Your logo looks great on screen. Then the shop asks, "How big, and where does it go?" Too big and the shirt feels like a billboard. Too small and nobody can read it. Here is the placement cheat sheet we use every day, so you can answer that question with confidence.
The standard print locations
| Location | Typical logo size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Left chest | 3-4 inches wide | Staff shirts, polos, quiet branding |
| Full front | 10-12 inches wide | Events, teams, statement designs |
| Full back | 12-14 inches wide | Crew names, team numbers, big art |
| Upper back (below collar) | 8-10 inches wide | Slogans, website, small back logo |
| Sleeve | 2-3 inches wide | Secondary logos, numbers, flags |
| Hat front | 2-2.5 inches tall | Embroidered caps and beanies |
These are starting points, not laws. A youth small and a 3XL should not get the same size print, and a good shop will scale the art to the garment.
Left chest: smaller than you think
Left chest logos sit about 7-9 inches down from the collar seam and centered over the wearer's heart side. Most people want it bigger than it needs to be. At 3-4 inches wide, a logo reads clearly at conversation distance and looks professional. Very fine text under about a quarter inch tall can fill in on screen prints and blur in embroidery, so simplify tiny taglines.
Full front: center it, then raise it
A full front print is usually centered about 3 inches below the collar. Placing it too low is the most common mistake; it ends up looking like it is sliding toward the belt. On hoodies, drop the logo a little lower to clear the seam and pocket area, or keep it to a smaller chest print.
Back and sleeve prints
A full back is the best place for names, numbers and big graphics. For a cleaner look, an upper back print just under the collar gives you a website or slogan without a giant design. Sleeve prints are great for a second logo or a number, and they pair well with a left chest hit. Keep them simple because the sleeve is a narrow, curved surface.
Hats are different
On a structured cap, the front logo is typically 2-2.5 inches tall, and wider designs need to be reshaped to fit the panel. Embroidery is the classic choice for hats, and fine details need to be thickened up so the stitches hold. Side and back hat embroidery can add a nice touch for teams and brands. See our custom embroidered hats for options.
Match the method to the size
- Big, bold, few colors: screen printing, the best value at 24 or more pieces.
- Full color or photo-style art: DTF or DTG, which also work for small orders.
- Small left chest logos on polos and caps: embroidery.
Learn more on our screen printing and embroidery pages.
Quick placement tips
- Measure the wearer, not the file. The same logo should scale across sizes.
- Use one primary location first. Add a back or sleeve print only if it adds value.
- Tell us how the shirt will be worn: tucked, layered under a jacket or worn with an apron.
- Always approve the mockup. Seeing size and position on the shirt beats guessing from a number.
We are a family shop in Garden Grove, CA, and we ship nationwide. You get a free digital mockup showing exact size and placement, and orders ship in 5-7 business days after mockup approval. For more answers, check our FAQs.
Want to see your logo on the shirt first?
Send us your artwork and we will mock up the size and placement for free.
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