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Setting Up and Updating Teamstore Design Boards, Symbols, & Branding

Effective as of July 20, 2026

Last Updated: July 20, 2026

Objective

This SOP explains the key steps for preparing a design board, organizing symbols and logos, and maintaining consistent branding, color usage, and placement across artboards. It is designed to teach team members how to work efficiently, follow design standards, and avoid common symbol and linking errors.

 

Artboard Setup TIP & TRICKs

OVERVIEW

This Loom serves as an instructional review of design and symbol setup for Arash’s DTF and branding files. It teaches how to evaluate master and template usage, maintain consistency across designs, and recognize when older masters, such as version 4.0, should be updated to newer versions like 7.0. The review also explains how to apply required assets correctly, including Columbia blue jagged templates, customized numbering, and signature branding. In addition, it highlights important design standards such as using consistent fonts, avoiding white-on-white signature tags, and placing logos side by side and centered when required. Team members will also learn how to manage symbols properly by replacing DTFs with matching DTFs, selecting the correct white stroke or transparency treatment for mascot and other logos, and updating colors and repeatable elements through linked symbols.

STEP-by-STep guide

1. Review the ticket and identify required assets and master version 0:21

  • Open the ticket and confirm the requested design requirements.
  • Identify which master version is being used and whether it is an older or newer master.
  • Verify required assets such as:
    • Columbia Blue
    • Jagged template
    • Customized numbers
    • Required logos and branding elements
  • Check the left sidebar for available symbols and note which assets are missing from the current master.

2. Confirm which symbols belong to older vs. newer masters 1:10

  • Determine whether each symbol is available in the current master or must be pulled from a newer/older master.
  • Use the correct master version for each asset:
    • Newer masters for updated symbols like 2001 and 4003.
    • Older masters for legacy symbols like 3007.
  • Do not assume all symbols are available in the same master file.

3. Evaluate the design for placement, font, and logo treatment 1:33

  • Review the overall design before making edits.
  • Check whether the logo should sit inside a color block or overlap a boundary.
  • Add a white stroke when needed to create a sticker-like effect.
  • Confirm font consistency across the design.
  • Verify whether the font matches the template rules and whether it is the best choice for the layout.

4. Correct branding color and contrast issues 3:00

  • Ensure signature branding is not white on white.
  • Use a contrasting block color for branding, such as Navy or another approved blue, with white text.
  • If branding is hidden or replaced in one area, confirm whether it must also be updated elsewhere.
  • Make sure branding remains visible and readable on the final artboard.

5. Verify logo count and placement rules 3:37

  • Count how many logos are required and call them out clearly in the layout.
  • Place two logos side by side when only two are needed.
  • Use the correct placement format instead of stacking logos vertically when the design calls for side-by-side placement.
  • Center the design elements properly so they are not sitting too high on the artboard.

6. Set up the board before editing symbols 6:27

  • Start every ticket by preparing the board for success.
  • Update the date fields on all relevant artboards.
  • Make sure each artboard reflects the correct production date before moving on.
  • Complete this step before editing logos or colors so the board stays organized.

7. Load teamstore logos into the document as symbols 7:38

  • Go to the symbol sidebar and locate the primary and secondary logos.
  • Copy all required logos at once.
  • Paste them into the document so they live inside the file as symbols.
  • Delete any temporary pasted items after the symbols are loaded.
  • Confirm the expected colors populate correctly, such as light blue and navy.

8. Add or confirm all required colors 9:02

  • Check which colors are already available in the document.
  • Add any additional colors needed for flags or special design elements.
  • If a flag is not included, do not add unnecessary flag colors.
  • Confirm the color set matches the design requirements before continuing.

9. Sort and locate the correct logo symbols 10:12

  • Sort symbols by name to quickly find the correct logo set.
  • Identify which logo is needed for each placement.
  • Confirm whether the design requires a mascot, Trojan, or alternate version.
  • Do not use a logo that is not provided or approved for the design.

10. Build mascot logos with proper transparency and stroke treatment 11:30

  • Do not edit the raw logo directly by removing parts from inside the symbol.
  • Create or update the mascot as a proper symbol.
  • Use the correct size and transparency settings so dark and light versions differ appropriately.
  • Add a white stroke behind the logo when a sticker effect is needed.
  • Ensure each colorway is visually distinct and not duplicated without purpose.

11. Replace logos using linked symbols instead of raw artwork 20:37

  • Use the correct two-up or multi-logo layout based on the number of logos required.
  • If only two logos are needed, use the two-up layout rather than a three-logo layout.
  • Resize and position the logos so they fit within the intended width.
  • Group the logos and set alignment values as needed to keep them centered and consistent.

12. Swap primary and secondary logos at the symbol level 22:24

  • Replace logos by editing the linked symbol, not by changing only the visible instance.
  • If a design uses a secondary logo, swap the primary symbol to the secondary symbol in the correct nested location.
  • Remember that changing a symbol at the wrong level may not update all linked instances.
  • Always replace DTF with DTF and keep symbol relationships intact.

13. Adjust logo size, stroke, and fill for the correct effect 24:28

  • If a logo includes a fill, confirm whether the fill should be visible or transparent.
  • Add a white fill or stroke only when it improves contrast and matches the intended sticker effect.
  • Avoid overbuilding the logo with too much stroke or too many layers.
  • Use the dark version when the light version creates an overly heavy effect.

14. Apply consistent color changes across all artboards 26:37

  • Update all matching design elements to the same approved color.
  • Change base color, side panels, cuffs, collar, and signature tag consistently.
  • If one artboard changes, verify the corresponding back side or alternate version also updates.
  • Keep the pattern consistent across the full uniform set.

15. Update signature branding and alternate placements 28:20

  • If the signature tag changes on one side, confirm it also changes on the back side.
  • Use the correct light or dark tag version depending on the background.
  • Update numbers and other variable text after the branding is corrected.
  • Make sure the final branding treatment matches the approved contrast rules.

16. Rename and manage colors using the dropdown and copy/paste method 29:04

  • Use the color dropdown to identify and rename colors when needed.
  • Double-click the color name to copy it quickly.
  • Paste the copied name into the correct field to keep naming consistent.
  • Use the same naming convention across all artboards and versions.

17. Place side panels and shoulder caps correctly 30:42

  • Locate the side panel assets in the designer quick zone or symbol library.
  • If shoulder caps are missing, confirm whether they need to be created or sourced from another master.
  • Position the side panels so they align with the garment shape.
  • Adjust the placement slightly left or right as needed to match the intended layout.

18. Preserve branding rules when replacing older symbols 33:18

  • Follow the approved branding options:
    • Default branding stays locked in.
    • Flag-only is used only when approved.
    • Branding plus flag is used when both are required.
  • Never remove branding unless the account manager or another approved stakeholder has authorized it.
  • Ensure branding uses a contrasting block color and readable white text.

19. Use the correct font consistently across all artboards 34:30

  • Choose one approved font, such as Blocktastic or Captain America, and use it consistently.
  • Do not mix fonts across artboards unless the design specifically requires it.
  • Apply the same font treatment to side panels, logos, and text-based elements.
  • Confirm the font matches the template or design standard being used.

20. Build logo effects by nesting symbols instead of using raw artwork 36:30

  • Create text or logo elements as outlines when needed.
  • Place the DTF inside the symbol rather than using the raw logo file.
  • Keep the symbol nested so future updates can be made efficiently.
  • Use the correct size and alignment so the symbol remains editable and linked.

21. Update old-school layouts by replacing nested symbols carefully 38:49

  • When converting an older layout, do not swap only the visible logo.
  • Enter the nested symbol and replace the correct internal DTF or logo element.
  • Adjust the size to match the old-school layout requirements.
  • Confirm the logo updates correctly on both front and back placements.

22. Rebuild alternate versions and verify transparency 39:35

  • Hide outdated or incorrect logo layers before inserting the new version.
  • Add the correct dark or light DTF version depending on the background.
  • Adjust the size until the logo fits the intended space.
  • Verify that transparency and stroke effects look correct after the update.

23. Copy colors and symbols from existing artboards when possible 40:49

  • If a matching color set already exists, copy it from another artboard instead of rebuilding it manually.
  • Use the existing grouped colors and symbols to save time.
  • Paste the copied items into the new board and adjust only what is necessary.
  • Reuse approved assets whenever possible to maintain consistency.

24. Finalize placement, alignment, and spacing 44:45

  • Use the side panel dark and light versions to complete the final layout.
  • Match the height and placement of the panels to the garment design.
  • Add guides if needed to confirm alignment.
  • Move the design slightly inward if the placement looks too far outside the intended area.
  • Check each version individually to ensure spacing looks even and intentional.

Cautionary Notes

  • Do not edit raw logos directly when the design depends on linked symbols.
  • Do not replace a DTF with a non-DTF asset; keep symbol types consistent.
  • Do not use white-on-white branding; always maintain contrast.
  • Do not remove branding unless the change is explicitly approved.
  • Do not assume the same logo, font, or color applies across all masters or artboards.
  • Verify that changes made in one symbol propagate to all linked instances.
  • Be careful when working with older masters, as they may not contain newer features or symbol structures.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Start by updating dates and loading all symbols before making design edits.
  • Use copy/paste from existing artboards to reuse approved colors and names.
  • Sort symbols by name to find assets faster.
  • Build light and dark versions early so you can swap them quickly later.
  • Group logos and set alignment values to reduce manual repositioning.
  • Reuse nested symbols instead of rebuilding artwork from scratch.
  • Check front and back artboards together to catch missed updates early.

DONE!