Sleeve and Collar Printing: Small Spots on a T-Shirt
Sleeve printing in a standard size of 80×60 mm, embroidery up to 90×90 mm, inside collar from 40×60 mm. Technologies, prices and turnaround times.
Sleeve printing is entirely doable — our standard sleeve print area is 80×60 mm, embroidery in this spot up to 90×90 mm, and on the inside of the collar (where the manufacturer's label usually sits) we typically print a logo sized 40×60 mm up to 50×50 mm. Technically, these are the same methods we use on the chest — DTF transfer, screen printing or embroidery — just with a smaller frame and more precise positioning. Prices start from EUR 1.50/pc (screen printing from 250 pcs) up to EUR 6.00/pc (DTF for a single piece).
What sizes work for small print areas
Small print areas are limited not by the machine, but by the seams. A sleeve has a side seam and a hem, so the usable area is narrower than it looks. In children's sizes and women's cuts, the sleeve is shorter — plan for a smaller motif there.
| Area | Recommended size | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeve (print) | 80×60 mm | Standard, at least 15 mm clearance from seams |
| Sleeve (embroidery) | up to 90×90 mm | On thicker fabrics — hoodies, jackets |
| Inside collar | 40×60 mm | DTF only; where the label is cut off |
| Back of collar, outside | 60×30 mm | Below the seam, a narrow strip |
| Left chest | 110×90 mm | Classic logo spot for comparison |
| Front / back | up to 280×210 mm | The large area |
A vertical or square logo, a number, a sponsor mark or a QR code works well on a sleeve. A thin horizontal line of text smaller than 4 pt is not recommended — it becomes illegible on the texture of the fabric.
What each technology can do
DTF transfer
The most flexible method for small areas. We print a full-colour image and heat-press it with a small press that fits onto the sleeve or collar. Works from 1 piece, and the number of colours doesn't affect the price. We also use this for the inside of the collar when a customer removes the original label and wants their own branding.
Screen printing
The most cost-effective option from 50 pcs. A small frame is needed for the sleeve, and the work is slower than on a flat front panel, but from 100+ pcs the price per position drops to EUR 1.90. Each colour requires separate setup at EUR 35.00.
Embroidery
Suits sleeves on polo shirts, hoodies and jackets. For small areas, plan for a logo size up to 90×90 mm; overly fine details and text under 5 mm in height blur together in embroidery. If the logo is complex, we offer a simplified version specifically for the small area.
Prices per additional print position
Prices are indicative, excl. VAT, and apply to one print position. If the sleeve is a second position in addition to the chest, each position is charged separately.
| Method | 1 pc | 20 pcs | 50 pcs | 100 pcs | 250 pcs | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF (up to A4) | 6.00 | 5.00 | 4.20 | 4.20 | on request | 0.00 |
| Screen printing, 1 colour | 3.50 | 3.50 | 2.50 | 1.90 | 1.50 | 35.00 |
| Embroidery up to 10,000 stitches | 5.50 | 4.50 | 3.80 | 3.80 | on request | 25.00 |
For small quantities (up to 30 pcs) with two positions, DTF usually works out cheaper than screen printing, since there's no setup fee. From 100 pcs with a single-colour logo, screen printing is more cost-effective even with a EUR 35.00 setup fee per colour. We include a precise comparison in our quote.
Examples from our catalogue
- Beagle 155 g/m² men's T-shirt – cotton, 36 colours, sleeve printing suits DTF, from EUR 2.22/pc at 1 pc.
- Stafford 190 g/m² men's T-shirt – denser cotton, 41 colours, holds screen printing well even on the sleeve, from EUR 3.03/pc at 100 pcs.
- Star 200 g/m² men's polo shirt – cotton, 34 colours, a common solution: embroidery on the chest + small logo on the sleeve, from EUR 5.75/pc at 100 pcs.
- Star 200 g/m² women's polo shirt – 34 colours, same cut line for the team, from EUR 5.75/pc at 100 pcs.
- Capri 170 g/m² women's T-shirt – cotton, 34 colours, narrower sleeve — we reduce the motif to roughly 70×50 mm, from EUR 2.90/pc.
- Bahrain 135 g/m² men's sports T-shirt – polyester, 23 colours, sponsor mark on the sleeve with DTF, from EUR 1.98/pc at 100 pcs.
- Heros 150 g/m² men's T-shirt – 9 colours, thinner fabric, a thin DTF film suits the small area, from EUR 3.21/pc at 100 pcs.
- Stafford 190 g/m² children's T-shirt – 38 colours, in children's sizes the sleeve motif is up to 60×40 mm, from EUR 2.46/pc at 100 pcs.
You can browse the full selection in the T-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies sections.
Files and artwork approval
For small print areas, vector artwork is mandatory: .ai, .eps, .pdf or .svg, CMYK. If only a raster file is available, it needs at least 300 dpi at actual size — 80×60 mm means roughly 945×709 px. For screen printing, we separate each colour individually; for embroidery, we convert the file in stitch-digitising software.
Before production, we send an artwork proof with the precise position and dimensions in millimetres — for example, the sleeve motif centred 80 mm from the bottom of the sleeve. The artwork must be approved by e-mail. For more on the methods, see our garment printing page; for finished examples, see our work.
Turnaround times
If the garment is already with us or brought in by the customer, printing is usually done in 1–3 business days. If T-shirts need to be ordered from the catalogue, the total turnaround is 6–10 business days: production and printing 4–7 business days depending on quantity, plus 2–3 days delivery. Urgent jobs can be arranged by agreement.
FAQ
Can both sleeves be printed?
Yes. Each sleeve is a separate position, so the price is charged twice. For screen printing, the EUR 35.00 setup fee is also charged per colour and per position, which is why we usually recommend DTF for small quantities with two sleeves.
Can I print my own label on the inside of the collar?
Yes, with DTF transfer. Recommended size is 40×60 mm — logo, size, composition and care symbols. The original label needs to be cut off beforehand; we can do this for you by agreement.
Will sleeve printing withstand washing?
It holds up just as well as chest printing: wash up to 40°C, inside out, no bleach, iron from the reverse side. The sleeve wears out faster mechanically, so for sportswear we more often recommend screen printing or embroidery.
What is the minimum order?
For DTF and embroidery — 1 piece. For screen printing, the practical minimum is around 20–30 pcs, since the EUR 35.00 setup fee significantly raises the per-piece price for smaller quantities.
Can you print on my own T-shirts?
Yes, we also work with customer-supplied materials. Beforehand we need to know the fabric composition, and it's advisable to provide one sample for a test press, especially if the fabric is thin or treated with a coating.
How much does a sleeve logo cost if I'm already ordering chest printing?
Each position is charged separately. For example, 100 polo shirts with single-colour screen printing on the chest and on the sleeve — EUR 1.90 + EUR 1.90 per piece plus two setup fees of EUR 35.00 each.
