Easier Embroidered Logo Placement on Shirts

April 09, 2010
By Steven Batts, Contributing Writer

Embroidered shirts are a staple of the embroidery business. As a result, there have been numerous guides published that include information on where embroidered logos should be placed on shirts. This information usually is based on measurements of different reference points on the garment. For example, a typical left-chest logo should be placed about 6 inches down from the shoulder and 4 inches from the center of the shirt.

The problem with these types of measurements is that they don’t work for all shirt sizes. The measurements listed above won’t really work well on small sizes or very large sizes. There usually is a different set of guidelines for garments sizes 2XL and larger.

Many embroiderers like to “eyeball it,” and they end up placing the design where they think it looks best. That's not necessarily wrong, but I would just suggest making sure you are consistent with the way you frame every shirt. Consistency is the key to any successful business. If the majority of your business is embroidering shirts, then it makes sense to have a framing method that is quick, efficient and helps you deliver consistent results.

The Framing Board
The first thing that enables give speed and consistency is a framing board. There are a few different framing board manufacturers available, and the price point on these devices vary tremendously — from $1,000 for a nice, name-brand unit that aids in everything from holding the backing to keeping your hoop straight, to a simpler board that costs about $50. The key is to have a framing board that works for you.

Nearly all framing boards are shaped like an easel with a shoulder shape at the top. They have a template to hold the inner ring of the hoop. When you slide the shirt over the top, align it to the hoop and press it in. While boards vary in how easy they make a job, they all should allow you to consistently get shirts framed in the same place each time without a lot of work. Even if you do measure to find your placement, the board will make it easier by having the shirt upright in a position that makes the points easier to measure.

Design With Sleeve, Collar in Mind
When eyeballing it, remember to be sure the spot is consistent. As mentioned earlier, this can be challenging — even when measuring because of the variations in shirt sizes. How can you find the right place to put the logo, regardless of the shirt size, without keeping a spreadsheet of measurements for every shirt size?

The answer is quite simple. If you observe where all these measurements land for logo placement, you will discover that the design usually is placed in a particular spot. Instead of referencing your target spot in relation to the shoulder and center of the shirt, look at where the design is in reference to the sleeve and the collar.

You will find that the design ends up falling vertically with the center of where the sleeve is sewn into the shirt. Horizontally, the design is centered just off the edge of the collar. So rather than measuring every shirt that comes along, simply frame it centered on these two points. This way, as the shirt gets bigger, your center points will not change with the shirt size.

There are variations to this principle with different shirt styles. For example, on a three-button placket shirt (golf shirt), I usually center the design vertically with the third button. I also make sure the design does not extend below the bottom of the placket.

Pocketed shirts are another variation. I actually prefer embroidering these types of shirts because it removes all guesswork from the framing process. You simply line up the hoop with the pocket and put the bottom of the design at least 1 inch above the pocket. In fact, the pocket provides a nice straight line for you to align the hoop. Even if the pocket is sewn on slightly crooked — which happens surprisingly often — you should still frame the shirt to align with the pocket.

Why? Because customers will more likely assume the embroidery is crooked, rather than the pocket.

However you frame, remember that consistency is the most important thing. That is what brings customers back. Following these guidelines makes it a little easier to get that consistency.

Steven Batts, a consultant with 17 years experience in the embroidery industry, owns Righteous Threads, Greensboro, N.C., which offers digitizing, embroidery and machine maintenance services. Steven regularly leads seminars at ISS shows and is an industry speaker and consultant. For more information or to comment on this article, e-mail Steven at righteousthreads@gmail.com.



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