Designing T-Shirts: Perfect Logo Size For Small Shirts

Whether you're creating a uniform for your sports team, promoting your brand, or showcasing your team spirit, printing a logo on a T-shirt is a great way to make a statement. But what size should the logo be, especially if the T-shirt is small?

The size of your logo depends on various factors, such as the shirt's dimensions, design elements, and intended visibility. A good rule of thumb is to leave 5-8 inches of blank space on either side of the logo. For a small T-shirt, the logo width should ideally be no bigger than 9.5–11 inches. If you're placing the logo on the left or right chest area, a common choice for corporate or team uniforms, the size should be around 2.5-5 wide and 2.5-5 high, placed about 2.5-3 down from the collar.

It's also important to consider the complexity and colours of your logo. A logo with intricate details or multiple colours may look better in a larger size, as it can be hard to distinguish small elements or colours when the logo is too small.

Left chest logo placement

The size for a left chest logo is typically around 2.5"-5" wide and 2.5"-5" high, and it should be placed approximately 3" down from the collar. However, it's important to note that the placement can be adjusted to harmonise with the overall design of the shirt. For example, for polo shirts, the bottom of the logo is typically no lower than the bottom of the placket.

To ensure proper placement, a simple trick 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. This may need to be adjusted based on the orientation of the design, with portrait designs requiring more space above the armpit seam.

It's worth noting that the placement may appear off when the shirt is lying flat, but it will look correct once worn by a person. This is because the shirt will wrap around the wearer's body, and the print area will no longer appear flat.

Center chest placement

The standard size for a center chest logo is generally around 6''–10'' wide and 6''–8'' tall. It should be placed approximately 2.5''–3'' below the collar, sitting between the left and right seams of the shirt. It is important to ensure that the logo is not too high, low, or uncentered on the shirt.

When designing a center chest logo, it is advisable to use medium-sized designs, such as logos, words, or simple artwork. This location is ideal for logos with moderate detail, as they will be easily visible and not too overwhelming.

If you are creating T-shirts for a range of sizes, from smaller youth sizes to adult sizes, you may need to consider ordering two separate print sizes to ensure that the logo looks proportional across all sizes.

Additionally, when printing on smaller shirts, such as youth or ladies' sizes, it is crucial to pay attention to the placement of the logo to avoid it being too low and covering the breast or stomach area.

Overall, center chest placement is a versatile and effective option for logo placement on T-shirts, providing good visibility and a classic look.

Full front placement

When it comes to full front placement of a logo on a t-shirt, there are several important factors to consider to ensure the design is visually appealing, well-proportioned, and comfortable for the wearer. Here are some detailed guidelines and tips for achieving a successful full front logo placement:

Size and Dimensions:

The recommended size for a full front logo on a small t-shirt is approximately 10 to 12 inches in width and 10 to 14 inches in height. This size allows the logo to stand out and be easily noticed while maintaining a balanced appearance on the shirt. It's important to ensure that the logo doesn't overwhelm the shirt or appear too small, so adjusting the dimensions within this range may be necessary depending on the specific shirt size.

Placement and Spacing:

To achieve a visually pleasing and well-proportioned design, it is suggested that the full front logo should be placed around 3 to 4 inches down from the neckline. This placement ensures that the logo is visible and creates a sense of balance with the rest of the shirt. Additionally, it's important to leave sufficient space around the logo, with optimal blank space of 5 to 8 inches on either side of the design. This spacing ensures that the logo doesn't appear crowded and enhances its overall impact.

Design Complexity:

Printing Technique:

The chosen printing technique will impact the overall appearance and quality of the full front logo. Screen printing, heat transfers (HTV or DTF), sublimation, embroidery, or direct-to-garment printing are common methods to consider. Each technique has its advantages and limitations, so it's important to research and consult professionals to determine the best option for your specific design and fabric type.

Comfort and Breathability:

When opting for a full front logo placement, it's crucial to consider the comfort of the wearer. A large print on the front of the shirt can result in a "sweat patch" that is uncomfortable and non-breathable, especially if the ink coverage is excessive. To enhance wearer comfort, reduce the ink coverage as much as possible, or consider using printing techniques like sublimation, which keeps the fabric soft and breathable.

Test and Adjust:

Before printing a large batch of shirts, it's advisable to create a sample shirt to assess the logo placement, size, and overall design. This allows for any necessary adjustments to be made, ensuring the desired visual impact is achieved. It's also important to measure and mark the desired logo placement on each shirt to maintain consistency across the batch.

Sleeve logo placement

When placing a logo on a sleeve, it is important to consider the size, readability, and proportionality of your design. The sleeve area is smaller than the front or back of the shirt, so you should keep your design simple and clean. Small logos or tiny branding assets are perfect for this area. Choose a simple logo design that will be easy to read and understand, even at a smaller size. It is also important to avoid using too much text in your logo.

The standard size for a sleeve logo is around 3 inches wide by 1.5 inches tall. However, you can go up to 4.5 inches wide or as small as 1 inch wide, depending on your logo's width. The print size should be proportional to the size of the shirt and other design elements. An ideal size for a sleeve logo is around 4 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.

In terms of placement, you should typically print towards the top or middle area of the sleeve for maximum visibility. Avoid placing your design too close to the armpit or any seams. If you are also printing a logo on the left chest of the shirt, choose a right sleeve print to balance it out. Alternatively, if you are printing a full front or center chest design, either sleeve will work.

When it comes to colour, it is best to use high-contrast colours to make your logo stand out. Embroidery is also a great option for sleeve logo placement, as it can add texture and interest to your design.

Finally, consider placing your logo on either the left or right sleeve, depending on where you want the focus of your design to be. Experiment with different sleeve placements to find the one that looks best with your overall design.

Upper back placement

The upper back is a versatile location, similar to the front chest region. It is a medium-sized placement spot, less than 4 inches below the collar, prioritising the width of the back for complete visibility. This location covers the area around the shoulder blades.

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.

The upper back is a great choice for a simple logo design. It is a good idea to keep the design straightforward as the typical size is smaller than a left chest placement, usually 2–3 inches wide.

You can also pair upper back placement with a full back design. Set up the artwork so there is a space of around 2 or 3 inches between the two designs, and the print team will make the upper back placement high, near the collar.

Frequently asked questions