Zwik Designer (ZD)
User Guide
- ZD Use Cases
- BASICS order – with artwork
- BASICS order – without artwork
- BIG Catalog – artwork ONLY
- How to Open ZD
- Import Artwork Standards
- Price Calculation
- Color Accuracy
- Saving Your ZD Files
- Product Info
- Templates
- Images
- Clipart
- Shapes
- Text
- Drawing
- Layers
- Context Sensitive Tool Controls
- Template Perspective Switcher
- Remove Backgound
- Crop
- Curve Text
- Text with Image Mask
- Zoom
- Layout Toolbar
- Auto-Snap
- Position
- Fill Color, Object Color
- Arrange Layers (forward, backward)
- Transform Manually
- More…
Zwik Designer is a design application, and a necessary part of the order process for BASICS Collection orders (e.g. colors, sizes, print method).
The Zwik Designer customization tool allows you to create, import, and edit your custom design on a product mockup.
Zwik Designer allows you to add text, images, clipart and other artistic elements to the blank apparel product you choose. Zwik Designer includes libraries of editable templates, full color images, extensive clipart, shapes, flexible fonts, and a freehand drawing feature.
Design tools and elements can be located with the “resource tabs” on the black menu bar.
These are the main areas on the Zwik Designer screen:
- Product
- Templates
- Images
- Clipart
- Text
- Shapes
- Drawing
- Layers
Additional controls/settings for each of these design resources are context-sensitive, and will pop-up as small icons on the toolbar.
Each resource tab is covered in more detail in the section titled “Resource Tabs”.
ZD Features Spotlight
- Blank products initially display their base price. (A) Some may have an upcharge (i.e. larger sizes, premium color).
- If there are any of these price adjustments, they are displayed in Zwik Designer (B)
• Big Sizes – hover over the dot to right of size selection box
• Premium Colors – hover over the color dot - Select relevant print price table (if option available). (C)
- Select quantities for each size and color. (D) There may be limited availability of some colors in some sizes (3X & up).
- Your itemized price calculation formula (your blank product costs combined with design costs) is located with the link at the bottom of the Product panel. (E1)
- Your current total is also conveniently displayed on the upper right corner of the screen. (E2)
- Create or import (“upload” button) (F) and edit YOUR design!
- Choose from a huge library of editable templates, images and artwork elements to incorporate into your design. Zwik Designer has powerful features, and is easy to use. (G)
- Artwork Upload Form Option (BASICS order): You may upload your ready artwork with our separate Upload Form (and bypass importing or creating your design in Zwik Designer). Use the image placeholder in Zwik Designer (under Images tab), so as to properly calculate and complete your order. (G)
TOOLBAR TIP: Keep an eye out for small context-sensitive icons that open additional controls/settings for the various design tools (easy to miss). They will popup on the white toolbar (under the blue menu bar) when using various design resources (tabs on black menu bar).
This is the most standard scenario for using Zwik Designer: a BASICS order with your artwork included in Zwik Designer.
Create/import/edit your artwork in Zwik Designer.
To import your pre-existing artwork into Zwik Designer, use the button labeled “Upload” under the “Images” tab on the black menu bar. Your design may then be edited in Zwik Designer.
Complete all other required information (quantities, colors, sizes, print order, etc.), and send to the shopping cart.
This is a Zwik Designer order that is submitted with all the required order information (color, size, quantity, print order, etc), EXCEPT for your actual artwork.
A dummy image placeholder is used in ZD in place of your image (to calculate printing charges). Place an image on EACH side you are printing. Then upload your artwork to us separately using the Upload Form.
While you would likely find importing your existing artwork into Zwik Designer to be easy and convenient, you may elect this alternative option for reasons including:
- Your artwork being created elsewhere is not yet final or available, but you want to place your order now to get things rolling, and submit your artwork later.
- You have questions for our support team about your image quality or printing – before finalizing submission.
- You already have a complete artwork file, and (for whatever reason) prefer not to import, or are having difficulty importing, into Zwik Designer.
- You are creating or obtaining your artwork in a way other than through the Zwik Designer customizer.
If using the BIG Catalog process and you do NOT already have complete artwork, you may elect to use ZD to create, edit and submit your artwork (ONLY). Select the “Universal Template” as the product used to design.
Follow the rest of the BIG Catalog process with Zwik Designer. Below is the new modified process (vs. the normal BIG Catalog process):
- Zwik Designer – submit for artwork completion & submission (only). Use “Universal Template”.
- Quote Request Form – submit for print job requirement.
- BIG Catalog – send shopping cart inquiry for blank product.
HOW TO OPEN ZWIK DESIGNER
Refer to the BIG Catalog process.
IMPORT ARTWORK STANDARDS
In addition to creating new designs in Zwik Designer, you can also import your existing artwork.
SVG, PNG, JPG or JPEG are preferred formats
300ppi is the minimum resolution recommended for the highest quality results.
To import your design, click the “Upload” button under the “Images” tab on the black resource menu.
Importing your artwork into Zwik Designer
PRICE CALCULATION
Click “Price Calculation Formula” at the bottom of the “Product” tab panel for your itemization of all costs.
- BASICS – Blank product and printing costs are displayed.
- BIG Catalog – Product and printing costs are included in our quote response to you. Zwik Designer may be used free for submitting ONLY your artwork.
- Embroidery –
- DTF Film –
COLOR VARIATION
Blank Product Colors: Apparel colors displayed in the Zwik Designer tool (product templates) are computer generated based on manufacturer provided color codes. These colors may not appear as accurate as photographs of the actual garment or fabric swatches. (Check product listings for photos.)
Printing Color vs. Display Color: Product printed colors will be an approximate match to those uploaded, submitted or selected by buyer. The appearance of all colors displayed on any monitor may vary with individual hardware properties and settings.
Pantone PMS color matching is a separate service available if you require exact Pantone PMS color matching (e.g. for logo printing). Additional fees may apply for Pantone colors.
NUMBER OF COLORS USED IN DESIGN
Hover over the rectangle on the lower left corner of the design area to view the number of colors used in the design.
THERE MAY BE SOME INACCURACIES IN THIS BETA VERSION. All orders will be manually reviewed for accuracy and pricing will be corrected if needed.
SAVING ZWIK DESIGNER FILES
Save to shopping cart in account (Files saved to “MyDesigns” will store to your device, not to your account.)