The Ultimate Guide To T-Shirt Logo Placement

The placement of a logo on a T-shirt is crucial to achieving maximum impact. The most common position for a logo is on the left chest, around 3 to 4 inches from the left shoulder seam. This classic placement is ideal for corporate logos or small, detailed designs. It is a versatile option that gives customers freedom when layering their outfits.

Another popular choice is the centre chest, which is typically where a centred logo should be placed. Designs here are immediately visible, and for an adult shirt, the logo should be placed about 2.5 inches down from the collar.

Other options for logo placement include the full front, full back, upper back, yoke, and sleeves.

Center chest placement

For smaller sizes, the centre chest placement is often a better fit as the print area aligns better with the digital design. For larger adult sizes, a full-front design with intricate details may be preferable. It is important to note that the placement should be adjusted for each size and cut of the shirt to ensure it does not end up too low on the wearer's body.

The centre chest placement is versatile and can accommodate both logos and artistic pieces. It is a good option for designs that are half-height and works well with various print sizes, including screen printing, direct-to-garment printing, and the sublimation method.

Left chest placement

Left chest logo placement is a classic choice for T-shirts, and is commonly used for corporate logos, small, detailed designs, or volunteer/event shirts. The logo is placed off to the left side of the chest, typically about 3 to 4 inches wide, and sits about 3 to 4 inches below the collar.

This print location works best for simple logos without a lot of detail. If you have a high-contrast logo, placing it on the left chest of your T-shirt can work beautifully. If your T-shirt has a pocket on the front, you can place the logo above the pocket for a playful take on the left chest option. Just make sure the logo sits above the pocket to avoid creases in the design from the pocket.

When printing a left chest logo, it's important to avoid placing the print too close to the edge of the shirt, as it may end up under the wearer's arm. A simple trick to avoid mess-ups is to draw an imaginary vertical and horizontal centre line on the shirt. The vertical line will be just off the side of the collar, while the horizontal line will start at the armpit seam. You can then adjust the design based on its orientation, moving it slightly above the armpit seam if needed.

For regular-size designs, centre the transfer on the intersecting lines of the right side of the collar and the bottom of the armpit. For smaller logos, such as those commonly used on polo shirts, move the logo to the upper portion of the intersecting lines while continuing to use the right neckline as the centring point. For horizontal designs, centre the design on the right neckline but move it above the armpit line. Vertical designs can fill the entire right side of the shirt; use the right neckline to centre the transfer from right to left and experiment with different starting heights.

Full front placement

Full front logo placement is a bold statement and is one of the most common T-shirt design locations. It works well with large graphics or text and suits most T-shirt sizes. The standard size for a full front design is 12" wide by 14" high, placed around 3" down from the collar.

When determining the print area, consider playing with negative space and leaving parts of the design ink-free. This placement may create a T-shirt print that is not fabric-breathable, especially with screen printing, so it's important to consider the type of printing you will be using. If you want to avoid an uncomfortable "sweat patch", reduce the overall print area by leaving parts of the design ink-free.

For promotional T-shirts, it's best to keep your branding modest or subtle to encourage wear. If you want to go for an oversized print, you can extend the design to the bottom hem of the T-shirt. However, this size is restricted to larger adult T-shirts, as youth sizes and smaller sizes cannot hold a large design.

The full front placement is best for super complex or bold designs. These designs can be more detailed as there is more room for them and they will be easier to see. Be sure that the file you upload is of high quality to avoid blurriness in the final print.

Upper back placement

If you are placing your design on the upper back of a t-shirt, use wide and short designs to maximise the space. If your design is at the maximum width and still looks too small, try using a taller font instead of stretching the font, which will distort it and make it harder to read.

You may also see more typographic design elements in this location. It is commonly used to promote events, businesses, or a specific cause. A non-standard equivalent is the lower back area when the design is printed slightly lower than usual. While it might draw a curious eye, it can't help but be prone to creases and folds.

Full back placement

The full back placement is a great way to showcase your logo or design and make a bold statement. This placement is ideal for designs that require a lot of space, such as detailed graphics, enlarged logos, or promotional and event t-shirts. It is also a good option for team and sports apparel, band merchandise, and educational shirts.

The standard print size for a full back placement is 12" wide by 14" high, but it can go up to 14.5" wide by 16.5" high, depending on the garment size. This placement is usually complemented by a simpler logo placement on the front of the shirt, such as on the left chest or sleeve.

When placing a full back design, it is important to ensure that the design is centred and positioned based on the collar and shoulders of the shirt. The design should be placed about 2.5"–4" from the neckline and should continue down the back of the shirt. It is recommended to leave some margin space around the edges to avoid having parts of the design cut off during printing.

Frequently asked questions