an existing order.
Still have questions?
Our support team responds within a few hours during business days. We're happy to help with quotes, custom jobs, or artwork questions.
Or call 888-909-2658, Mon–Fri 9 am – 6 pm ET.