Sublimation Size Chart for Shirts (Adult S–XL+)
Exact design widths and collar-drop placement for adult tees — full front, pocket, and back designs — with cm conversions and a worked example.
Sublimation mistakes are permanent — there's no peeling a dye out of polyester — so sizing and placement have to be right before the press closes. This chart is for adult shirts; kids' garments scale differently and get their own chart.
Adult front-design chart
| Shirt size | Design width | Top of design below collar seam |
|---|---|---|
| Adult S | 9.5–10 in (24–25 cm) | 3 in (7.5 cm) |
| Adult M | 10–10.5 in (25–27 cm) | 3–3.5 in |
| Adult L | 10.5–11 in (27–28 cm) | 3.5 in (9 cm) |
| Adult XL | 11–11.5 in (28–29 cm) | 3.5–4 in |
| 2XL–3XL | 11.5–12.5 in (29–32 cm) | 4 in (10 cm) |
Other placements, adult sizes:
- Left-chest / pocket: 3–4 in wide; center it over the pocket area (~4–5 in from center line varies by blank — measure YOUR blank).
- Full back: 10–12 in wide, top edge ~4 in below the collar.
- Oversized/streetwear front: up to 13–14 in on 2XL+ blanks only — check your printable area and paper size first.
Two habits that outrank any chart: center on the wearer's chest, not the fabric fold (side seams aren't always symmetric), and press one test shirt per new blank style — a chart can't know your specific garment's cut.
Worked example: one design, S-through-XL run
You're pressing a 4500x3600 px logo (a 5:4 landscape shape) on a mixed order: 2 S, 3 M, 4 L, 3 XL.
- Print widths from the chart: S at 10 in, M at 10.5, L at 11, XL at 11.5. Heights follow the ratio automatically: 8 / 8.4 / 8.8 / 9.2 in.
- DPI check at the largest: 4500 px ÷ 11.5 in = 391 DPI — comfortably above 300, no quality tradeoffs (DPI bands here).
- Gang the print layout: two 10-in prints fit side-by-side on 13x19 paper; the 11+ inch prints go one per sheet.
- Placement: S/M pressed with the top edge 3 in below collar, L at 3.5, XL at 4. Tape a T-square ruler or use a placement guide so all twelve shirts match — a customer holding two shirts from the same order notices a half-inch difference.
The Sublimation Size Guide tool draws this for you: pick garment and design style, get inches + cm and an on-garment visual preview you can screenshot into your production notes, plus a printable placement ruler.
Common sizing errors (from real misprints)
- Sizing by paper, not chart: "it fit on A4 so I pressed A4" gives a ~8-in design on an XL — looks like a postage stamp.
- Same size across S–XL: a 12-in design that's bold on XL swallows a Small.
- Forgetting the neckline style: V-necks and scoops need the design ~1 in lower than crew necks to keep visual balance.
- Mug logic on shirts: wrap dimensions are a different world — see the mug press size guide.
Sublimation Size Guide
Exact design sizes and placement for tees, totes, mugs and tumblers — with a visual preview and printable placement guide.