DTF Transfer Size Chart: T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweatshirts & Onesies

When creating custom apparel with Direct-to-Film (DTF) transfers, knowing the right print size and placement makes all the difference.

We’ve compiled an easy-to-follow DTF transfer size chart for T-shirts, youth shirts, toddler shirts, and baby onesies. Whether you’re pressing at home or producing in bulk, these recommended DTF transfer dimensions help ensure your design fits and looks professional.

Each table shows Size plus columns for each placement. Values are Max Width × Max Height (in).

Adult T-Shirt

Standard unisex tees; ideal for everyday prints and merch.

Adult T-Shirt — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
XS9.5" × 12.5"9.5" × 12.5"9" × 3"9.5" × 8"3" × 3"2.75" × 3.5"3.5" × 15"2" × 2"
S10" × 13"10" × 13"10" × 3"10" × 8"3" × 3"3" × 3.75"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
M10" × 13"10" × 13"11" × 3.5"10" × 8"4" × 4"3.25" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
L11" × 14"11" × 14"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.5" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
XL11" × 14"11" × 14"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.75" × 4.25"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
2XL12" × 15"12" × 15"13" × 4"12" × 8"4" × 4"4" × 4.5"3.5" × 16"2.75" × 2.75"
3XL12" × 15"12" × 15"13" × 4"12" × 8"4" × 4"4.25" × 4.75"3.5" × 16"3" × 3"
4XL12.5" × 15.5"12.5" × 15.5"14" × 4"12.5" × 8"4" × 4"4.5" × 5"3.5" × 17"3" × 3"

Adult Hoodie

Account for pocket and hood drop; place designs slightly higher.

Adult Hoodie — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
S10" × 12"10" × 12"10" × 3"10" × 8"3" × 3"3" × 3.75"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
M10" × 12"10" × 12"11" × 3.5"10" × 8"4" × 4"3.25" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
L11" × 13"11" × 13"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.5" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
XL11" × 13"11" × 13"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.75" × 4.25"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
2XL12" × 14"12" × 14"13" × 4"12" × 8"4" × 4"4" × 4.5"3.5" × 16"2.75" × 2.75"

Adult Sweatshirt

Fleece crews with generous printable area; steady heat favored.

Adult Sweatshirt — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
XS9.5" × 12.5"9.5" × 12.5"9" × 3"9.5" × 8"3" × 3"2.75" × 3.5"3.5" × 15"2" × 2"
S10" × 13"10" × 13"10" × 3"10" × 8"3" × 3"3" × 3.75"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
M10" × 13"10" × 13"11" × 3.5"10" × 8"4" × 4"3.25" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.25" × 2.25"
L11" × 14"11" × 14"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.5" × 4"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
XL11" × 14"11" × 14"12" × 4"11" × 8"4" × 4"3.75" × 4.25"3.5" × 15"2.5" × 2.5"
2XL12" × 15"12" × 15"13" × 4"12" × 8"4" × 4"4" × 4.5"3.5" × 16"2.75" × 2.75"
3XL12" × 15"12" × 15"13" × 4"12" × 8"4" × 4"4.25" × 4.75"3.5" × 16"3" × 3"
4XL12.5" × 15.5"12.5" × 15.5"14" × 4"12.5" × 8"4" × 4"4.5" × 5"3.5" × 17"3" × 3"

Youth T-Shirt / Sweatshirt / Hoodie

Scaled for school spirit wear and youth teams; keep proportions balanced.

Youth — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
S8" × 11"8" × 11"9" × 3"8" × 6"3" × 3"2.5" × 3.25"3" × 12"2" × 2"
M8" × 11"8" × 11"10" × 3"8" × 6"3" × 3"2.75" × 3.5"3" × 12"2.25" × 2.25"
L8.5" × 11.5"8.5" × 11.5"10.5" × 3.5"8.5" × 6"4" × 4"3" × 3.75"3" × 13"2.5" × 2.5"
XL8.5" × 11.5"8.5" × 11.5"11" × 3.5"8.5" × 6"4" × 4"3.25" × 4"3.25" × 13"2.5" × 2.5"

Toddler T-Shirt / Sweatshirt

Boutique toddler apparel; reduce size for small garment widths.

Toddler — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
2T7" × 9"7" × 9"7" × 2.5"6" × 5"3" × 3"2" × 2.75"2" × 8"1.75" × 1.75"
3T7" × 9"7" × 9"7" × 2.5"6" × 5"3" × 3"2.25" × 3"2.25" × 8.5"2" × 2"
4T7.5" × 9.5"7.5" × 9.5"7.5" × 3"6.5" × 5"3" × 3"2.5" × 3.25"2.5" × 9"2" × 2"
5T7.5" × 9.5"7.5" × 9.5"7.5" × 3"6.5" × 5"3" × 3"2.75" × 3.5"2.75" × 9.5"2.25" × 2.25"

Baby Onesie

Perfect for newborn announcements and personalized gifts.

Baby Onesie — Size · Full Front · Full Back · Center Back · Front Chest · Left Chest · Sleeve (Short) · Sleeve (Long) · Back Collar
Size Full Front Full Back Center Back Front Chest Left Chest Sleeve (Short) Sleeve (Long) Back Collar
Newborn5" × 7"5" × 7"5" × 2"4" × 4"2.5" × 2.5"1.75" × 2.25"1.75" × 6"1.5" × 1.5"
3–6M6" × 8"6" × 8"6" × 2"4" × 4"2.5" × 2.5"2" × 2.5"2" × 6.5"1.75" × 1.75"
6–12M6.5" × 8.5"6.5" × 8.5"6.5" × 2"4" × 4"2.5" × 2.5"2.25" × 2.75"2.25" × 7"1.75" × 1.75"
12–18M7" × 9"7" × 9"7" × 2"4" × 4"2.5" × 2.5"2.5" × 3"2.5" × 7.5"2" × 2"

Sizing Tips for Best DTF Results

  • Measure between seams; adjust down for slim or women’s cuts.
  • For hoodies, raise the design to clear the pocket and hood drop.
  • Use a center-finder/ruler for consistent placement on every press.
  • Print a paper template to preview size on the garment before pressing.

How to Measure and Choose the Right DTF Transfer Size

Accurate sizing keeps designs proportional and professional across garments. Use the max width/height from the charts above, then fine-tune based on garment cut and customer preference.

1) Confirm the Printable Area

Measure the space between left/right seams and from collar to pocket/hem. Keep at least 0.5–1 in (1.2–2.5 cm) clearance from seams for smooth pressing and better durability.

2) Paper Mockup Test

Print your artwork outline on plain paper at 100% scale, cut it out, and place it on the garment. This quick check validates visual proportion before you press a transfer.

3) Align and Center Consistently

Fold the garment vertically to find center and lightly crease, or use a center-finder ruler. For hoodies, raise the design slightly to clear the pocket and hood drop.

Placement and Alignment Best Practices

Adult & Youth Center Chest

Position the top of the design about 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) below the collar for T-shirts and sweatshirts. For youth or smaller sizes, reduce by ~0.5 in (1.2 cm).

Sleeves, Wrists, and Vertical Prints

Use the sleeve seam as a reference. Keep wrist icons under 2 in wide for comfort and mobility; long sleeve prints may run up to 15 in vertically depending on size.

Back Prints and Neck Labels

Upper-back graphics sit between shoulder blades; tagless logos at the back collar work best around 1.5–3 in depending on garment size.

Pro Tips for Scaling DTF Transfers

Scale Up for 2XL+ Garments

Increase width by 0.5–1 in for oversized and 2XL–4XL garments, keeping height proportional to avoid distortion.

Women’s/Fitted Cuts

Reduce the width by ~0.5 in from the adult unisex spec for a balanced look on tapered silhouettes.

Gang Sheets and Small Logos

When nesting multiple logos on a gang sheet, leave at least 0.25 in (6 mm) spacing between designs for clean trimming and handling.

Need to batch multiple designs? Try our DTF Gang Sheet Builder to upload, arrange, and scale efficiently.

DTF Sizing FAQ

1. What’s the best DTF size for an adult full-front print?

Use up to 12 × 14 in for most unisex tees and fleece. Adjust slightly for garment cut and size.

2. Should I scale designs for 2XL and larger?

Yes. Increase width by 0.5–1 in to keep proportions balanced on bigger garments.

3. How do I size for women’s fitted shirts?

Reduce the recommended width by ~0.5 in and confirm with a paper mockup on the exact garment.

4. What about youth sizes by age range?

Stay within 9 × 12 in for full fronts. For smaller youth (YS–YM), consider 8–9 in width depending on style.

5. How big should baby onesie prints be?

Keep full-front around 5 × 7 in and chest logos near 4 × 4 in for better readability and comfort.

6. Hoodie pockets and hood—how do they affect placement?

Place the design slightly higher and limit chest width to ~11 in to clear the pocket and hood drop.

7. Quick way to center a design?

Fold the shirt vertically and lightly crease, align the print’s centerline to the crease, or use a heat-press center-finder ruler.

8. Can I put multiple small logos on one sheet?

Yes—use a gang sheet. Leave 0.25 in between designs for trimming and handling.

9. My art exceeds max width—what now?

Consider printing on the back for more vertical room, splitting into stacked elements, or reducing size while preserving key details.

10. Minimum line weight and small text limits?

Aim for ≥0.02–0.03 in (≈1.5–2 px at print size) for strokes; avoid micro text below 8–10 pt equivalent.

11. What DPI should I export at?

Export at 300 DPI at final print size, in RGB, with a transparent background (PNG recommended).

12. Best way to store transfers before pressing?

Keep sheets flat in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and high humidity; avoid bending or dust.