How Big Should My Artwork Be? A Guide to Print Sizes for Infant, Toddler, Youth & Adult Apparel

One of the most common questions we get is: “What size should I make my design for my shirt?” The answer depends on two things:

1. The garment size (infant, toddler, youth, or adult).

2. The placement (full front, left chest, sleeve, etc.).

   
   

To make things easier, we’ve put together this guide with general sizing recommendations.

👶 Infant Sizes (0–24 months)

• Full front design: 4–6 inches wide

• Left chest: 2–3 inches wide

• Sleeve print: 1.5–2.5 inches wide

  
  

Tip: Keep it simple and not too tall — babies don’t have much shirt “real estate.”

👧 Toddler Sizes (2T–5T)

• Full front design: 6–8 inches wide

• Left chest: 2.5–3 inches wide

• Sleeve print: 2–3 inches wide

  
  

Tip: Toddler shirts are boxy, so square or circle logos work especially well.

🧒 Youth Sizes (XS–XL)

• Full front design: 8–10 inches wide

• Left chest: 3–4 inches wide

• Sleeve print: 2.5–3.5 inches wide

  
  

Tip: For youth hoodies, keep designs on the smaller side so they don’t fold into the pocket seam.

👕 Adult Sizes (S–3XL+)

• Full front design: 10–12 inches wide (sometimes up to 13” on 2XL–3XL)

• Left chest: 3.5–4.5 inches wide

• Sleeve print: 3–4 inches wide

• Back design (across shoulders): 12–14 inches wide

  
  

Tip: For oversized prints, check the max press area of your heat press or screen. Bigger isn’t always better — balance the design with the shirt size.

A Few Extra Pointers

• Aspect ratio matters: Always size proportionally so your design doesn’t get stretched or distorted.

• Gang sheets = flexibility: If you’re unsure, order a couple of different sizes on the same sheet and test them out.

• Mockups are your friend: Use a mockup generator or simply tape your printed design to a shirt to “preview” the size.

  
  

The Importance of Design Size

Choosing the right design size is crucial. It can make or break the overall look of your shirt. A well-sized design enhances the garment's appeal, while an ill-fitting one can detract from it. Remember, the goal is to create a lasting impression.

✅ The Bottom Line

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but these guidelines will give you a solid starting point. The most important thing is to match the design size to the shirt size so it looks balanced and professional.

Need help sizing your artwork? At DTFTransferMaker.com, our gang sheet builder shows alerts for resolution and lets you create custom-sized designs up to 240” long — so you can get the perfect fit every time.