How to Choose the Right Logo Size & Placement for Garments

When ordering custom clothing, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where your logo goes and how big it should be. It might seem like a small detail, but logo placement can completely change how your brand is perceived. The right positioning creates a professional, polished look, while the wrong choice can make even high-quality garments look unbalanced or ineffective.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best logo placements, recommended sizes, and when to use printing vs embroidery, so you can get it right first time.
Why Logo Placement Matters
Your logo isn’t just decoration, it’s your brand identity.
Choosing the right placement helps:
- Improve visibility and recognition
- Create a professional appearance
- Ensure consistency across your team or merchandise
- Make your garments more effective for marketing
Whether you’re ordering for workwear, events, or your own clothing brand, placement should always match your purpose.
Standard Logo Placements Explained
Left Chest (Most Popular for Businesses)
The left chest is the go-to choice for professional clothing.
Best for:
- Workwear
- Corporate uniforms
- Polo shirts and hoodies
Why it works:
- Clean and subtle
- Easy to recognise
- Ideal for embroidery
Recommended size:
👉 7–10cm wide
Full Back Print (Maximum Visibility)
A full back design is perfect when you want your branding to stand out.
Best for:
- Events and promotions
- Staff uniforms
- Merchandise and branded apparel
Why it works:
- Highly visible from a distance
- Great for bold designs or messaging
Recommended size:
👉 25–30cm wide
Centre Chest (Bold & Modern)
A centre chest logo creates a more fashion-forward look.
Best for:
- Clothing brands
- Streetwear
- Promotional t-shirts
Why it works:
- Eye-catching and modern
- Works well with printed designs
Recommended size:
👉 15–25cm wide
Sleeve Branding (Subtle & Premium)
Sleeve logos are a great way to add a secondary branding element.
Best for:
- Premium garments
- Corporate branding
- Layered logo designs
Why it works:
- Adds a professional finish
- Complements chest or back logos
Recommended size:
👉 5–8cm wide
Neck / Label Prints (Advanced Branding)
Often used by clothing brands, this placement is more subtle.
Best for:
- Fashion brands
- Private label garments
Why it works:
- Enhances brand identity
- Creates a retail-ready feel
Printing vs Embroidery: What Works Best Where?
Choosing between printing and embroidery is just as important as placement.
Printing Works Best For:
- Large designs (back or centre chest)
- Detailed artwork or gradients
- Creative and bold branding
Embroidery Works Best For:
- Small logos (especially chest and sleeves)
- Workwear and uniforms
- Long-term durability
👉 Simple rule:
- Small + professional = embroidery
- Large + detailed = printing
Common Logo Placement Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common issues:
❌ Logo too large for the garment
❌ Logo too small to be visible
❌ Placing logos too low or off-centre
❌ Using embroidery for overly detailed designs
❌ Not considering the garment type
Getting these wrong can impact both appearance and cost, so it’s worth getting right from the start.
Pro Tips from the Experts
- Keep embroidery designs clean and simple
- Think about how far away your logo will be seen from
- Use high-contrast colours for better visibility
- Match placement to purpose (e.g. subtle for workwear, bold for events)
- Consider combining placements (e.g. chest + back)
Can You Combine Logo Placements?
Yes! and it’s often the best approach.
Popular combinations include:
- Embroidered chest logo + printed back design
- Chest logo + sleeve branding
- Front logo + inside neck branding (for clothing brands)
This gives you both professional appearance and strong visibility.
How to Choose the Right Setup (Quick Checklist)
Before placing your order, ask yourself:
- What is the purpose of the clothing?
- Who will be wearing it?
- How often will it be used?
- Do you want subtle or bold branding?
- What type of garment are you using?
Answering these will help you choose the right placement, size, and finish.
Need Help Choosing?
If you’re unsure what will work best, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At My Garment Factory, we help businesses, brands, and organisations choose the right logo size, placement, and customisation method before production - ensuring your garments look exactly how you want them to.
👉 Visit www.mygarmentfactory.co.uk to get started