Updated By TeckWrap Craft On February 13, 2024
Vinyl Decal Size Chart: For Shirts, Bags, And Many More
Table of Contents
For the perfect placement of vinyl decals, determining their right size is very important. A decal that is too big or too small ruins the whole look. If you’re trying to figure out the right vinyl decal size for your project, we present to you this comprehensive guide for shirts, bags, and more.
Remember! T-Shirt Sizes May Differ
There are different shirt fits as well — Asian, Regular, Slim, and American sizes. That’s why, for your t-shirt printing project, make sure to check the product sizing. For this, you will have to manually measure a shirt using a ruler or a measuring tape.
Vinyl Decal Size Chart
There are many factors you should take into account when considering the right vinyl decal size. Here are several questions you can ask yourself:
- What is the size of your blank canvas?
- How do you want your design to come out?
- Where do you want to place the vinyl decal? At the back? A logo on the upper left corner? On the sleeve?
- Do you want the whole design to occupy most of the shirt?
- Will you be using another vinyl color within the design?
Once you answer all these questions and know what you want, it’s time to gauge the decal size. This vinyl decal size chart in inches is for the front, and center print of regular-sized shirts.
Kids Shirts Size Guide
If you are designing kids shirts and placing the decal on the front, it should be one inch below the neckline,
| Size Category | Age Group | Vinyl Decal Size |
|---|---|---|
| Onesies for newborn babies | below 6 months | 3x3 inches |
| Infants | 6 to 9 months | 5x5 inches |
| Toddlers | Older than 18 months | 6x6 inches |
| 2 to 3 years old | 5x5 inches |
Decal Size Guide Teen T-Shirt
When designing t-shirts for teenagers using heat transfer vinyl, place the decal 1.5 to 2 inches below the neckline depending on shirt size.
| Shirt Size | Vinyl Decal Size |
|---|---|
| Extra Small | 6.5x6.5 inches |
| Small | 7x7 inches |
| Medium | 7.5x7.5 inches |
| Large | 8x8 inches |
| Extra Large | 8.5 x 8.5 inches |
Decal Size Guide For Adult Shirt
| Shirt Size | Vinyl Decal Size |
|---|---|
| Extra Small | 9×9 inches |
| Small | 9×9 inches |
| Medium | 9×9 inches |
| Large | 11×11 inches |
| Extra Large | 11×11 inches |
| 2XL | 12×12 inches |
Decals On Other Parts Of The Shirts
When designing t-shirts for teenagers using heat transfer vinyl, place the decal 1.5 to 2 inches below the neckline depending on shirt size.
| Shirt Part | Size Guide |
|---|---|
| Pockets | 4×4 inches |
| On the sleeve of the t-shirt | 2.5×14 inches or 2×11 inches |
| Full back design | 11x11 inches |
If you are designing hoodies or sweatshirts, the decal size will be 12×16 inches. For hats, it should be 4.75×2.75 inches.
These recommended vinyl decal sizes are for regular t-shirts or shirts. If you have an Asian-fit shirt, you can make the design a bit smaller, at least 0.5 to 1 inch. For American-size shirts, you can add 1 to 2 inches to the decal size.
General Rule To Remember
One important rule to remember: avoid printing on the whole surface. Make sure the vinyl decal is 3 to 5 inches away from the edges of the blank canvas. You have to remember that edges have stitches, so you can’t print over them. Also, you can’t print till the bottom of the shirt because usually it is tucked in and won't look good.
Vinyl Decal Size Chart For Bags
Where Else Can You Print Heat Transfer Vinyl Decals
Other than t-shirts, there are many different things you can print on using heat transfer vinyl such as:
- Towels
- Laundry bags
- Table cloth linen
- Handkerchief
- Face mask
- Any material made of canvas (tote bags, sneakers, coin purses, pillowcases, etc)
Vinyl Decal Size Tips
- Follow the vinyl decal size of the shirts you already have. This can guide you in the right direction if you have any doubts.
- You can also go to a clothing store with a tape measure and take the dimensions of the vinyl decal of the different shirt sizes available on the rack. Follow what other big clothing brands do, and you’ll do great!
- Visualize the design using your cutting machine’s software. Silhouette or Cricut’s software boasts this feature. You can upload a blank template of a shirt and adjust the sizing according to the shirt size. Then upload the design and place it over the shirt template. Adjust the decal size accordingly. The top and left parts of the screen have measurements in inches, so you’ll be able to visualize properly how the design would look.
- Visualize the vinyl decal size using an old carrier sheet. Place it over your canvas and determine if you need a larger or smaller dimension. Use a ruler or measuring tape to manually measure if you need smaller or bigger sizes for your decal. The old-school way always works best!
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this vinyl decal size chart will help you in designing shirts efficiently. Practice makes perfect when it comes to HTV printing. For premium-quality craft vinyl in many different colors and finishes near you, visit TeckWrap Craft. Happy crafting!
