You’ve got a great design. Now comes the question that trips up almost everyone ordering custom t-shirts for the first time: where should it go?
At Custom Apparel List, we specialise in small-run t-shirt printing — so we help customers make this decision every day. The good news? There’s no single right answer. Different placements create very different looks, and the best choice depends on your use case, your audience, and your design shape.
Let’s walk through the most popular options.
Front placements
The front of a t-shirt is prime real estate. It’s the first thing people see, so it’s worth thinking carefully about how much of it you want to use.
Full front is the boldest choice — a large print covering most of the front panel. It’s impossible to miss and works brilliantly for artistic designs, festival merch, or anything where you want maximum visual impact. Medium front is similar but slightly smaller and centred, making it a versatile option that suits almost any design, from logos to slogans to illustrations.
If you want something cleaner and more professional, centre chest is a compact print placed right in the middle of the chest. It’s a popular choice for corporate shirts, charity events, or anything that needs to look smart without being too flashy. Across chest is different — it’s a wide, horizontal print that spans the full width of the chest, which works especially well for text-based designs and team names.
Left chest and right chest
These smaller placements sit on one side of the chest, roughly where a breast pocket would be. Left chest is the most classic of all logo positions — familiar, trustworthy, and used by everyone from sports teams to restaurants. It’s also the spot people naturally look at first when talking face to face. Right chest is less common, which can actually make it feel a little more distinctive. It’s also useful when you want to add a name, number, or secondary detail.
Sleeve placements
Sleeve prints are a great way to add detail without cluttering the main body of the shirt. They feel modern and work especially well on heavier-weight tees or when combined with a chest or back print. A small print on the left or right sleeve — usually on the upper arm — is popular for secondary branding like a website, social handle, or a secondary logo. It’s common in streetwear and sports, and it rewards people who look closely.
Vertical and bottom placements
These are the less traditional options, and that’s exactly what makes them stand out. A vertical print runs along one side of the front — tall and narrow — and works beautifully for single words, short phrases, or thin graphic elements. It’s very popular in Japanese streetwear aesthetics and gives the shirt an editorial, fashion-forward feel.
Front bottom left and front bottom right are small prints placed near the hem of the shirt. Understated and distinctive, they’re often used for edition numbers, small logos, or a subtle brand mark. If you’re going for a high-end or limited-edition feel, a bottom hem placement is one of the best-kept secrets in custom printing.
Back placements
Don’t underestimate the back. It’s a large canvas and gives you room to go big, or to include extra information like a list of names, sponsors, or an event schedule.
Full back and medium back are often paired with a small chest logo on the front — this is the classic combination for sports teams, school trips, music tours, or any occasion where people will be standing in a group and you want the design to be visible from a distance. Across shoulders gives you a wide band of print at the top of the back, which feels sporty and clean. The locker patch is a smaller, centred print lower on the back, near the collar area — it’s a subtle detail that works well for premium basics and minimalist brands.
Combining placements
One of the most effective things you can do is use two or more positions together. A small left chest logo paired with a full back print is a classic combination for events and sports. Centre chest with a sleeve print works well for branded workwear. Across chest with a small bottom-right detail gives a premium, editorial feel.
At Custom Apparel List, you can discuss placement options when you place your order — even on very small runs. We print as few as a handful of shirts, so you don’t need to commit to hundreds of pieces to get exactly the result you want.
Which placement is right for you?
If your design is for a team or event, go big: full front or full back with a small chest logo. If it’s for workwear or corporate use, keep it clean with a left chest or centre chest print. If you want a fashion-forward look, try vertical, sleeve, or bottom hem placements. And if you’re creating brand merch, a medium front or across chest lets your design do the talking.
Still not sure? Get in touch with us at customapparelist.com — we’re happy to help you figure out the best placement for your design before you order.
