i don't have one size, but i do my own designs in htv/jpss, so i have no limitations as to custom sizes
for adult unisex tee's i do one for xs/s, one for m, one for l/xl and one for 2xl (anything above that gets it's own size too)
then obviously different sizes for ladies (tanks and tee's), youth, toddler, etc.

screenprinters will usually do one size,
because they only want to make one screen (more screens = more time/resources/$$$)

 

T is right. If you are screen printing, due to cost of making screens, you want to reach a happy medium. So instead of 12 inch wide, you do 11. Will look slightly smaller on larger sizes and slightly larger on smaller sizes. But you avoid what your mocks show.

But any other decoration technique (DTG, DTF, vinyl, sublimation and other inkjet transfers), do different sizes for different sized shirts. You actually end up saving money that way by using less ink.

 

I would do L size then

But if you have to choose, show them smaller T with bigger logo. They will understand when they get 3XL with smaller print.

 

Consider also that how it looks on a shirt lying flat is NOT how it looks worn on a person. People are not flat , so some of that "extra" space around the design is going to end up on the person's side, not their chest. Many of the shirt images you see online are mockups where they have exaggerated the size of the art for visibility online, even though they don't print them that large.

I screen print, so limit most of my designs to 10" wide. I print on everything from a slim women's size small to a boxy cut men's size 6XL.

 

the last time i had tees printed (many years ago), i ordered women's small thru men's 2xl - the (well-known online) company based the logo size on the women's small and used the same sized logo throughout which made the men's large thru 2xl look horrible.

when i complained to the company they said it was standard practice, to use on size, but admitted that they should have probably let me know in advance - they also informed that there was nothing they could do about it, the order was complete and i had taken delivery.

consequently i posted an unflattering review on yelp to warn people of this policy when purchasing tees, and added i should consider myself lucky that i didn't order onesies or the logo would have been even smaller for all of the tees.

two days later the owner of the company responded to my yelp review and also contacted me - he said my salesman didn't know what they were talking about, it was a mistake on their part, that they do adjust logos for different size tees, and if i would send the larger tees back he would replace them with tees that had logos that corresponded to the larger sizes.

flash forward, i recently submitted my tee order (different company) and asked if they would use different size logos for different size tees, or at least a couple of different sized logos, and was told they only use one size logo for all of them, which, they said, was standard practice... hence my original post, trying to figure out if this is the industry norm?

 

hence my original post, trying to figure out if this is the industry norm?

Yes.

Don't assume otherwise unless you've talked to the printer beforehand.

 

We only adjust size on youth and infant shirts. Otherwise it is one size fits all.

 

Ding, ding ,ding!! Correct answer Binki

 

Actually the shirt on the right is the correct one. The other one will not look right when worn.
Peoples body is not flat, and 40% the shirt width will not be visible from the front.
therefore, this type of design has to be 50-60% of the shirts width, maximum.

For some types of designs, you can get away with one or 2 screens
For left chest prints in particular, you only need one size.

Here is an example of a common type design (25.50cm wide) placed on size S to 3XL men's tees.

These are true scale mocups by the way, and as you can see the design looks smaller as the shirt size increases, but the result is not totally unacceptable.
Personally I would use 2 screen sizes for this. One for S-L, and one for XL-3XL
If I had to print 4XL-5XL a would add a third screen.
To be continued...

 

Here is an example of a common type design (25.50cm wide) placed on size S to 3XL men's tees.
View attachment 276183 View attachment 276199 View attachment 276200 View attachment 276201 View attachment 276202 View attachment 276203


These are true scale mocups by the way, and as you can see the design looks smaller as the shirt size increases, but the result is not totally unacceptable.
Personally I would use 2 screen sizes for this. One for S-L, and one for XL-3XL
If I had to print 4XL-5XL a would add a third screen.
To be continued...

see, i find the results very unacceptable when comparing small to 2xl (shown below), or even small vs xl, the impact of the graphic design changes completely imo, even tho it still may be a nice looking graphic, and this is exactly what i've been experiencing... tomorrow i'll tallk the printer how much more it will be to use a second size logo for large thru 2xl...

anyway, great post/replay, thanks very much, it was very helpful!

 

It looks strange on the pc of course. But the logo is the same size in real life. I’m not saying it doesn’t matter and it is definitely better to scale logo through sizes, but here is exaggerated. Try to post two pictures with the same logo but different sizes of t shirt if you know what I mean.

 

yes, that's what i did, same logo different size tees (small vs 2xl) based on @TABOB artwork... here's another example of how differently, size wise, a text logo would look on the back of a tee based on different tee sizes (small thru 2xl)... anyway, it seems clear that i will have to pay for different size logos, rob two different sizes, to avoid this prob...

 

Firstly, yeah, I agree. And thanks for the pics. But it’s not really good example. The person is still the same size. You would have to imagine, that the fourth dude is massive compared to the first one. Again you have visually same size T-shirt and it looks like the logo is smaller. Bigger people have more inches to the sides and the front is bigger but not so prominent. Still yes, the logo is “smaller”, but not by as much as the examples above.

I usually don’t do it because my clients want cheap promotional giveaway T-shirts, but if I would do store sold garments I would definitely do 2-3 sizes. That said I had two clients with baby sizes and big shirts and I did multiple screens for free, because it was horrendous and client wouldn’t understand the additional cost. Bust most of them do.

 

But it’s not really good example. The person is still the same size. You would have to imagine, that the fourth dude is massive compared to the first one.

The models are the same size, but the prints are not and the proportions are accurate. I don't just eyeball them.

I was just talking about this kind of representation

The smaller the design, the less noticeable the difference is.
This is also observable in my example. Look at the 2XL, 3XL and 4XL size shirts.
I've already mentioned this for left chest prints as well. They can all be the same size, regardless of the shirt size.

 

I was just talking about this kind of representation

 

I was just talking about this kind of representation

View attachment 276232

so then like this?

 

Yeah, that’s right. It is visible but not as much as the examples above. And on person it is even more hidden because people are round. But for squared designs as above it is definitely a problem with the same size.

 

In our shop we only use one size logo for the whole job but, I have had some clients that have requested to print a bigger size logo for the larger sizes and for that I always charge extra.

 

Depending on the size or type of design, I would show the customer how it would appear on a small/medium vs how it would look on larger sizes and then let them choose.
I would also give them the option to pay for an additional screen charge at a discounted rate, but they would often decline.
I would say you are safe within a design range of 10" to 11" wide.

 

Hi. Saw your post and felt compelled to respond. When you talk to your customer, ask them what they want - if they want it equally sized on all shirts, then charge a "resizing fee" and make a new screen. If, however, their top priority is to save money, then let them know their will be a difference. We usually print the "adult size" design on everything going from Youth Medium - Adult 3XL. We resize for youth XS, S, and toddler.

Just be upfront about it so that they expect it. That way they appreciate and value your honesty and will recommend you or reorder again. No worries!!

Mary @ Designs from the Hart

 

Here is a solution to make sure you know what size image to print depending on the size of shirt.

A consistent approach is important to insure repeatability in the future. If you need to reprint the job again, you simply follow the system. Or if you have someone else process the orders or if you outsource the job. When you create a new design, be sure to assign a design number to it and also attach a Print Size Group number. This PSG will dictate what size image to apply on a particular size shirt. No more guessing.

Here is how to create a Print Size Group (PSG).

I created this system a long time ago and have stuck with it ever since.

Print Size Groups are established depending on the size & style of the image.

For example:
Group-1: A print that just has the word such as SECURITY across the front. Basically a one liner wide print, but not more than 2-4 inch tall
Group-2: A print that is more of a square and then you can create further Groups for other print styles of different sizes as needed.

I generally use 4 print size groups in which 95% of my designs fit into.

When I first create a new design, I immediately pick and assign a PRINT SIZE GROUP (PSG for short) and apply to it. This clearly establishes up front what print size to print depending on the garment size.

Here is a sample breakdown just for t-shirts. Generally all Adult and Youth size shirts fit into these 3 categories. Occasionally I will add a 4th category if I need to print a different size on a particular size shirt.

Note: The following is an example, feel free to modify to suit your needs and size of print.

Size Category 1 applies to:
Youth Large
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Adult Xlarge
Adult 2XL
Adult 3XL
Ladies Medium thru 2XL

Size Category 2 applies to:
Youth XSmall
Youth Small
Youth Medium
Ladies Small

Size Category 3 applies to:
Adult 4XL
Adult 5XL
Adult 6XL

Next, create a Print Size Group, PSG for short and assign the print sizes to each Category.

For example: PSG-1 will be assigned the following print sizes:
Category 1 = 11 inch wide
Category 2 = 10 inch wide
Category 3 = 12 inch wide

I would assign the above PSG-1 for that SECURITY shirt or something similar.

For something more boxy or squarish, I would use the following Print Size Group:

PSG-2
Category 1 = 10 inch wide
Category 2 = 8 inch wide
Category 3 = 11 inch wide

Again, feel free to modify the print sizes, these are just examples.

As I mentioned before, most of my prints fit into 4 Print Size Groups. But you can create as many as you like and assign them to a new design as appropriate.

IMPORTANT: It is okay to break the rule once in a while. For example: I sometimes find that the Youth XSmall shirt is too tiny for the Category 2 so I create a 4th category (Category-4) and move the Youth XSmall in that 4th category and set a smaller print size for it.

No matter what, it is important to have a system. Even if you have to deviate once in a while. Without a clear system, you cannot grow your business and you or your employees (even if you don't have any helpers now, you will once your business grows) will not be able produce consistent results.

The system is the solution ~ AT&T

Hope this helps,
Nick

 

go big or go home

 

update:

went with a logo (name of a business across the back) size that some may think looks a bit too big on the small tee, but it looks great on all larger sizes, very happy with the results! and, of course, thanks for all of the great responses in this thread, very helpful!