Tank Top Text Width: Optimal Design Guide

There are a few things to consider when deciding how wide the text on a tank top shirt should be. Firstly, the size of the shirt matters. A women's tank top, for example, cannot hold as much text as an XL tee. The number of lines of text is also important; a two-line phrase might require a width of 10 x 2, whereas a single line of text could be wider. Generally, a width of 10 inches is considered a good size for text on a t-shirt, but it's also important to consider the font size and type, as well as the overall design and how it will look on the shirt.

Text width depends on shirt size

When deciding how wide text should be on a tank top, it's important to consider the size of the shirt. A larger shirt will have more space to print on than a smaller one. For example, there is a 10-inch difference in width between an adult small and a 3XL shirt. A design that fills the front of a small shirt will look disproportionately small on a 3XL.

When printing text on a tank top, it's generally recommended to aim for a width of around 10 inches. However, this may vary depending on the length of the text and the number of lines. For instance, a two-line phrase might require a width of 8 to 10 inches, while shorter text can be printed at a smaller width.

It's also worth noting that the placement of the text on the shirt can affect the width. For example, text printed across the chest or pocket of a shirt will be much narrower than text printed across the back.

To ensure the text is legible and aesthetically pleasing, it's important to consider the size and placement of the text in relation to the size of the shirt. If you're printing a range of shirt sizes, you may need to adjust the text width accordingly.

• Full Front or Full Back: 11" to 12.5" for men's shirts, 9" to 11" for women's shirts
• Across the Chest or Top Back: 4" x 3"
• On the Pocket: 3" x 2" for adult shirts, with smaller dimensions for youth shirts

10-inch width for text is a good rule of thumb

When it comes to designing text for tank tops, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the width of the text will depend on various factors, including the size and style of the tank top, as well as the length of the text itself. However, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a text width of around 10 inches. This provides a good balance between impact and readability, ensuring that your message stands out while remaining clear and legible.

While 10 inches is a recommended width for text on tank tops, it's important to remember that this is not a hard-and-fast rule and that flexibility is essential. Depending on the specific design and requirements, text widths can vary from 8 to 14 inches or more. For instance, a two-line phrase might work better with a width of 10 x 2 inches, while shorter designs may call for a smaller width. It's also worth noting that the size of the tank top itself will impact the text width; a women's tank top, for instance, will typically have a smaller printable area than an XL or 3XL shirt.

To ensure your text looks good on a tank top, it's essential to consider the overall layout and balance. Aim for a volume of text that looks appealing and is easy to read. You can create a simple template or use a light-coloured rectangle to help guide your design process and ensure your text stays within the desired range. Additionally, printing out the design at actual size and placing it on the tank top can help you visualise how it will look.

When creating text for tank tops, it's crucial to involve the customer in the design process. Show them the final design or have them check it before printing. This ensures that they are happy with the size and placement of the text, especially if they intend to wear the tank top themselves. By following these guidelines and keeping the customer involved, you can create text designs that are not only visually appealing but also meet the specific needs and preferences of your clients.

Aim for a design that looks appealing and readable

When designing text for a tank top, it's important to aim for a design that looks appealing and readable. This means considering the size of the text, the width of the shirt, and the placement of the design.

For text-only designs, a width of 8 to 10 inches is generally recommended for a standard t-shirt. However, this may vary depending on the size and style of the tank top. A women's tank top, for example, will have a smaller width than an XL tee. It's important to consider the amount of real estate available on the shirt when determining the size of the text.

To ensure that your design is appealing and readable, consider the following tips:

• Use a template: Create a template with a light-coloured rectangle to ensure your design stays within a certain range. This will help you visualise how the text will look on the shirt.
• Print and cut out your design: Print out your design at actual size and cut it out. Place it on the shirt to see how it looks and adjust as needed.
• Consider the number of lines: If you have a longer phrase with multiple lines, you may need to adjust the width of the text to ensure it doesn't look too cramped.
• Use a sense of proportion: The size of the design or width of the text should be proportional to the size of the shirt. A smaller shirt will require a smaller design, while a larger shirt can accommodate a bigger design.
• Get customer input: If you are designing shirts for a client, be sure to get their input on the design size. Provide them with a final design preview and ask for their approval before printing.
• Keep it simple: Sometimes, less is more. A simple design that is easy to read and doesn't overwhelm the shirt can be more appealing than a large, busy design.

By following these tips and considering the size and style of the tank top, you can create a text design that is both appealing and readable. Remember to always consider the overall aesthetic and ensure your design enhances the look of the shirt.

For embroidery, use the largest design field

When embroidering text on a tank top, it is important to consider the size of the design. The standard size for a left chest design is 2.5"–4" wide by 1"–2" tall. For larger logos, consider placing the embroidery on the sleeve or back yoke. On a larger garment, the maximum width for sleeve embroidery is 5", but ideally, it should not exceed 3.5".

For text embroidery, the minimum height is 1/4", with a stitch width of at least 1/16". Outlined text should be a minimum of 1/2" tall. Letters cannot be embroidered smaller than 0.22" in height; otherwise, they will not be clearly visible unless there is a stable fill background behind the text.

To ensure the design is not too large, it is advisable to print out the artwork and place it on the garment. This will help visualise the embroidery pattern and make any necessary adjustments.

Design to fit the smallest size garment

When designing text for a range of shirt sizes, it's important to consider the varying dimensions of the garments. A design that "fills" a small shirt will look disproportionately small on a larger shirt, as there is more space to cover.

A good rule of thumb is to design to fit the smallest size garment. This ensures the text will look good on all sizes, and avoids the added expense of creating multiple design sizes. When creating text for a tank top, it's also worth noting that a women's tank won't hold the same image as an XL tee.

When screen printing, the rule is to use the smallest shirt size as the imprint for the entire order. For example, if printing text across the chest, the process begins by marking the area with one finger from the bottom of the collar to the chest. The same process is then repeated from the middle of each sleeve to the chest. The design is then printed between these three marked areas.

For text printed across the chest of an adult shirt, the image size should be around 4" x 3". For youth sizes, this should be 3" x 2".

When printing text on the back of a shirt, the standard width is around 8" to 12" for a two-line phrase. However, this can vary depending on the number of lines and the overall design. It's important to consider the volume of text and how it will look on the shirt.

To summarise, when designing text for a range of shirt sizes, it's best to create a design that fits the smallest garment and will look appealing and readable on larger sizes.

Frequently asked questions