Getting placement right: Four transfer positions worth knowing

It may sound silly and simple, but simply checking your transfer’s placement before applying could save a lot of hassle and reprints. Andy Rogers, marketing director at Stahls’ UK, has a list of tips to get you positioning right.

You’ve chosen the garment, sorted the artwork, and you’re ready to press. But there’s one last question: Does the design actually look right where you’ve put it?

Even a great logo can look awkward if it sits too low, creeps towards the armpit or disappears beneath a hood. The good news is that a few simple checks can make all the difference.

Here are some practical starting points for four everyday print positions. Keep your tape measure handy, but trust your eye too. Measurements help you find the right area; the garment’s shape, the artwork and how it looks when worn should guide your final decision.

Centred front: Start with the neckline

A centred front print sounds straightforward, but different necklines and garment cuts can change how it looks.

For an adult crew-neck T shirt, try positioning the top of the design around 7.5 to 9 cm below the collar. Approximately 28×28cm is a useful reference for a larger adult design, although there’s no need to fill that space. A neat badge and a wide line of lettering will need different treatment.

Find the centre by folding the shirt lengthways, then use that reference to line up your artwork. Before pressing, check that the garment itself is straight. Comparing the sleeve seams on either side of the platen is a useful check.

Don’t carry the same measurement across every neckline. Some T shirt designs suit a higher position, around 5cm below the neckline, while scoop and V-necks may need the artwork closer still, approximately 2.5cm below. Check the balance on the actual garment and keep neckline seams clear of the pressing area.

Left chest: Watch that sideways drift

Left-chest logos are a favourite for workwear and uniforms, but they can easily wander too far towards the sleeve.

For a typical adult logo, around 9×9cm is a useful size reference. To find the placement area, start approximately 14 to 20cm down from the left shoulder seam and 10 to 15cm across from the garment’s centre. These are starting ranges, so check the position before committing.

Remember, that’s the wearer’s left: Your right when you’re looking at the front of the shirt.

Once the artwork is in place, take a step back and look at the balance. On a polo, favouring a position nearer the buttons can help avoid the dreaded underarm logo.

Check the placement across the sizes in your order, too. What looks right on a small polo may need adjusting on a larger size. Keep buttons and bulky seams away from the pressing surface, using a suitable pad where needed. If you use a pressing pillow, remember to adjust the pressure.

Sleeves: Give the smaller details some thought

A sleeve is a handy place for a secondary logo, a short message or an extra detail that complements the main print.

Around 9×9cm is a useful imprint-area reference for a short sleeve. For a long design on an adult sweatshirt sleeve, approximately 5×29 cm offers a starting point. They’re very different spaces, so choose the artwork to suit each one.

A simpler version of the main logo may work better than trying to squeeze every detail into a smaller area.

For sweatshirt sleeves, find the sleeve centre and use the centre seam as an alignment reference. Make sure the application area is flat, with seams and cuffs kept from interfering with pressure.

It’s also worth checking how the design reads when the arm hangs naturally. Something that looks lovely laid flat can look quite different once it’s being worn.

Hoodie backs: Remember where the hood goes

Before you settle on a back print, lay the hood down. It’s a simple check, but an easy one to miss.

Try starting with the top of the design around 15cm below the neckline, then adjust to suit the hood’s depth and the artwork. The aim is to keep the important parts visible when the hood is resting naturally.

An adult back design might measure approximately 35.5×28.5 cm, but let the available space determine the final size and proportions. Check the whole design, particularly any wording near the top. Moving everything down can solve one problem while leaving the print looking too low, so consider resizing the artwork as well.

Happy with it? Make a note

Once you’ve found the right position, record the measurements, artwork size and garment details. Your next order will thank you.

Finally, follow the transfer’s application instructions and prepare a smooth, dry pressing surface. A few extra moments checking the first garment can help the whole order look its best.

Pic cap: The four places for transfers