Will the Background Color of My Uploaded Artwork Be Printed?

Uploaded a logo, photo, or graphic to the Bolt Printing Design Studio and noticed a white or colored background behind your artwork? Don't worry! That background doesn't necessarily need to appear on your finished custom T-shirts.

Our production artists review your uploaded artwork and prepare a digital proof before your order goes into production. During this process, unwanted image backgrounds are removed so your design can be printed as intended.

What Happens to the Background of My Uploaded Artwork?

When you upload a logo or image into the Design Studio, your file may contain a solid background behind the actual artwork.

For example, your company logo might appear inside a white rectangle, even though you only want the logo printed on the shirt.

During the artwork proofing process, our production artists prepare your design and remove unwanted background elements.

Your digital proof will show you how the artwork is intended to appear on your selected garment.

Do I Need to Remove the Background Before Uploading?

You don't have to remove an unwanted background yourself before uploading your artwork. Our production artists review uploaded designs and prepare them for printing.

However, providing artwork with a transparent background can make it easier to see how your design will look on the garment.

If you're preparing artwork yourself, a PNG file with a transparent background is often a useful option.

You can learn more about preparing your artwork in our Artwork and File Guidelines.

How Can I Make Sure My Artwork Background Won't Print?

Every Bolt Printing order goes through a digital artwork proof approval process before production begins.

When you receive your proof:

1. Open Your Artwork Proof: Use the link in your proof email or access it through the Customer Center.
2. Check the Background: Make sure unwanted white or colored areas surrounding your artwork have been removed.
3. Review the Design: Confirm that the correct artwork elements, colors, and placement are shown.
4. Approve or Request Changes: If everything looks correct, approve your proof. If something needs adjusting, select the option to request changes.

For detailed instructions, visit our How to Review and Approve Your Artwork Proof guide.

What If I Want the Background Color Printed?

Sometimes a colored background is an intentional part of a logo or graphic rather than an unwanted element.

If your design includes a background color that you specifically want printed, make that clear in your order comments or artwork instructions.

Our team can review your request and help clarify which artwork elements are intended to appear in the finished design.