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Embroidery Placement Guide
Whether you're embroidering a t-shirt, towel, bag, baby item or home décor project, knowing where to position your design can make all the difference. This guide provides recommended embroidery placement and design size guidelines for a wide range of common items, helping you achieve balanced, professional-looking results.
- Measurements are intended as a general starting point only. Adjust them to suit your design, project and personal style.
- Placement and design size may vary depending on gender, garment style, size, fit and the wearer's personal preference.
- Some placements may require speciality hoops, floating techniques or free-arm embroidery machines.
- We recommend testing the placement with a printed template before embroidering.
Embroidery Placement Reference Charts
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
T-Shirt (No Pocket): Left Chest
Design Size: 70-100mm (2.75"-4") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below shoulder seam and 10-15cm (4"-6") from centre.
Tip: A popular placement for small designs and logos.
T-Shirt (No Pocket): Centre Front
Design Size: 180-280mm (7"-11") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") below neckline.
Tip: Great for larger statement designs.
T-Shirt (With Pocket): Above Pocket
Design Size: 60-90mm (2.5"-3.5") wide
Placement: 2-5cm (0.75"-2") above the pocket opening and centred horizontally.
Tip: Avoid stitching the pocket opening shut.
Collared Shirt (No Pocket)
Design Size: 70-100mm (2.75"-4") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below shoulder seam
Tip: Centre between the placket and sleeve seam.
Collared Shirt (With Pocket)
Design Size: 60-90mm (2.5"-3.5") wide
Placement: Centred 2-5cm (0.75"-2") above pocket
Tip: Pockets can limit your design space.
Collared Shirt - Upper Back
Design Size: 200-300mm (8"-12") wide
Placement: 13-15.5cm (5"-6") below collar
Tip: Great for business branding and team names.
Shirt Cuff (Monogram)
Design Size: 20-40mm (0.75"-1.5") high
Placement: 2-3.5cm (0.75"-1.38") in from the buttonhole edge and 5mm (0.2") above the cuff edge
Tip: Monograms traditionally face away from the wearer.
Polo/Golf Shirt
Design Size: 70-100mm (2.75"-4") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below shoulder seam
Tip: A classic placement for names and logos.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedSleeve Frame Required
Polo/Golf Shirt Sleeve
Design Size: 60-100mm (2.5"-4") wide
Placement: 25-50mm (1"-2") above the sleeve hem on the outer sleeve
Tip: Small designs, names and logos work best.
Jacket - Yoke
Design Size: 120-220mm (4.75"-8.75") wide
Placement: Centred within the yoke panel or 2.5-5cm (1"-2") below the collar seam
Tip: Great for names and smaller decorative designs.
Jacket - Full Back
Design Size: 250-350mm (10"-14") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") below the yoke seam (or 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below the shoulder seam if no yoke) and centred between the side seams
Tip: Great for larger decorative designs and statement embroidery.
Jumper/Hoodie (No Zip, No Pocket)
Design Size: 180-280mm (7"-11") wide
Placement: 18-25cm (7"-10") below neckline, centred on the chest
Tip: Popular for fashion designs.
Jumper/Hoodie (No Zip, Pocket)
Design Size: 120-220mm (4.75"-8.75") wide
Placement: 18-25cm (7"-10") below the neckline, centred above the kangaroo pocket
Tip: Avoid pocket seams.
Jumper/Hoodie (With Zip)
Design Size: 70-100mm (2.75"-4") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below the shoulder seam, centred between the zipper and side seam
Tip: Avoid the zipper path.
Jumper/Hoodie (Back)
Design Size: 220-350mm (8.75"-14") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below the base of the hood, centred between the side seams
Tip: Popular for teams, clubs and large decorative designs.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Track Pants - Upper Thigh
Design Size: 60-120mm (2.5"-4.75") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") below the pocket opening
Tip: Avoid pocket seams. Popular for workwear and sportswear branding.
Sports Shorts
Design Size: 50-100mm (2"-4") wide
Placement: 25-50mm (1"-2") above the leg hem
Tip: Small designs work best.
Button-Up Pyjama Top (With Pocket)
Design Size: 60-90mm (2.5"-3.5") wide
Placement: Centred 2-5cm (0.75"-2") above pocket.
Tip: Monograms and names are popular.
Robe - Left Chest
Design Size: 80-120mm (3"-4.75") wide
Placement: 10.5-15.5cm (4"-6") below shoulder seam
Tip: Monograms are common.
Robe - Back
Design Size: 250-350mm (10"-14") wide
Placement: 18.5-23.5cm (7"-9") below shoulder seam, centred between side seams
Tip: Large decorative designs are common.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Kids T-Shirt - Left Chest
Design Size: 50-80mm (2"-3") wide
Placement: 9-11.5cm (3.5"-4.5") below shoulder seam and 3-5cm (1.25"-2") from centre front
Tip: Scale designs proportionally for smaller garments.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Kids T-Shirt - Centre Front
Design Size: 120-180mm (4.75"-7") wide
Placement: 4-8cm (1.5"-3") below neckline
Tip: Great for fun and character designs.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Kids Hoodie/Jumper - Centre Chest
Design Size: 120-180mm (4.75"-7") wide
Placement: 4-8cm (1.5"-3") below neckline
Tip: Avoid overly dense embroidery.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Kids Hoodie/Jumper - Upper Back
Design Size: 150-250mm (6"-10") wide
Placement: 13-18cm (5"-7") below neckline, centred between side seams
Tip: Large decorative designs work best.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedCompact Frame Set Required
Onesie/Romper
Design Size: 60-100mm (2.5"-4") wide
Placement: 6-10cm (2.5"-4") below the neckline, centred between the side seams
Tip: Keep designs soft and flexible for baby items.
Bib
Design Size: 50-90mm (2"-3.5") wide
Placement: Approx. 3cm (1") above bottom edge
Tip: Keep clear of the neckline curve.
Lovey/Comforter
Design Size: 50-100mm (2"-4") wide
Placement: Position near the corner, angled diagonally
Tip: Keep designs soft and flexible.
Baby Blanket
Design Size: 50-120mm (2"-4.75") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") from both corner edges
Tip: Corner embroidery is commonly angled diagonally.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Embroider Buddies
Design Size: Up to 100mm x 100mm (4" x 4")
Placement: Centre belly panel
Tip: Keep designs nicely centred on the tummy panel.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedSock Frame Required
Socks
Design Size: 30-60mm (1"-2.5") wide
Placement: 25-50mm (1"-2") below the sock cuff on the outer ankle area
Tip: Small simple designs work best here.
Tie
Design Size: 30-60mm (1"-2.5") wide
Placement: 4-8cm (1.5"-3") above the bottom point
Tip: Small monograms and initials work best.
Scarf
Design Size: 50-100mm (2"-4") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") from the end of the scarf, centred within the width
Tip: One or both ends work well.
Handkerchief
Design Size: 20-50mm (0.75"-2") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") from the edges and angled diagonally
Tip: Monograms are especially popular here.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Cap Frame Required
Cap Frame Required
Cap (Front)
Design Size: 100-130mm (4"-5") wide x 50-60mm (2"-2.5") high
Placement: Centred over the front seam, 5-15mm (0.25"-0.5") above the brim seam
Tip: A speciality hoop may help here.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Cap Frame Required
Cap Frame Required
Cap (Back)
Design Size: 50-90mm (2"-3.5") wide
Placement: Centred above the rear opening, 10-25mm (0.5"-1") above the arch
Tip: Small names and text work best here.
Beanie
Design Size: 50-100mm (2"-4") wide
Placement: Centred on the folded cuff, 25-50mm (1"-2") above the bottom edge
Tip: Stretch fabrics can shift while stitching.
Apron - Chest Centre
Design Size: 100-180mm (4"-7") wide
Placement: 10.5-15.5cm (4"-6") below the top edge, centred between the side edges
Tip: Best for aprons without a front pocket.
Free-Arm Machine Recommended
Apron - Front Pocket
Design Size: 80-150mm (3"-6") wide
Placement: Centred horizontally and vertically on the pocket
Tip: Avoid stitching the pocket opening shut.
Face Washers - Centred
Design Size: 30-60mm (1"-2.5") wide
Placement: 3-4.5cm (1"-1.5") above hem, centred between side edges
Tip: A classic placement for names and decorative designs.
Face Washers - Corner
Design Size: 20-50mm (0.75"-2") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") from both corner edges, angled diagonally
Tip:Monograms and initials work beautifully here.
Hand Towels
Design Size: 80-120mm (3"-4.75") wide
Placement: 4.5-5.5cm (1.5"-2") above the decorative border
Tip: Keep clear of decorative towel borders.
Bath Towels
Design Size: 100-180mm (4"-7") wide
Placement: Approx. 10.5cm (4") above hem
Tip: Avoid stitching directly on decorative borders.
Bath Sheets
Design Size: 120-220mm (4.75"-8.75") wide
Placement: Approx. 13cm (5") above hem
Tip: Larger monograms work well on bath sheets.
Sheets
Design Size: 100-250mm (4"-10") wide
Placement: 5.5cm (2") above the top hem, centred between side seams
Tip: Top sheets are folded back over the blanket when the bed is made. Embroider the design upside down if needed so it reads correctly when the sheet is turned over.
Pillowcase (With Cuff)
Design Size: 80-150mm (3"-6") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") from the open edge and centred vertically within the cuff
Tip: Monograms and decorative designs work beautifully here.
Pillowcase (No Cuff)
Design Size: 60-120mm (2.5"-4.75") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") from the open edge and side edge
Tip: Keep designs clear of bulky seams.
Napkins
Design Size: 20-50mm (0.75"-2") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") from both corner edges, angled diagonally
Tip: Monograms and initials are always popular.
Placemat
Design Size: 50-120mm (2"-4.75") wide
Placement: 2.5-5cm (1"-2") from the corner edges
Tip: Corner monograms work especially well.
Tote Bags
Design Size: 120-180mm (4.75"-7") wide
Placement: 8-12cm (3"-5") below the top edge, centred between side seams
Tip: Check handles before hooping.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedRobot Frame Required
Backpacks/School Bags - Front Pocket
Design Size: 80-150mm (3"-6") wide
Placement: Centred on the front pocket
Tip: Watch out for zippers and bulky seams.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedRobot Frame Required
Backpacks/School Bags - Above Pocket
Design Size: 100-180mm (4"-7") wide
Placement: 5-10cm (2"-4") above the front pocket, centred between side seams
Tip: Great for larger names and logos.
Free-Arm Machine RecommendedRobot Frame Recommended
Gym Bags/Duffle Bags
Design Size: 100-180mm (4"-7") wide
Placement: Vertically and horizontally centred within the side panel
Tip: Handles and straps can make hooping tricky.
General Placement Notes
- Measurements are approximate starting points only.
- Always consider garment size, seams, zippers, pockets and fabric stretch.
- Test placement using paper templates before embroidering.
- Larger garments generally suit slightly larger embroidery.
- Avoid placing embroidery too close to bulky seams or collars.
- Cap embroidery requires suitable cap frames and digitising considerations.
- Stretch fabrics and towels may require stabiliser adjustments.
