How to Put Your Logo on a Shirt: Methods, File Types, and Legal Basics

Yes, you can put a logo on a shirt, and the process is simpler than most people expect once you know the three methods, the file requirements, and the one legal line that trips up new business owners. Here is the full walkthrough, starting with what "putting a logo on a shirt" is technically called and ending with the honest answer on whose logo you are actually allowed to use.

The Three Ways a Logo Gets on a Shirt

• Screen printing. Ink is applied through a stencil layer by layer. Best for bold, simple logos on tees and sweatshirts.
• Direct-to-garment printing. Ink is printed straight onto the fabric like an inkjet printer, which handles gradients and photo-style detail well.
• Embroidery. Thread is stitched directly into the fabric. Best for hats and polos where durability and a premium look matter more than fine detail.

You do not need to pick the method yourself. Each product in the catalog is already set up with the decoration method that fits it best.

What File Format and Size Your Logo Needs

A transparent PNG at a high resolution (at least 1000 pixels on the longest side) covers the vast majority of products cleanly. A vector file (AI, EPS, or SVG) is a nice-to-have for very large placements like a full-back print, since it scales without losing sharpness, but it is not a requirement to get started. There is no fixed dimension your logo has to match ahead of time. Upload it and the design tool positions and sizes it to the placement you pick.

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Where to Place the Logo

Placement	Best for
Left chest (small)	Polos, button-downs, subtle branding
Full front (center)	Tees, hoodies, maximum visibility
Full back	Team names, taglines, large graphics
Sleeve	Small callouts, taglines, secondary marks

Front and back on the same shirt is common and does not add a setup fee. Most business shops use a small chest logo plus a larger back graphic.

Can You Put Any Logo on a Shirt? The Legal Basics

Your own logo, whether registered as a trademark or not, is yours to print freely. The line to watch is printing a well-known brand's registered logo, like a major athletic or sports brand mark, on shirts you plan to sell or hand out as a business. That generally requires a license or permission from the trademark holder, and printing it without one carries real legal risk. This is general information, not legal advice, so if you are unsure whether a specific mark is safe to use, check with an attorney or stick to a logo you own the rights to.

From File to Finished Shirt in a Pro Shop

Once your logo is uploaded, the free and Self-Service VIP plans let you place it on any product yourself and preview the mockup instantly. On the Done-For-You VIP plan, you send one logo a month and the Pro Shop team applies it across 15 trending products, creates front and back mockups on every color variant, and picks the top 6 colors per item for you. Either way, the order ships in about a week once someone buys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a limit on how many colors my logo can have?

No. Multi-color logos print and embroider at the same base price as single-color ones.

Do I need a vector file to get started?

No. A high-resolution transparent PNG works for most placements. Vector files help most on very large print areas.

What is it actually called when you put a logo on a shirt?

Depending on the method, it is called screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, or embroidery. All three fall under the general term apparel decoration.

Can I trademark my own logo before selling merch with it?

That is a separate legal step some businesses choose to take, usually through a trademark attorney or a filing service. It is not required to print or sell apparel with your logo.