Logos are your brand’s representation. It’s the FACE of your business. It’s HOW customers remember your product.
Having the right t-shirt logo size ensures your t-shirt leaves the right impression. That said, I’ll introduce some of the best logo print locations for t-shirts. Including the acceptable logo sizes your t-shirt manufacturer can follow.
You won’t leave customers wondering where your logo is. CONFIDENTLY showcase your brand logo on every fabric. Make sure it stands out in all the right places!
Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Why Is Logo Size and Placement on T-shirts Important?
T-shirt logo size and placement HUGELY IMPACT how a customer perceives your t-shirts. The dimension of the logo itself can express a brand’s message effectively.
Larger logos are commonly used by brands to make a strong, attention-grabbing impression.
Shorter logos, on the other hand, often means sophistication.
Placement is, of course, just AS CRUCIAL as your logo size. It sets how visible and subtle you want your logo to be seen.
The right t-shirt logo size and placement leave a lasting impression on your customers. Make sure you choose the right combination of both for your t-shirts.
Standard T-shirt Logo Size and Placement On Shirt
Let’s go over each logo size and a standard placement on t-shirts.
1. Left Chest
Left chest is definitely the classic logo placement and GO-TO choice of most brands. Preferably by corporate companies and businesses alike.
Usually, it measures 3 to 4 inches in width and height. And located roughly 3 inches below the collar.
Short text usually works best with left chest placement. And since you only have LIMITED SPACE for your logo. Overly complicated designs must be avoided. Tendencies are customers will have a hard time figuring out your logo elements.
A CLEAR, SIMPLE logo is enough to be remembered. Just look at Nike, Adidas, and H&M.
Can I adjust the logo placement?
Yes, as long as it aligns with the size of the shirt. You can constantly adjust according to your preference.
2. Center Chest
A timeless and popular placement location perfect for an eye-catching logo.
Center chest is almost always visible. Even if customers wear a jacket and a button-down polo, the logo still attracts attention.
The size is quite larger than the left chest, but not as large as the full front. The standard width is around 6 to 10 inches. While the ideal placement should be 4 inches below the collar.
Make sure, though, that the logo is properly centered on the t-shirt. Misalignment results in AWKWARD, UNBALANCED PROPORTIONS when viewed from afar.
You can use bold logos or complex details with the center chest. Since the size isn’t a problem.
3. Full Front
As the same suggests, the logo placement of the full front is at the center chest of the shirt.
It’s like hitting two birds with one stone with full front placement. Works well with front-facing logos, as well as with artistic t-shirt designs.
Ideally, the t-shirt logo size should be about 4 inches below the collar. And typically covers the TOP PORTION of the chest.
Bold and complex logo designs are perfect with a full front. Just make sure, though, to use high-resolution files. This way, the final print WON’T come out blurry.
Fortunately, sweat patches are a COMMON ISSUE with a full front.
Expert tip: Only partner with knowledgeable and expert screen printer manufacturers. They have the right materials and techniques to avoid this problem.
Kyle Smitka, Screen Printer
4. Oversize Front
You thought the full front was big, didn’t you? Well, viola! The oversized front takes it to the next level. Making your logo AS VISIBLE as it can be!
Compared to the standard full front, this one’s bigger.
The usual t-shirt logo size ranges from 12 to 15 inches wide. And 16 inches tall. While the logo placement should be 2 inches from the collar down.
Apparently, you can’t go any higher than 14 inches tall on certain t-shirts. Including kid’s t-shirts and ladies crop tops.
The same goes with the full front. A SKILLED screen printer manufacturer is a MUST to avoid sweat patches.
5. Upper Back
I’m sure you’ve seen logos printed on the upper back of a shirt somewhere. But, company uniforms and promotional products commonly use the upper back.
Proper placement is ACROSS the shoulder blades.
Standard dimensions are between 10 inches and 14 inches wide. If you want your audience to read your logo even from afar, it should be 6 inches tall.
Want a tip?
Wide and short logo designs work best with upper back placement. But if you think your logo seems too tiny, NEVER EVER stretch it. Instead, use a taller font to avoid distortion.
Suggested Reading: Upgrade Your Style with T-Shirt Neck Types
6. Full Back
Full back is almost as big as the oversize front. The only difference is that it’s 1 inch smaller in length and width. And the placement is located at the back of the shirt.
Usually, the full-back is COMPLEMENTED by either a front print or a sleeve print. But you can always choose a print combo to enhance the shirt’s overall look.
I recommend it with left chest placement. This is a classic and the USUAL CHOICE for t-shirt events and sponsorships.
The t-shirt logo size can be as big as 14 inches wide but shouldn’t be lower than 10 inches. The maximum height recommendation is 15 inches tall. Just an inch lower than the oversize front.
Expert Advice: You can use your tag line as complimentary design for full back. It won’t overshadow your logo as long as you use readable fonts.
7. Back Collar
What started as an alternative has now become a standard. That’s how popular back collar placement is.
You’ll find most company logos printed in this location if not on the center chest.
And did you know? Back collar is commonly referred to as “Yoke.“ Which was inspired by cowboy shirts back in the day.
Sizing recommendation is smaller than the left chest. Typically ranging from 2 inches to 3 inches wide. So, as much as possible, your logo design should be simple.
Placement is roughly at eye level. About 1 inch from the shirt’s edge collar.
8. Sleeves
Sleeves are often not the first choice for many brands. But for me, it’s actually the MOST STYLISH and unique placement to put your logo.
This location allows you to showcase not just your logo but even your brand’s tagline.
However, just like the left chest, the sleeve area is relatively small. So, careful consideration is needed when choosing the size.
In general, the standard size is around 3 inches wide by 1.5 inches high. That’s the norm. You can’t go up to 5 inches. Not unless you have a wide logo design.
Suggested Reading: Youth T-shirt Size Chart Made Simple
Factors to Consider When Selecting T-shirt Logo Size
Choosing your logo size should be as intricate as choosing the materials of your t-shirts. Here are a few tips for choosing the right logo size.
Scalability
A good logo is a SCALABLE logo.
It should maintain its visual clarity regardless of where you decide to print it. Either on a billboard, business card, even on a tiny pen!
Regardless of the branding scenario, it should still look good and recognizable.
Factoring in scalability ensures you don’t lose your brand identity when you RESIZE the logo. You don’t want a logo that loses its detail when shrunk, right?
Pro Suggestion: If you want your logo to be infinitely scaled, use vector graphics. You will never lose the sharpness of your logo on any social media platform.
Pranta Datta, T-shirt and Logo Designer
Visibility
Your logo deserves to be seen. Not hidden somewhere in the shirt’s fabric. So, always prioritize your logo’s visibility when choosing the right size.
Larger placements, for example. Your logo size should BALANCE OUT the design flow. Do not make the logo as huge as the t-shirt design. You’ll just drown it from all the elements of your t-shirt design.
You want a logo size that people can quickly notice. No matter where you decide to print it.
Simplicity
Simple logos are the easiest to resize. Just look at the logos of successful brands like Adidas.
No complicated design. It’s not overwhelming to look at when scaled up. And it’s still easy to recognize at any size.
T-shirts VARY in size, and so does the space available for your logo. So, a simple logo ensures readability no matter where it’s placed. Either on the chest, back, collar, or sleeve.
Simple logos are easy to position and look professional.
Popular Logo Printing Methods
Let’s compare two of the most widely used t-shirt printing techniques in the industry.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is a popular option for bulk orders. It’s COST-EFFECTIVE, DURABLE, and produces BOLD COLORS.
This technique is not ideal for logos with intricate design elements though. As the process requires colors to be applied to multiple screens. The more complex the design, the higher the cost is. So, if your logo has 2-3 colors. This printing technique is perfect for you.
- Uses plastisol or water-based ink.
- Compatible with a variety of fabric types
- Suitable for bold graphics.
Direct-to-Garment Printing
DTG is the exact opposite of screen printing.
It’s ideal for small orders. Ideal for complex, detailed designs. But it’s not as durable as screen printing. The process is similar to printing on paper. Ink is directly applied to the fabric using an inkjet printer.
The only difference is that the print results feel much softer. And unlike screen printing, it can handle multicolored designs.
- Uses CMYK ink
- Ideal for a broad spectrum of colors
- The process is through heat transfer
You can also check our sublimation vs screen printing article for more printing options.
People Also Ask About T-shirt Logo Size
1. How do you visualize your logo on a custom t-shirt?
You can either use online tools to create mock-ups. Or the easiest is to grab a shirt in your closet.
2. Does the t-shirt size affect the logo size?
Yes. Larger shirts tend to have a slightly bigger logo. In contrast to smaller shirts which usually have a smaller logo. The logo size balances out the designs on the shirt.
3. Can I print both a small chest logo and a larger back logo?
Yes, you can! Many printing services let you add a small logo on the chest and a larger one on the back.
4. Are there standard t-shirt logo sizes for corporate apparel?
Yes, there are general sizes for logos in corporate apparel. The chest logo is usually 3 to 4 inches wide. Back logos are around 8 to 12 inches wide. But it varies depending on the shirt and the design you want.
Conclusion
Logos represent a brand across different products. It’s how customers recognize a brand just by one look. Getting the RIGHT SIZE means conveying the right brand message. Get back to this article whenever you need guidance for your t-shirt business.
Or if you need expert guidance in getting the right t-shirt logo size. Just call JaceApparel! We analyze your brand needs and create mock-ups for your approval.
We’re not just experts in getting the right t-shirt logo size. We can customize any shirt you like, too. Ensure your logo is as vibrant as possible.
Sources:
- linkedin.com – Qualities of a good logo
- looka.com – Best logo size