Sashes: from AI-generated artwork to a print-ready file

Customer story · Sashes

We did it again

The enquiry arrived on 25 August. On 9 September, the parcel went to the courier. In between were 28 sashes in two widths, one colour change and a collection of AI-generated designs that had to be redrawn as vectors before printing.

The shortest route to a new order is a previous order that went well. The customer returned saying the earlier sashes had turned out wonderfully — with a new design, a larger quantity and one additional question: could the sashes also be embroidered, or did we only offer printing? This is precisely why even urgent work deserves proper care. The next enquiry comes back with that same parcel.

An AI-generated design is not a print-ready file

The customer’s designs had been created using AI. They looked finished on screen, but for production they were image files: raster images made of pixels, without the paths a machine could cut or reproduce as lines. On a two-metre sash, every flaw is magnified: fine serif strokes become blurred, thin borders break up and noise appears along ornamental edges that was not noticeable on screen.

Each design was redrawn as vector artwork. The lettering, crown emblem, ornament and border became mathematically defined shapes that could be enlarged to any size without losing sharpness. Only then was the file submitted for approval.

Four steps from enquiry to parcel

• 01 — Vectorisation

  From image to print-ready file

  The AI-generated designs were redrawn as vector shapes, with each element separate so it could be moved and resized.

  • scalable shapes created from a raster image
  • sharp edges at every size
  • colours matched to the print profile
  • each nomination in a separate file
• 02 — Approval

  18 texts, zero typos

  The text for each sash was sent to the customer for individual review. A printed spelling mistake cannot be corrected afterwards.

  • the wording on each sash approved in writing
  • extra space added to the right after the text
  • sash width increased to stand out more clearly against clothing
  • final approval before production began
• 03 — Production

  Two widths, one colour change

  The whole order produced as one batch, in two widths and with a separate colour for the special sash.

  • 18 nomination sashes: 2000 × 125 mm
  • 6 placing sashes: 2000 × 150 mm
  • 3 winner sashes: 2000 × 150 mm
  • 1 burgundy VIP sash: 2000 × 150 mm
  • pointed end, contrasting border
• 04 — Delivery

  Direct to the end customer, under your name

  The parcel went straight to the event organiser, without any third party becoming visible in between.

  • direct delivery to the end customer
  • no manufacturer advertising or documents in the parcel
  • Plastrum OÜ shown as the sender on the courier label
  • one working day from approval to courier collection

What you actually need to decide when ordering sashes

A sash seems a simple product until the first enquiry. These seven points determine both the price and the finished result.

• Width and length — 2 m is a typical length; the width determines how prominently the sash appears in photographs and on stage
• End shape — pointed, straight or diagonally cut
• Printing or embroidery — embroidery adds texture, but fine strokes and small lettering can merge
• Border — a contrasting outline separates the sash from clothing and keeps the text readable
• Number of variations — different wording on every sash does not automatically mean a higher production cost
• File format — vector (AI, EPS, PDF), rather than JPG or PNG
• Time allowance — the approval process takes time, rather than production

Who we make sashes for

Beauty and fashion competitions, sporting events and award ceremonies, conferences and exhibitions, opening ceremonies, university graduations, promotional teams and brand representatives. Anywhere someone needs to be immediately recognisable in a room or photograph.