T-shirt design size guide
A full-size back print is usually up to about 12 × 16 inches (30 × 40 cm), and a left-chest logo about 3.5–4 inches (9–10 cm) wide. Youth tees and hoodie fronts need smaller artwork, around 10 × 12 in and 11 × 13 in. Design at the print area's real size at 300 DPI so the printer doesn't have to enlarge it.
Print areas by garment
| Placement | Typical artwork size | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Back, full | 12 × 16 in | 30 × 41 cm |
| Left chest logo | Up to 4 × 4 in | Up to 10 × 10 cm |
| Youth t-shirt front | 10 × 12 in | 25 × 30 cm |
| Hoodie front (above the pocket) | 11 × 13 in | 28 × 33 cm |
| Tote bag | 12 × 14 in | 30 × 36 cm |
These are the sizes CatalogProFlow's apparel templates use. Your printer's maximum print area depends on the method (screen printing, direct-to-garment, heat transfer or embroidery) and the garment size, so check their spec sheet before ordering. A design doesn't have to fill the whole area; many good shirt prints are 10–11 inches wide.
Where to place a front print
- Start the top of the design about 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) below the collar seam on an adult tee. Too low and it sits on the stomach.
- Centre it on the shirt, not on the page. Templates already centre the artwork.
- Left-chest logos sit on the wearer's left side, roughly level with the armpit seam.
Design tips that print well
- Fewer colours print more cleanly and cost less with screen printing; one to three colours is common for staff shirts.
- Thin lines and tiny text can fill in or break up on fabric. Keep text above about 14 pt at print size, and thicken fine strokes.
- Think about the shirt colour: white ink on dark shirts and dark ink on light shirts. Test both if you'll order several colours.
- For embroidery (hats, left-chest logos), simplify the logo: small text and gradients don't stitch well.
Files to send
- A high-resolution file at full print size: 300 DPI means a 12 × 16 in back print is 3600 × 4800 pixels.
- A vector logo (SVG) if the printer asks for one; the free logo maker downloads SVG.
- Tell the printer the shirt colours, sizes and quantities, and ask for a digital proof.
Making it in CatalogProFlow
- Open a t-shirt, hoodie or tote template: logo tees, slogan stacks, crests, left-chest marks and more.
- Swap in your logo, words and colours.
- Use Preview on product to see it on a shirt or mug mock-up before you print.
- Download a print-ready file, or order shirts where our print partners offer apparel.
Ordering staff or event shirts
- Collect sizes before ordering; a simple spreadsheet with names and sizes avoids guesswork.
- Order a sample in one size and colour first if it's a large run.
- Allow time for proofs and production, especially before events.
Questions
- What size should a t-shirt design be?
- For a full back print, up to about 12 × 16 inches (30 × 40 cm). Smaller designs around 10–11 inches wide are common on fronts; left-chest logos are about 3.5–4 inches wide.
- What resolution do I need for a t-shirt print?
- About 300 pixels per inch at the printed size. A 12 × 16 in print is 3600 × 4800 pixels.
- How far below the collar should a shirt design go?
- On adult shirts, about 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) below the collar seam is a common starting point.
- Can I see my design on a shirt before printing?
- Yes. Preview on product shows the design on an apparel or mug mock-up in the editor.