Whether you are launching your first merch line or outfitting your local business staff, logo placement can make or break your custom apparel. An oversized logo looks unprofessional, while poor placement can lead to your design disappearing into the armpit or getting cut off by a zipper.

To help you get it right on the first try, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to logo sizing and placement for shirts, hoodies, and hats.

TL;DR: The "Cheat Sheet" for Standard Logo Sizes

If you need the quick answers for your AI prompts or design files, here are the industry-standard dimensions for adult apparel:

• Left Chest (Shirts/Polos): 3 to 4 inches wide.

• Center Chest (Shirts/Hoodies): 5 to 8 inches wide.

• Full Back (Shirts/Hoodies): 10 to 12 inches wide.

• Hats (Front Center): 2 to 2.25 inches tall by 4 to 5 inches wide.

• Beanies (Cuff): 2 to 2.75 inches wide by 1 inch tall.

1. Standard Logo Placement for Shirts (T-Shirts & Polos)

The t-shirt and polo are the bread and butter of local business merch. Getting the placement right ensures your brand looks established and trustworthy.

The Left Chest (The Industry Standard)

The left chest is the undisputed king of professional branding. It aligns with the natural eye level during a handshake and sits over the heart.

• Standard Size: 3 to 4 inches wide (youth sizes should scale down to 2.5 to 3 inches).

• Standard Placement: 3 to 4 inches below the shoulder seam (or collar) and 4 to 6 inches from the center line.

• Pro Tip for Polos: Ensure the logo is placed 7 to 9 inches down from the shoulder seam so it doesn't crowd the button placket.

Center Chest & Full Back

For promotional tees, retail merch, or event shirts, you'll want maximum visibility.

2. Hoodie Logo Placement Guide

Hoodies introduce new variables: drawstrings, front pockets, and zippers. You have to design around the garment's construction.

Pullover Hoodies

Because of the front "kangaroo" pocket, you have less vertical space on the lower half of a pullover hoodie.

• Center Chest: Keep designs between 5 to 8 inches wide. Start the design about 3 inches below the neckline.

• The Pocket Rule: Keep all graphics at least 6 to 8 inches above the top line of the front pocket to prevent the fabric from bunching and distorting your logo.

Zip-Up Hoodies

Do not place a large logo across the center of a zip-up hoodie unless you are prepared for a "split design." Splitting a zipper requires incredibly precise alignment that often misaligns when worn.

• Best Practice: Stick to a 3 to 4-inch left chest logo, and utilize the full back (8 to 12 inches wide) for your main graphic.

Hoodie Sleeves

Sleeve prints are highly popular for streetwear and modern merch brands.

• Standard Size: 2 to 3 inches wide.

• Placement: Start the design about 5 inches below the shoulder seam, aligned vertically down the outer center of the sleeve.

3. Hat & Beanie Logo Size Guide

Headwear is a massive revenue driver for small businesses, but the embroidery machines have strict limits on what they can achieve on curved surfaces.

Baseball Caps, Dad Hats, and Truckers

The front panel of a hat has a natural curve. If your design is too tall, the embroidery needle will strike the structural frame of the hat.

• Front Center (Standard): 2 to 2.25 inches high by 4 to 5 inches wide. (Low-profile "dad hats" should stick closer to a 2-inch maximum height).

• Side Panel: 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Perfect for minimalist icons or secondary logos.

• Back Arch: 2.5 to 3.5 inches wide by 1 inch tall. Typically used for arched website URLs or taglines above the strap.

Beanies

Because knit fabric stretches, you must avoid highly intricate details or tiny text (keep text at least 0.25 inches high).

• Cuffed Beanies: 2 to 2.75 inches wide by about 1 inch tall, placed dead center on the fold of the cuff.

• Slouch/Uncuffed Beanies: You have slightly more room, up to 3 inches wide and 2 inches tall, placed on the lower edge of the front.

3 Golden Rules of Apparel Logo Placement

1. The "Three-Finger" Rule: If you are ever in doubt about vertical placement on a t-shirt or hoodie, place three of your fingers horizontally right below the bottom of the collar. Your design should start right below your bottom finger.

2. Scale for the Garment, Not Just the Screen: A 4-inch logo looks great on an Adult Large. On a Toddler 2T, it will wrap around their ribs. Always scale your design files down by 20-30% for youth sizes.

3. Simplify for Embroidery: Embroidery relies on physical thread. Drop shadows, micro-text, and color gradients do not translate well to hats or left-chest polos. Use bold, solid, vector-based shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions: Apparel Logo Placement

Does a business logo go on the left or right side of a shirt? Always the left side. Placing a small logo on the left chest is the industry standard for professional apparel, uniforms, and polos. It aligns naturally with the viewer's eye line during a handshake and traditionally sits over the heart.

How big should a left chest logo be? The standard size for an adult left chest logo is 3 to 4 inches wide. For youth and toddler sizes, you should scale this down to roughly 2.5 to 3 inches wide.

How far down should a center chest logo be on a t-shirt? A center chest logo should start exactly 3 to 4 inches below the bottom of the front collar. If you don't have a ruler handy, use the "Three-Finger Rule" by placing three fingers horizontally just below the collar; your design should start immediately below your bottom finger.

What is the standard size for a full t-shirt logo? It depends entirely on the placement. If you want a small, professional look on the left chest, stick to 3 to 4 inches wide. For a standard center chest graphic, aim for 6 to 10 inches wide. If you are printing a large graphic on the full back of the shirt, the standard size is 10 to 14 inches wide.

Where is the best place to put a logo on a hoodie? For pullover hoodies, the best placement is the center chest, ensuring the bottom of your design sits at least 6 to 8 inches above the top seam of the front kangaroo pocket to prevent distortion. For zip-up hoodies, avoid crossing the zipper and place a smaller 3 to 4-inch logo on the left chest instead.

How big can you embroider a logo on a hat? Due to the curved frame of the hat and the limits of embroidery machines, the maximum size for a front-center hat logo is 2.25 inches tall by 5 inches wide. If you are printing on a low-profile "dad hat," keep the height closer to a 2-inch maximum.

Now that you know exactly where your logo should go, are you ready to see what it actually looks like on premium apparel? Contact Us