The Best Placement For Company Logos On T-Shirts

The placement of a logo on a company T-shirt is crucial for brand recognition and marketing. The logo should be visible, easy to recognise, and aesthetically pleasing. The most common placement for a logo on a T-shirt is on the left chest area, as this is where the eye naturally falls when looking at someone's shirt. This location is perfect for embroidery or screen printing. Other popular placements include the centre chest, full front, and sleeve. The size of the logo should be considered, as a larger logo may be more visible but could also be more intrusive, while a smaller logo may be more subtle but less noticeable. It is important to experiment with different logo sizes and placements to find the best fit.

Left chest placement

The left chest is the go-to placement for company logos, small artworks, or short texts. This location is perfect for neat and clear designs, without too much detail. The ideal size for a left chest logo is around 2.5"-5" wide and high, and it should be placed approximately 3" down from the collar. However, you can always adjust the placement to harmonise with the overall design of the shirt.

When printing a logo on the left chest, it's important to avoid placing it too close to the edge of the shirt, as it may end up under the wearer's arm. A simple trick to avoid this mistake is to imagine vertical and horizontal centre lines 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. Most of the time, you will want to move your design slightly above the armpit seam.

For regular-sized designs, centre the transfer on the intersection of these lines. For smaller logos, such as those commonly used on polo shirts, move the design to the upper portion of the intersection while still using the right neck line as your centring point. It's important to note that the print area for the left chest location is smaller, so designs with minimal detail tend to work best.

The left chest location is a classic choice for company logos and is commonly used for volunteer or event shirts. It is also a profitable choice, as you can create a gang sheet and get more out of a transfer sheet. By following these guidelines, you can confidently place your company logo on the left chest of a t-shirt, ensuring a professional and well-balanced appearance.

Full front placement

A full front design placement is one of the most common t-shirt design locations. It is versatile and can accommodate a wide variety of print sizes. This is a good option for landscape, portrait, and detailed artwork designs placed about three to four inches below the collar.

The full front shirt design size can extend from the chest down to the length of the shirt, varying heavily in height and width. The average size range is 10”-12” wide and 10”-14” tall, making it the largest standard-size front-print option. However, it is important to note that this placement may create a t-shirt print that is not fabric-breathable, especially with screen printing. It can result in an uncomfortable sheen and sweat spots. To avoid this, consider playing with negative space and leaving parts of the design ink-free.

The full front placement is best for very complex or bold designs. There is more room for detail, and the design will be easier to see. To ensure the design is visible from all angles, the recommended print size is 10-12 inches wide and 10-14 inches tall. However, it is important not to make the design too large, as it could be broken up by the seams of the shirt.

When using the full front placement, it is important to be careful to centre the design on the shirt. It should not be placed too close to the collar or the bottom of the shirt.

Sleeve placement

• Size and Simplicity: The sleeve area is smaller than the front or back of the shirt, so it is important to use small prints for this area. Keep your design simple and easy to read, even at a smaller size. Avoid using too much text in your logo.
• Colour Contrast: Use high-contrast colours to make your logo stand out on the sleeve.
• Left or Right Sleeve: Consider placing your logo on either the left or right sleeve, depending on where you want the focus of your design to be. The wearer's left sleeve (the audience's right) is the most common placement and is a good option for business sponsors.
• Experiment with Placement: Experiment with different sleeve placements to find the one that looks best with your design. You can place the design towards the top or middle of the sleeve for maximum visibility. Avoid placing the design too close to the armpit or seams.
• Additional Design Elements: If you want to add more design elements to the sleeve, consider vertical or horizontal text, or small designs or text near the top of the wrist.
• Avoid Overdoing It: Keep it simple and avoid overdoing the design. Choose no more than three designs per sleeve to maintain a clean look.
• Consider Hoodies and Jackets: If you're printing designs on hoodies or jackets, you have additional options for sleeve placement. You can place designs on the outer portion of the sleeve, or on the sides of the hood.
• Measurements: The standard size for sleeve logo placement is around 3'' wide x 1.5'' height. However, you can go up to 4.5'' wide or as small as 1'' wide, depending on your logo design and the sleeve space available.

Back placement

The standard print size for back placement is 12” wide by 14” high, but this can be increased to 14.5” wide by 16.5” high if required. It's worth noting that this print location rarely exists on its own and is usually complemented by a print on the front, sleeves, or both.

If you want to place a logo on the upper back of a t-shirt, the standard size is 10”-14” wide and 1”-6” tall. This is a popular choice for uniforms and usually calls for medium-sized designs. 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.

For a collar or small upper back placement, the average size is smaller than a left chest placement, typically 2” to 3” wide, so keep the design simple. This is a great place to put a logo and that's usually what gets printed here. This location is right at eye level, so it doesn't need to be large.

When placing a design on the back of a shirt, it should be approximately 5” from the collar and centred between the left and right seams. This option is best for maximum exposure as it has the largest space for your brand's design. Screen printers tend to favour this position because it gives them more space to work with.

Printing methods

There are several printing methods to choose from when it comes to adding a company logo to a T-shirt. Here are some of the most common and popular techniques:

• Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing: This method uses an inkjet printer to apply the logo directly onto the T-shirt, much like printing on paper. It is perfect for complex designs with multiple colours and is ideal for small businesses that want custom T-shirts but don't have high order volumes. DTG is best suited for 100% cotton T-shirts or cotton blends, but it is not recommended for synthetic fabrics.
• Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing: DTF is a versatile technique that uses a film to transfer the design onto the T-shirt. It can be used on various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and nylon, offering vibrant results. However, it leaves a plastic-like finish and is more complex than some other methods.
• Screen Printing: Screen printing, or silkscreen printing, is one of the oldest and most efficient methods. It uses a stencil, a mesh screen, and a squeegee to transfer the design. This technique is effective for producing vibrant and durable designs on various fabrics. It is ideal for larger quantities (up to 500 T-shirts) and designs with fewer colours.
• Dye Sublimation Printing: This method uses a heat transfer printing machine to print the design onto special heat transfer paper, which is then pressed onto the T-shirt. Dye sublimation is perfect for synthetic fabrics like polyester and can be used for all-over print designs. However, it is not suitable for cotton T-shirts as the ink will not bond properly.
• Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) Printing: HTV printing involves cutting designs from vinyl sheets and then heat-pressing them onto the T-shirt. This method is well-suited for simple, bold designs and is commonly used for sports jerseys and promotional items.
• Plastisol Transfer Printing: This is an indirect screen printing technique that uses a plastic-based transfer sheet. It is similar to screen printing but applies the ink to heat transfer paper instead of directly onto the T-shirt. Plastisol transfers offer special effects like glossy or textured finishes and are durable, resisting fading and cracking.
• Embroidery: Embroidery is a sophisticated and incredibly durable method for adding a logo to a T-shirt. It has strict design requirements and limited colour variations, but it will last longer than most other printing methods.

When choosing a printing method, consider factors such as fabric type, order volume, design complexity, and budget. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, so select the one that best suits your specific needs and goals.

Frequently asked questions