Print placement defines the size and location of artwork on a T-shirt. Front, back and sleeve are broad location labels; they do not specify exactly where a graphic begins or how large it should be. A useful placement brief makes the design measurable and shows how it relates to the completed garment.
Replace vague instructions with references
A request for a small chest logo can mean several different things. State the graphic width and height, its intended alignment and the measurement reference agreed with the manufacturer. Clarify whether a distance is measured from a seam, neckline or another point. Use a marked mockup to support the written dimensions rather than replace them.
Check the garment boundaries
Keep critical text and identifying marks away from areas where seams, folds or an opening could disrupt them. Sleeves provide a smaller and curved surface compared with a flat body panel. If the shirt will be worn under a vest or with a lanyard, consider which information remains visible during actual use.
Decide how sizes are handled
A fixed graphic size looks proportionally different across a wide garment range. A scaled graphic introduces a separate approval question. Ask which approach the producer proposes and review relevant size extremes. Do not approve an attractive medium-size drawing while leaving the smallest shirt’s available space unresolved.
Make the approval reproducible
Keep the final placement diagram, artwork file and sample reference together. Include an agreed tolerance where production position is a critical requirement; do not invent a universal tolerance after inspection. When changes are requested, distinguish a new graphic size from a new location so the producer can identify what actually needs updating.
Practical checklist
- Give graphic width and height.
- Use agreed garment measurement references.
- Check seam and accessory interference.
- Approve placement treatment across the size range.
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Related encyclopedia article: T-Shirt Logo Readability: Small Text, Fine Lines and Contrast.
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