The Complete T-Shirt Design and Logo Placement Guide

By ShirtSpace | Jan 31, 2025 |  Updated Jan 31, 2025

Learn why logo placement on a shirt is essential for pro-looking prints. Reference our design size suggestions and learn nifty placement tips to take your t-shirt designs to the next level today!

Hero image credit: Valeriia Miller from corelens
 

T-Shirt Design and Logo Placement: Everything You Need to Know

Creating the perfect t-shirt design involves more than just picking colors and fonts. One of the most critical aspects of crafting a professional and appealing shirt is determining the ideal logo placement and size. This comprehensive t-shirt design placement guide will help you navigate the nuances of positioning, dimensions, and design strategies for a flawless finish.
 

The Importance of Logo Placement on Shirts

Image credit: vladislav
 

Your logo placement on a shirt can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your design. Strategic placement ensures the logo is noticeable, visually appealing, and aligned with your brand’s message.

For instance, a well-placed logo on a polo shirt exudes professionalism, while a chest pocket design creates a more casual and approachable vibe. When deciding where to place a logo on a shirt, consider your audience and the shirt’s purpose to maximize its effectiveness.

Key Considerations for Logo Placement on Shirts

When deciding where a logo should go on a shirt, keep these factors in mind:

1. Logo Size on Shirt: A logo that’s too large may overwhelm the shirt, while one that’s too small might go unnoticed or become illegible. For adult t-shirts, a chest logo typically measures between 3” to 4” wide for s. Wondering what size logo should be on kids' shirts? Aim for 2” to 3” wide for optimal proportions, but adjust accordingly for older children, as well as infants and toddlers.
    
2. Placement Type: Popular locations include the left chest, center chest, back, and sleeves. The t-shirt logo placement guide from STAHLS’ often recommends the left chest for a polished, professional appearance.
    
3. Design Balance: Ensure your logo complements the t-shirt design and doesn’t feel disconnected from other elements.

Dimensions for T-Shirt Design and Logo Placement

Getting the dimensions right is essential for professional-looking t-shirts. Use this reference to guide your placements:

• LEFT CHEST/POCKET LOGO: Place it approximately 7” to 9” from the shoulder seam and 4” to 6” from the center.
  • Length x Width of Design: 3.5” x 3.5”
     
• CENTERED CHEST LOGO: Where should a centered logo go on a shirt? Position it 3” to 4” (3 fingers is a good rule of thumb) below the neckline for adult sizes.
  • Length x Width of Design: 6”–8” x 6”–10”
  • Oversized Length x Width of Design: 14”–16” x 12”–15”
     
• BACK DESIGN: For a large back logo, position it around 4” to 6” below the neckline and ensure it’s horizontally centered. Placement is especially important if there is a hood attached, since you don’t want the hood to completely cover the logo.
  • Upper Back Length x Width of Design: 1”—6” x 10”—14”
  • Full Back Length x Width of Design: 6”–15” x 10”–14”
     
• SLEEVES: Sleeve logos are usually 1” to 4” wide and positioned midway on the sleeve.
   
• BACK COLLAR: You can place the design right below the seam line.
  • Length x Width of Design: 1”–3” x 1”–3”

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Place a Design or Logo on a Shirt

Demonstration by Mario of Yacolt Print Co.

Follow these simple steps to perfectly place a logo or design on a t-shirt:

1. Choose Your Printing Technique: Select the appropriate printing or embroidery method based on your logo design and budget. Each technique has advantages and considerations, so research and consult with professionals to determine the best fit. Options include:
   • Screen printing for a long-lasting and detailed design.
     • Supplies and tools needed to screen print: mesh screen, emulsion, a squeegee, ink, and a printing press to transfer designs onto fabric or other surfaces.
   • Discharge screen printing for soft, vintage finishes.
     • Supplies and tools needed to discharge screen print: mesh screen, discharge ink, activator, a squeegee, a printing press, and a heat source to remove dye from fabric and replace it with a new color.
   • Heat transfers like HTV, DTF or screen print transfers for DIY projects – still resulting in professional-looking results. 
     • Supplies and tools needed for HTV: a vinyl cutter and HTV materia (or a pre-cut HTV design)l, a weeding tool, a heat press or iron, and a garment or substrate to transfer the design onto.
     • Supplies and tools needed for DTF: a DTF printer and special DTF ink (or a DTF from a supplier), PET transfer film, adhesive powder,  a heat press to transfer the design onto fabric and a curing oven or heat press for drying.
   • Sublimation for allover prints.
     • Supplies and tools needed to sublimation print: special sublimation inks, a sublimation printer, transfer paper or skip these and order transfers from a vendor. Either route, you will need a heat press and blank apparel with a polyester count ranging from 60-100%.
   • Embroidery for an elevated look.
     • Supplies and tools needed to embroider: embroidery thread, stabilizer, needles, and a hoop to stitch designs onto fabric with precision. If you aren’t hand embroidering, you will need an embroidery machine and digitized design software.
   • Direct-to-garment printing for vibrant, intricate designs.
     • Supplies and tools needed to DTG print: a DTG printer, pre-treatment solution, a heat press or conveyor dryer, water-based ink, and a computer with RIP (Raster Image Processor) software to produce high-quality, full-color prints directly on fabric.
        
2. Choose the Right Shirt: Select a shirt that best suits your needs in terms of fabric, color, and style. Consider the type of embroidery or printing technique you'll be using to ensure compatibility.
    
3. Determine Logo Size: The size of your logo on a shirt depends on various factors, including the shirt's dimensions, design elements, and intended visibility. As a general guideline, a logo size between 10 and 11 inches wide is often suitable for the front or back of a shirt, but you can go also go smaller. Plus sizes might need to go a bit bigger than 11”, but be careful to not go too large, since the design could start to creep into the armpits.
    
4. Positioning: Decide where you want to place the logo on the shirt. Common locations include the left chest, center chest, upper back, or sleeves. The choice depends on your preferences, the nature of your logo, and the shirt's overall design.
    
5. Measure and Mark: Use a ruler or t-shirt alignment tool to ensure accurate positioning. Mark the desired location lightly with a washable pen or tailor's chalk for reference.
    
6. Double-Check Alignment: Ensure the logo is horizontally and vertically aligned for a balanced appearance.
    
7. Secure the Design: For screen printing or heat transfer, use heat-resistant tape to hold the design in place before applying. Embroidery projects can benefit from using a stabilizer.
    
8. Print the Logo: Follow the instructions provided by your chosen decorating technique to transfer the logo onto the shirt accurately. Always align the logo with the marked position to maintain consistency and professionalism.
    
9. Quality Check: Once the logo is printed or embroidered design, inspect the placement, color accuracy, and overall appearance. Make any necessary adjustments or corrections before proceeding.

Tip: Refer to tools like ShirtSpace’s best fonts for t-shirt designs to ensure your text and logo pair beautifully.
 

Best Practices for Logo Positioning on Shirts

Shirt pictured: Gildan G500 in the color “mint green”.

• Consider Shirt Type: Different shirt styles and materials can affect a logo's appearance. Ensure the logo size and placement suit the specific shirt type to maintain visual balance and clarity.
• Test Placement: Before printing or embroidering a large batch, create a sample shirt and assess how the logo placement looks when worn. Make adjustments if needed to achieve the desired visual impact.
• Balance and Proportion: Ensure the logo is sized in relation to the shirt's dimensions. Avoid placing a logo that overwhelms or gets lost on the shirt.
• Symmetry and Alignment: Maintain symmetry and alignment when positioning logos on shirts. Avoid logo placement on a shirt that looks off-center or unbalanced. If you do decide to break the norms and use an asymmetrical design – make sure it’s off-center enough that viewers recognize the intention and don’t interpret it as a mistake.
• Consider Neckline and Collar: Consider the neckline and collar style of the shirt when deciding on logo placement. Avoid overlapping or interfering with these areas to maintain a polished look.
• Do Not Overdo It: Stick to 2–3 elements on a shirt. Try to show each logo variation only once on the shirt. For example, if you have logos on the sleeves and back of the shirt, perhaps skip a large design on the chest.
• Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience and their preferences regarding logo placement. Consider the cultural, social, and industry-specific norms to ensure your logo resonates with the intended audience.
   

Enhancing Your T-Shirt Designs with Creative Placement

Image credit: Brooke of Sure Thing Design Co.
Sweatshirt pictured: Port & Company PC098 Beach Wash® Garment-Dyed Crewneck Sweatshirt in the color “white”.  

Placement plays a pivotal role in enhancing your t-shirt designs. Experiment with unconventional areas to create unique and trendy looks. Here are some atypical logo placement ideas that might inspire you to print or stitch outside of the norm:

• Lower corner along the bottom hem (front or back)
• Hugging the collar
• Along the bottom hem of the sleeve
• Split across the side seam
• At the nape of the neck
• Diagonal across the chest
   

A Place to Discuss Size & Placement

Perfecting t-shirt design and logo placement is a blend of art and science. By following this guide, you’ll create visually appealing shirts that resonate with your audience. Explore high-quality t-shirts at ShirtSpace and start designing your next masterpiece! We want to know your favorite placement for logos and prints. Share your secrets in the comments below!

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• T-Shirt Screen Printing Instructions Infographic
• What is DTF Printing? Your New Favorite Way To Decorate T-Shirts!
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