Printing placements on a shirt: chest, back, sleeve, collar
Standard printing placements on a shirt and their sizes: left chest 110×90 mm, front and back up to 280×210 mm, sleeve 80×60 mm, embroidery up to 90×90 mm.
We calculate standard printing placements on a shirt as follows: left chest 110×90 mm, front and back up to 280×210 mm, sleeve 80×60 mm, and embroidery up to 90×90 mm. These sizes are the maximum printing areas within which a logo or design fits safely across all sizes from S to XXL. If the design is larger or the placement is unusual (collar, side seam, hood), we handle it individually after checking the fabric and cut.
Standard printing placements and sizes
| Placement | Standard size | Best-suited technology | Typical content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left chest | 110×90 mm | Screen printing, DTF, embroidery | Logo, company name, job title |
| Front (centre) | up to 280×210 mm | Screen printing, DTF, sublimation | Large design, slogan, graphics |
| Back | up to 280×210 mm | Screen printing, DTF | Name, contact details, number |
| Back, upper area below collar | approx. 250×60 mm | Screen printing, DTF | Company name, website |
| Sleeve | 80×60 mm | DTF, screen printing | Small logo, flag, year |
| Embroidery (any placement) | up to 90×90 mm | Embroidery | Logo, monogram |
| Inside collar (label area) | approx. 50×50 mm | DTF | Brand, size, composition |
Sizes in the table are indicative maximums. On children's shirts and women's fitted cuts, we usually reduce the area by 15–25% so the print doesn't extend over the side seams.
Chest: left side or centre
Left chest is the most commonly used placement for corporate shirts and polo shirts. The top edge of the logo is usually positioned 60–80 mm below the collar seam, and horizontally roughly in line with the left chest pocket. In this placement the logo is clearly visible while the shirt remains neutral and suitable for everyday work.
A centre-chest print up to 280×210 mm suits event shirts, sports club supporter shirts, and promotional campaigns. If the design is light-coloured on a dark fabric, we allow for a white base layer in screen printing — this affects the price, so specify the shirt colour in the artwork right away.
Polo shirts
On polo shirts, the chest printing area is smaller than on a T-shirt, since the button placket and seams take up space. The practical maximum is approximately 90×70 mm, and for this product we most often recommend embroidery up to 90×90 mm — it withstands frequent washing and looks neater.
Back: the largest area
The back offers the largest continuous surface — up to 280×210 mm. The top edge of the print usually starts 70–90 mm below the collar seam, so the design remains visible even when the person is standing upright.
A separate placement is the strip below the collar (approx. 250×60 mm). It works well for a company name or website address when the back already has a large design, or when the shirt needs extra information without interfering with the main graphic.
Sleeve and collar
The standard sleeve area is 80×60 mm. On short sleeves, we position the print 30–50 mm from the sleeve edge; on long sleeves, it's more often placed on the forearm area or the shoulder. For a single-colour logo here, we most often use DTF transfer, since screen printing on narrow sleeves requires a separate setup and increases preparation costs.
The collar actually offers two different placements. On the inside (in the label area), we print the brand, size, and composition within roughly 50×50 mm — this is often ordered by manufacturers and shops building their own product line. On the outside, at the back of the collar, there's room for only a very small element, approximately 60×20 mm; we always check this option on the specific model before production.
Technology depending on placement and quantity
- Screen printing — cost-effective from 30–50 pcs, 1–4 colours, flat areas: chest, back, front. Indicatively from EUR 1.20/pc for one colour at 50 pcs, plus screen setup.
- DTF transfer — full colour, from 1 pc, suitable for small and complex placements: sleeve, collar, children's shirts. Indicatively EUR 3–6/pc depending on size and quantity.
- Embroidery — up to 90×90 mm, for polo shirts, caps, jackets and hoodies; price depends on stitch count, indicatively from EUR 4/pc at 20 pcs.
- Sublimation — only for light-coloured polyester fabric, allows printing the whole surface with no visible border; suits sports shirts.
All prices are indicative, excl. VAT; the exact amount depends on quantity, number of colours, and number of printing placements. A second printing placement on the same shirt is always cheaper than the first, since the garment is already set up.
How to prepare the artwork
Send your logo as vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg) in CMYK mode; raster images need 300 dpi at the actual print size. Specify the printing placement, desired size in millimetres, and shirt colour — with this information we'll send a quote and a visualisation with the logo on the chosen model within one business day. Artwork approval by email is mandatory, and only then do we start production: garment printing typically takes 4–7 business days plus 2–3 days for delivery. You can choose models in the T-shirt and cap categories, and see examples of previous work in our portfolio.
Examples from our catalogue
A few examples from our catalogue with prices excluding printing:
- Beagle 155 g/m² men's short-sleeve T-shirt – Cotton, 36 colour options, price from EUR 2.22/pc at 1 pc,
- Stafford 190 g/m² men's short-sleeve T-shirt – Cotton, 41 colour options, price from EUR 3.06/pc at 1 pc,
- Star 200 g/m² men's short-sleeve polo shirt – Cotton, 34 colour options, price from EUR 5.81/pc at 1 pc,
- Capri 170 g/m² women's short-sleeve T-shirt – Cotton, 34 colour options, price from EUR 2.90/pc at 1 pc,
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest possible printing area on a T-shirt?
The standard maximum on the front and back is 280×210 mm. We can print larger areas using DTF or sublimation, but then the design must be adjusted individually for each size, and the artwork is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Can two placements be printed on one shirt?
Yes, the most common combination is a logo on the left chest (110×90 mm) and a name on the back. Each additional placement is priced separately, but the price for the second placement is lower than the first.
How big should a logo be on a sleeve?
The standard area is 80×60 mm; in practice, a width of 50–70 mm looks good. For narrower models and children's shirts, we reduce the size so the print doesn't reach the seams.
Can you print our own label inside the collar?
Yes, if the original label is removed or sewn outside the printing zone. The area is approximately 50×50 mm, using DTF technology; we check the specific shirt model before placing the order.
What file should I send for the artwork?
Vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg) in CMYK mode, or a raster image at 300 dpi at the print size. If you only have a logo from a website, let us know — we'll assess whether the quality is sufficient or whether the logo needs to be redrawn.
How long does an order take?
Garment printing typically takes 6–10 business days: production 4–7 business days depending on quantity, plus 2–3 days for delivery. Urgent orders can be arranged by agreement.
Send us your logo and shirt model at info@attaprint.lv or message us on WhatsApp at +371 25776699 — we'll prepare a quote with the printing placement, sizes, and timeline within one business day.
FAQ
What is the largest possible printing area on a T-shirt?
The standard maximum on the front and back is 280×210 mm. We can print larger areas using DTF or sublimation, but then the design must be adjusted individually for each size, and the artwork is approved on a case-by-case basis.
Can two placements be printed on one shirt?
Yes, the most common combination is a logo on the left chest (110×90 mm) and a name on the back. Each additional placement is priced separately, but the price for the second placement is lower than the first.
How big should a logo be on a sleeve?
The standard area is 80×60 mm; in practice, a width of 50–70 mm looks good. For narrower models and children's shirts, we reduce the size so the print doesn't reach the seams.
Can you print our own label inside the collar?
Yes, if the original label is removed or sewn outside the printing zone. The area is approximately 50×50 mm, using DTF technology; we check the specific shirt model before placing the order.
What file should I send for the artwork?
Vector graphics (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg) in CMYK mode, or a raster image at 300 dpi at the print size. If you only have a logo from a website, let us know — we'll assess whether the quality is sufficient or whether the logo needs to be redrawn.
How long does an order take?
Garment printing typically takes 6–10 business days: production 4–7 business days depending on quantity, plus 2–3 days for delivery. Urgent orders can be arranged by agreement.
