Sizing up Your Graphic for T-shirts

Elena Duggan
Oct 2, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Apr 17

In recent years, the way clothing is made has changed significantly thanks to on-demand printing. Many apparel decorating shops now use direct-to-film (DTF) printing to deliver the vibrant designs and logos their customers want. But to get great results, it's important to understand how image sizing plays a role—especially when you're building your gang sheets.

And here’s the key: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to design dimensions. It can feel a bit confusing, but don’t stress—we’re here to help you figure out the ideal size for your T-shirt designs.

Determining the Ideal T-Shirt Image Size: Key Factors to Consider

When deciding how big (or small) to make your design, keep these three things in mind:

1. Type of Garment

Think about the type of clothing you’re decorating—T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, etc. T-shirts usually offer more space for your design because they don’t have extra features like pockets, hoods, or zippers that can get in the way.

2. Garment Size

Size absolutely matters! Larger shirts give you more printable area. For example, you can typically start printing about 2.5–3 inches below the collar on most men’s and women’s sizes. For smaller sizes like Men’s/Unisex XS or Women’s Small, aim for around 2 inches. The maximum standard print area for the front or back is typically 12x16 inches—but you’ll want to scale down the design for smaller garments to keep proportions looking right.

3. Print Provider's Specifications

Always double-check your print provider’s specs. Each provider uses different equipment, which may limit how large your design can be. At PNW Print Co, we print DTF transfers on 22-inch wide rolls and offer a super easy-to-use gang sheet builder, giving you the flexibility to size your artwork exactly how you envision it.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to size your design just right—no matter what you're printing on.

Design Placement

Before sending your order to PNW Print Co, it’s important to decide where the design should go on the shirt.

Here are the most common placement options:

Left (or Right) Chest: Typically 3.5–4.5” wide. Perfect for logos and formal/corporate designs.
Center Chest: Usually 9–13” wide. Great for both casual and professional styles.
Full Front: Around 10x12”. Good for statement pieces or expressive graphics.
Oversized Front: Can go up to 14x20”! Perfect for bold, relaxed styles.
Back Collar: Small (2–3” wide), often used for branding—inside or outside.
Upper Back: Often 11–14” wide. Common for corporate IDs, staff, sports, and volunteer tees.
Vertical Left or Right: Great for team branding. Usually 14–16” tall.
Full Back: Typically 12x16” or larger. A great canvas for impactful designs.
Sleeve: Usually 3–4” wide. Great for flags, logos, or subtle branding.

These are just standard suggestions—you can mix, match, and customize placements to fit your design vision!

Should I Adjust the Design Size Based on the T-Shirt Size?

The simplest approach is to use the same design size across all shirt sizes—but that may not always give the best results. A design that looks perfect on a Medium may feel small on a 3XL, or oversized on a Small.

As a general rule, aim for about 5–8 inches of space on either side of your design on adult T-shirts to ensure balance.

📝 Pro Tip: No two shirts are exactly the same. Brand, fabric, color, and sizing all impact how a design looks once pressed. To test sizing, cut a scrap piece of paper to your design’s dimensions, tape it to a shirt, and check how it looks in the mirror before placing your DTF order.

Recommended Design Widths by Shirt Size

These are general guidelines based on what has worked well in our experience:

Small – Medium: Max width 9–10.5 inches
Large – XL: Max width 10–11.5 inches
2XL – 3XL: Max width 11–13 inches
4XL: Max width 12–14.5 inches

Remember, these are starting points—you can tweak them to suit your design and customer preferences.

What About Names on the Back of T-Shirts?

If you're adding names to the back, here's a solid baseline:

Letter Height: 2–2.5 inches
Name Length: 10–12 inches
Placement: About 3 inches below the collar, centered
Back Collar Option: 1–2 inches below the collar, depending on design size

📏 Keep the name large enough to be readable, but not so big it throws off the shirt’s balance.

Sizing for the Backs of Sports Shirts: Names & Numbers

When it comes to sports jerseys or team shirts, sizing the name and number on the back is all about visibility, balance, and staying within the printable space.

Here’s a quick guide to help you get it right:

📛 Names (Player Last Names or Nicknames)

Letter height: 2.5"–3" for adult sizes
Max width: 10–12 inches (adjust based on shirt size and name length)
Placement: Typically 2–3 inches below the collar, centered across the upper back
Tips:
- Keep the spacing tight enough to look clean but wide enough to be legible from a distance.
- For long names, reduce the font size slightly to fit the max width or consider arching the name.

🔢 Numbers

Single-digit numbers: 6"–8" tall
Double-digit numbers: 6"–7" tall to keep them within printable space
Standard width per digit: Around 4"–5" depending on the font
Placement: Centered below the name, usually with a 1–1.5" gap between the name and number

✅ Common Layout Example (Adult Shirt)

[PLAYER NAME] → 2.5–3” tall, 10–12” wide, 2.5” below the collar  
   [NUMBER]   → 6–8” tall, centered, 1” below the name

⚠️ Watch Out For:

Youth Sizes: Scale down names to 2–2.5" tall and numbers to 5–6" tall.
Very long names: You may need to arch or reduce font size or width.
Heat-sensitive fabric (like performance shirts): Always test first to avoid scorching or shiny press marks.

Bonus Tip: Build Your Sports Shirt Gang Sheets Smarter

When building gang sheets for team orders, group identical number sizes together, and place names as separate elements. This way, you can mix and match efficiently without wasting space — or material.

Extra Tips for a Perfect Fit

✅ Use a T-shirt guide (order yours here): Fold the design in half to find the center and align it with the shirt’s center mark.
✅ Watch for obstructions: Avoid seams, zippers, or hoods that may interfere with printing.
✅ Adjust for fitted cuts: Smaller or more tailored shirts may need scaled-down designs.
✅ Measure before you press: Use the actual garment for best results.
✅ Experiment: Don’t be afraid to tweak sizes and placements!

Don't Forget the Mockup!

Before placing your transfer order, always make a mockup for your customer. A digital design may look different once it’s on a shirt—especially in terms of scale. A mockup ensures everyone’s on the same page and avoids surprises later.

In summary...

Picking the right design size for a T-shirt isn’t an exact science. It depends on the garment, design, and what looks best in real life—not just on your screen. Keep these tips in mind, test when you can, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure.

Happy Pressing!