Production-ready pickleball paddle artwork should use the correct template, CMYK color mode, vector logos and key graphics where possible, outlined fonts, and the marked safe areas. The artwork approach should also match the selected paddle face material, Surface Finish, accessory, or packaging structure to reduce avoidable revisions before sampling.
In This Guide
- Start with the correct production template
- CMYK vs RGB
- Vector vs raster artwork
- Why convert fonts to outlines
- Print areas, safe areas, cut lines, and fold lines
- Designing for composite paddle faces
- Natural kraft vs full-color packaging
- Buyer artwork checklist
- Artwork preparation FAQ
Start With the Correct Production Template
Use the production template for the exact item you intend to customize. Artwork prepared on the wrong paddle shape can place a logo too close to the edge guard, while packaging artwork prepared on a different box structure can put text across a fold or on the wrong panel.
Do not resize, stretch, crop, rotate, or otherwise alter the original dimensions of a WERiDON production template unless your project representative confirms a different requirement. If your project uses a custom mold, custom size, or packaging structure not listed in the standard resources, confirm the correct template before finalizing the artwork.
Download the current WERiDON production templates from the Downloads page. Standard resources include common paddle shapes, handle ring, end cap sticker, paddle cover, natural kraft mailer box, and full-color mailer box templates.
CMYK vs RGB: Prepare Print Artwork in CMYK
RGB is designed primarily for screens, while CMYK is the standard working color mode for most printed artwork.
| Color Mode | Primary Use | What It Means for OEM Artwork |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | Websites, phones, monitors, digital media | Useful for screen presentation, but some bright colors will not reproduce the same way in print. |
| CMYK | Print production | Use CMYK when preparing final paddle and packaging artwork. |
Converting an RGB design to CMYK at the last minute can shift bright or saturated colors, so review the final production artwork in CMYK before approval.
CMYK preparation does not guarantee identical color on every material. Base color, visible weave, paper color, surface texture, coating, and printing method can all influence the finished result. Production samples remain important when color presentation is critical.
Vector vs Raster Artwork
Vector artwork is strongly preferred for logos, text, icons, line graphics, and most brand elements because it can be scaled without creating blurry or jagged edges.
| Artwork Type | Best Used For | Production Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Vector | Logos, typography, line graphics, geometric artwork | Scales cleanly and is easier to adjust. Editable AI or print-ready PDF files are preferred. |
| Raster | Photos, painted textures, complex pixel-based artwork | Can be used when resolution is sufficient at final size. Enlarging a low-resolution image does not restore missing detail. |
Raster artwork can be used for photographic or texture-based elements when resolution is sufficient at final size. Logos, text, and other key brand elements should remain vector whenever possible.
Why Convert Fonts to Outlines
If a production computer does not have the exact font family, weight, or version used in your design, live text can be substituted or displayed incorrectly. Converting fonts to outlines turns the characters into vector shapes and preserves the intended appearance.
- Keep an editable master file with live text for future revisions.
- Create a production copy with all fonts converted to outlines.
- Check spelling, spacing, numbers, legal text, and contact details before outlining.
Print Areas, Safe Areas, Cut Lines, and Fold Lines
A production template is more than a shape reference. Its line system shows where artwork can extend and where important content should be protected from normal manufacturing tolerances.
Paddle artwork templates
On WERiDON paddle templates, the blue zone represents the full printable area. If your design uses a full background, extend it to completely cover the blue zone.
The red inner line is the recommended safe margin near the edge guard. Keep logos, text, and other key elements at least 2–3 mm inside this line.
Packaging dielines
On current WERiDON mailer box templates, the black line is the final cut line and the red line is the fold or crease position. Do not modify these structural lines.
Keep important logos, text, barcodes, QR codes, and other key elements at least 3–5 mm inside the cut and fold lines, and avoid placing important information directly on a fold.
Follow the instructions shown on the production template for the specific item rather than applying generic bleed rules from another print workflow.
Front, Back, and Panel Orientation
- If the two sides of a paddle use different artwork, clearly label FRONT and BACK.
- If the front and back of a paddle cover differ, identify each side clearly.
- For packaging, check every panel after mentally folding the dieline into the finished box so text is not inverted.
- If the inside of a box will be printed, provide and label the interior artwork separately.
Designing for Fiber-Reinforced Composite Paddle Faces
Pickleball paddle faces can use carbon fiber, fiberglass, aramid fiber, and hybrid composite constructions. The visible base material is part of the finished appearance, so artwork should be considered together with the selected face material and Surface Finish.
- Base color and weave affect the visual result. Dark carbon fiber, light fiberglass, colored aramid fiber, and hybrid weaves do not provide the same background.
- Use adequate contrast. Essential logos, model names, and regulatory information should remain clearly readable on the actual material.
- Decide whether the material should remain visible. If the fiber weave is part of the product look, avoid covering the entire face with opaque artwork by default.
- Consider the Surface Finish. Peel Ply (Cloth-Texture) Matte Finish, Grit Coated, and Glossy surfaces can produce different visual results from the same digital mockup.
Full-Background / Full-Face Printing
For WERiDON paddle projects, full-background or full-face printed artwork is recommended only with a fiberglass face material combined with either a Grit Coated or Glossy Surface Finish.
Full-face printing may be technically possible on other fiber-reinforced materials or finishes, but WERiDON does not generally recommend it when a clean and consistent commercial appearance is required.
On carbon fiber, aramid fiber, hybrid fiber constructions, or strongly textured cloth-finish surfaces, large printed areas can reveal the underlying weave, base color, and physical texture. Across a full paddle face, this can create uneven coverage, inconsistent color density, small voids or pinholes, and other obvious surface imperfections.
For non-fiberglass fiber surfaces, WERiDON generally recommends logos, text, line graphics, transparent-background artwork, or partial graphics that intentionally leave part of the underlying material visible. For unfamiliar combinations, confirm the real appearance during the sample stage before mass production.
Natural Kraft vs Full-Color Packaging
WERiDON provides separate templates for a standard single-paddle natural kraft mailer box and a single-paddle full-color mailer box. The structures are similar, but the artwork strategy should be different.
| Item | Natural Kraft Mailer Box | Full-Color Mailer Box |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior | Natural brown kraft paper remains part of the visual design. | Exterior is intended for full-color printing. |
| Color behavior | No white ink underbase; printed colors are influenced by the brown paper. | Better suited to broader color use and more complex branded graphics. |
| Recommended artwork | Simple logos, text, and solid high-contrast graphics. Black is the clearest and most consistent option. | Suitable for richer colors, graphics, and branded packaging layouts. |
| Interior | Standard natural kraft construction. | Natural brown kraft is standard; white kraft should be requested separately. |
| Interior printing | Confirm separately if required. | Unprinted by default. Interior printing requires separate artwork and increases printing cost. |
For natural kraft, avoid relying on very light colors, low-contrast graphics, fine details, or subtle gradients for critical brand elements. For full-color packaging, check every panel orientation before submission and provide separate interior artwork if inside printing is required.
Before Production: Artwork Verification
Before sampling or production, submitted artwork is checked against the actual paddle, accessory, or packaging specification. This includes template compatibility, dimensions, file preparation, safe areas, orientation, and compatibility with the selected material and Surface Finish.
Final appearance should still be evaluated during the sample stage, especially when color, substrate, fiber visibility, texture, or a new artwork-and-finish combination is involved. If you are still deciding the paddle configuration, review the WERiDON Custom Pickleball Paddles page before preparing final graphics.
Buyer Artwork Checklist
- Use the latest WERiDON template for the exact item.
- Keep the original template dimensions unchanged.
- Prepare final print artwork in CMYK.
- Use vector artwork where possible and convert all fonts to outlines.
- Keep important elements inside the recommended safe area.
- Clearly label FRONT/BACK designs and packaging panel orientation.
- Match the artwork strategy to the actual paddle face material and Surface Finish.
- Provide separate interior packaging artwork when inside printing is required.
Artwork Preparation FAQ
Can I submit paddle artwork in RGB?
Use CMYK for the final production artwork. RGB is useful for screen display, but bright RGB colors can shift when converted to CMYK, so review the CMYK version before final approval.
Does every logo need to be a vector file?
Vector artwork is strongly recommended for logos, text, icons, and line graphics. High-resolution raster artwork can still be used for photographic or texture-based elements when appropriate.
Can I use a full-background design on carbon fiber, aramid fiber, or another non-fiberglass face?
WERiDON generally recommends full-background/full-face printing only on fiberglass faces with Grit Coated or Glossy Surface Finish. Other fiber surfaces may be technically printable, but visible weave, base color, and surface texture can create obvious defects across large printed areas. Partial or transparent-background artwork is usually the better option.
Can I reuse the same artwork file for different paddle shapes?
No. Paddle outlines, edge positions, and safe areas differ, so prepare the design on the template for the selected shape.
Why do colors look different on natural kraft paper?
This WERiDON natural kraft packaging option does not use a white ink underbase. The brown paper remains underneath the ink and influences the visible color, so black and other high-contrast artwork generally provide the clearest result.
Where can I download the current WERiDON templates?
Visit the WERiDON Downloads page. Sign in or create a free account to access the current paddle, accessory, and packaging templates.
If your project uses a custom mold, size, packaging structure, or production template not covered by the standard resources, confirm the correct template before preparing the final production file.
