T-Shirt Design Placement Guide

Front T-Shirt Design Placements

The front of a custom t-shirt offers several placement options, each serving a different purpose in branding and aesthetics. Whether you’re looking for a subtle, professional logo or a bold statement piece, the right placement makes all the difference.

Print Placements

Let’s start by seeing three key print placement options along with their recommended dimensions to ensure the best results.

Left Chest Print Design Placement

One of the most popular and professional placements, the left chest print is ideal for branding. This placement is commonly used for company logos, team names, and small designs that need a subtle yet impactful presence.

• Ideal for: Business uniforms, workwear, company branding, and small logos.
• Typical size: 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) wide.
• Best printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing, and embroidery.

Center Chest Design Placement

The center chest placement provides a balanced and noticeable look. This is perfect for minimalist designs, small text-based graphics, or logos that need a centered alignment without covering the entire front.

• Ideal for: Small text, logos, or abstract artwork.
• Typical size: 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) wide.
• Best printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing, and heat transfers.

Full Front Design Placement

For maximum visibility, a full front design covers a large portion of the t-shirt’s front, making it a popular choice for bold graphics, promotional designs, and event merchandise.

• Ideal for: Large graphics, detailed illustrations, band merch, and promotional tees.
• Typical size: 25-35 cm (10-14 inches) wide.
• Best printing methods: Screen printing, DTG printing, and sublimation.

Embroidery Placements

Left Chest Design Placement

Embroidery on the left chest is a professional and durable choice for corporate branding, uniforms, and premium t-shirts. The texture of embroidery adds a high-end, long-lasting effect.

• Ideal for: Work uniforms, business branding, sports team logos.
• Typical size: 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) wide.
• Best embroidery type: Satin stitch for clean, professional finishes.

For precise placement, position the design approximately 7 cm (3 inches) below the neckline and 5 cm (2 inches) from the armpit. Ensure it sits proportionally between the sleeve and collar for a balanced look, even with the asymmetry. Keep the design size between 2.5″ × 2.5″ and 5″ × 5″ for a clean and professional appearance. Since this area is relatively small, opt for simple, bold designs to maintain clarity.

Center Chest Design Placement

Embroidery in the center chest position is less common than printing but can create a unique, fashion-forward look. It works well for minimalist logos and simple monograms.

• Ideal for: Streetwear brands, fashion apparel, and minimalist logo designs.
• Typical size: 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) wide.
• Best embroidery type: Flat embroidery for a subtle, stylish effect.

The center chest placement is perfect for larger logos, text-based designs, and simple artwork that need more visibility. Position the design 3″ to 3.5″ below the collar for optimal balance. Standard dimensions typically range from 6″ × 6″ to 10″ × 8″, with 8″ × 8″ being the most commonly used size. To maintain symmetry, always align the design with the center of the collar for a well-balanced and professional look.

Large Front Design Placement

For embroidered designs that require more impact, a large front embroidery placement is an eye-catching option. This works best with bold, thick designs rather than fine details.

• Ideal for: Premium fashion, custom workwear, varsity-style apparel.
• Typical size: 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) wide.
• Best embroidery type: Large-scale satin or fill stitch embroidery.

This placement is ideal for bold, statement-making designs, offering ample printing space to bring creative ideas to a proper physical shape. Most t-shirts allow for a 12″ × 16″ print area, giving plenty of room for detailed, eye-catching designs.

For select DTG products and larger sizes, the print area is being upgraded to 15″ × 18″, with even bigger options available for specific garments. As the product range expands, more oversized print options will become accessible, making this placement perfect for vibrant, high-detail artwork.

For optimal positioning, place the design 3–4 inches below the collar, adjusting the spacing based on the t-shirt size to maintain a balanced look. Keep in mind that larger prints require higher-resolution files to ensure crisp, professional-quality results.

Back T-Shirt Design Placement

The back of a t-shirt provides a great space for large designs, slogans, or branding elements. Back placements are especially effective for event merch, promotional tees, and athletic wear.

Upper Back Placement

Typically located below the neckline, this subtle design placement is great for small logos or names.

Center Back Placement

It works well for larger designs, event branding, or slogans.

Full Back Design

It covers a large area of the shirt’s back, ideal for promotional graphics and bold prints.

The best printing methods for customising the backside of a t-shirt are Screen printing, DTG printing, and sublimation.

Sleeve Placement

Printing on sleeves adds a unique branding element without overwhelming the overall design. This is a great option for logos, short phrases, or small graphics.

• Ideal for: Business branding, sports teams, fashion-forward designs.
• Typical size: 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) wide.
• Best printing methods: Heat transfer, screen printing, embroidery.

Popular options:

• Left sleeve (most common for branding)
• Right sleeve (great for secondary logos or symbols)
• Double sleeve prints for symmetry

Seam-to-Seam Placement for All-Over Printing

For a bold, full-coverage look, all-over printing extends across the entire shirt, from seam to seam. This method works best with sublimation printing, allowing the design to cover the entire fabric.

• Ideal for: Artistic designs, patterns, fashion brands, and promotional wear.
• Best printing method: Sublimation printing (only on polyester fabrics).

Best T-Shirt Design Placements

For Logos

• Left Chest: Professional, timeless, and ideal for branding.
• Upper Back: Subtle yet effective for reinforcing a brand.
• Sleeve: Great for adding an extra logo element without overpowering the main design.

For Artwork

• Full Front: Maximum impact for detailed illustrations and large designs.
• Full Back: Works well for statement pieces and promotional artwork.
• All-Over Printing: Best for unique, high-fashion designs with full coverage.

For Text-Based Designs

• Center Chest: Ideal for slogans, quotes, or brand names.
• Upper Back: Great for event shirts and promotional messaging.
• Sleeve: Small text elements can add a stylish touch without taking over the design.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right t-shirt design placement can make or break the overall look of your custom apparel. Whether you’re printing logos, artwork, or promotional messages, selecting the right area ensures maximum visibility, comfort, and style.

Need expert guidance? At Garment Printing, we offer professional t-shirt printing and embroidery services for Australian businesses, brands, and events. From left chest embroidery to full-back prints, we help you create high-quality, standout apparel.

Get started today with Garment Printing and bring your t-shirt design vision to life!