Embroidery Placement Charts

Hooping Tip:  Mark centers on all 4 sides of your hoop with fine-line permanent marker.   Draw lines on the wrong side of fabric.  Fold on the lines.  Press fabric into place on hooped hydrostick backing, lining up to center marks, unfold, and smooth into place.  

Hydrostick placement idea:  
Mirror image your design, and print out a template on the back (non-adhesive side) of your hydrostick, instead of on paper. (Undo the mirror image before you save or send the image to your embroidery machine.)   Hoop your hydrostick, lining up the printed template marks with your hoop.  If you lay your hoop on a light colored background, and you can see through the hydrostick, and see where the design will fit on your item.  Wet the hydrostick, and adhere your item to it.  This method is especially helpful for embroidering ribbons or other small items, or items where exact placement is necessary.  You could also print your templates onto regular tearaway. 

Embroidery Placement Chart for Shirts

Item

Placement

Other Considerations

Shirt with no pocket 
Left chest or right chest position

 Draw line straight down from where shoulder seam meets collar seam.  

Find center of armholes, from armpit to shoulder, and draw line straight across. If you place this line too low, the design may go across a woman's breast area.  

As an alternative, you can draw a horizontal line at the level of the second button or snap.

On a V-neck shirt, you can draw a horizontal line even with the bottom of the V.

Center of design should go where lines intersect.  

If you're only putting embroidery on one side, then the name and/or logo should go on the left chest position.  If you're putting the person's name and logo on two sides, the name should go on the right, and the logo should go on the left.  Rationale:  When you shake hands, your eye naturally falls to the other person's right shoulder/chest area, so if their name is on the right, you're more likely to remember it.

Monograms should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall.  

Shirt with pocket 
Left chest or right chest position
Center design over pocket for your left to right measurement.  Bottom of design should be 1/4 inch above pocket.  

If your design is a pocket-topper, you should center your design with the pocket, and get it a close to the pocket as you can, especially if the design is intended to look as if it's coming out of the pocket.  If needed, pull the pocket back a little and fasten it out of the way with tape.

If the pocket is crooked, then line the design up with the pocket, and chances are that nobody will even notice.  Otherwise, it will look as if you put your design on crooked.  

The design or lettering should never be wider than the pocket, which is usually about 4 inches.

Monograms should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall.  

T-shirt or Sweatshirt

Center Front

Small Design

Center the design from left to right.

Place top of design 1-2 inches below neckline for toddlers.  Designs on adult shirts should be 3-4 inches down from neckline.

Try to avoid placing the center of the design on top of the cleavage area for ladies shirts.  Move it higher if necessary, without touching  collar or crew neck ribbing.  
T-shirt or Sweatshirt


Center Front

Full Front Design

Center the design from left to right.

Place top of design 2-4 inches down from the neckline.  

Bottom of design shouldn't go below the armpit, but on a very large design, it should be high enough so it won't be hidden if shirt is tucked in.  
Ladies Sweater,  Jacket, Dress, or 2 piece outfit with irregularly placed large design. Large irregularly placed designs usually follow a diagonal or large gentle S curve or C curve.  Frequently, the design will start at the right shoulder, come across the bodice, ending at the left waist, or curving at center of the bodice and ending at the left waist.  The design may also curve at the waist, and come back across the top of the pants or skirt.  Embroidery sewn on one side, placed off center, and carried down the leg, creates a vertical line.   The embroidery should be placed so it enhances the shape of the garment, flatters the wearer, and doesn't get in the way of movement.  
Shirt
Center Back
Center the design from left to right.  

Center top to bottom with the middle of the armholes, from shoulder seam to armpit.  

Design should be placed lower on sweatshirts with hoods.

Back designs look best when placed between the shoulder blades, but it's okay for design to go below armpits.
Collar point Bottom of monogram should be 1/4 inch above the top of the buttonhole.   Monograms should be 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch high.  The collar may need to be removed and replaced.  
Turtle Neck Collars Halfway between the center neck front and the left shoulder seam.  The bottom of the design should be 1/2 to 3/4 inch above the edge.   Should be 1/4 to 1 inch tall, depending on size of collar.  Follow the direction of the edge, don't try to turn at an angle so it's straight when you're looking at it.  
Shirt Placket Centered between 2nd and 3rd buttonholes. Should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch tall.  
Shirt Pocket

For designs that are on the pocket itself

Top of monogram or name should be 1/4" to 1/2" from the top edge of the pocket, and centered between the left and right edges of the pocket. 

Alternatively, if the pocket isn't attached, you can put a crest or other design on the center of the pocket, then attach it to the shirt.

Monograms should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch tall.  
Shirt Sleeves
Short Sleeves
Place 1/4 to 1/2 inch above hem stitching on edge of sleeve.  Center design directly opposite the underarm seam. Monograms should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch tall.  
Shirt Cuffs
Long Sleeves
Fold cuff in half, starting with button at one side, and buttonhole on the other side.  Edge of monogram should be 1 inch from the center of cuff, towards the buttonhole.  (Center of monogram should be 1 3/8 inches from the center).  The bottom of the monogram should be 1/4 inch above the stitching at the bottom edge of the cuff. Monogram lettering should be 1/4 to 3/8 inch tall.  
Shirt Euro Tail 
(Front Bottom)
Bottom of design should be 1 1/2 inch above stitching for lower shirt hem.  Center of design should be 2/3rds of the way from the center front to the outside left edge (approximately 7 inches from center).   Lettering should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall.  
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

Embroidery Placement Guide for Coats, Jackets, and Robes
Item Placement Other Considerations
 Coat Lining Approximately waist level, on the right side of the coat lining, 3 inches from where the lining is attached to the outer material, near the front edge.  

Alternatively, it should be centered below the inside pocket, or in a straight line down from where the shoulder seam meets the collar.    

The monogram or design should be at waist level on the right side, no matter what the length of the coat is.
Jacket
Left chest or right chest position

 Draw line straight down from where shoulder seam meets collar seam.  

Find center of armholes, from armpit to shoulder, and draw line straight across.

As an alternative, you can draw a horizontal line at the level of the second button or snap.

Center of design should go where lines intersect.  

 

If you're only putting embroidery on one side, then the name and/or logo should go on the left chest position.  If you're putting the person's name and logo on two sides, the name should go on the right, and the logo should go on the left.  Rationale:  When you shake hands, your eye naturally falls to the other person's right shoulder/chest area, so that's the side where their name should be.
Jacket Back Center design from left to right.

Top of design should be 2-3 inches below bottom of collar, or 4-5 inches down from base of neck.  

Design should be placed lower on jackets with hoods, or for wearers with long hair.

Center of design should be 6-8 inches below bottom of collar, typically centered between shoulder blades.  Okay for design to go below armpits.
Robes

 Draw line straight down from where shoulder seam meets collar seam.  

Find center of armholes, from armpit to shoulder, and draw line straight across.

As an alternative, you can draw a horizontal line at the level of the second button or snap.

Center of design should go where lines intersect.  

 
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

Embroidery Placement Chart for Miscellaneous Clothes
Item Placement Other Considerations
Shorts Leg Mark the center front of the left leg.  Mark the point that's halfway between your first mark and the side seam.  That second mark should be the center of your design.  The bottom of the design should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the hem stitching on the lower edge of the shorts.     
Pants Leg The design should be on the left leg at the crotch level, and centered between the side seam and the inseam.  

Alternatively, the right edge of the design can be 2 inches from the side seam, at the crotch level.

 
Capri Pants Encircle cuff or go partway up the outside seam.   Usually only done on one leg, but may be done on both legs if desired.  Use the same design on a coordinating shirt.  
Pajamas

 Draw line straight down from where shoulder seam meets collar seam.  

Find center of armholes, from armpit to shoulder, and draw line straight across. If you place this line too low, the design may go across a woman's breast area.  

As an alternative, you can draw a horizontal line at the level of the second button or snap.

On a V-neck shirt, you can draw a horizontal line even with the bottom of the V.

Center of design should go where lines intersect.  

 
Skirts Place designs along the hemline, with bottom of the designs 1/2 to 1  inch above the hemmed edge.   Print out designs before embroidering, and place them around skirt to figure out equal distances between designs.  Use a similar distance between bottom of design and edge of fabric, to make placement appear more logical.  If distance between designs is greater than 3-4 inches, then it won't look very good to have the designs that far above the edge of the hem, so forget this idea, and just put them 1/2 to 1 inch above hemline.  
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

Embroidery Placement for Clothing Accessories
Item Placement Special Considerations
Aprons Center of the bib, 4 inches down from the top edge.  
Bibs - Adult Centered on the bib.  

May also place design centered from left to right, but closer to the lower edge of the bib.  

 
Bibs - Baby Centered on the bib.  
Hair Ribbons Near the ends of the ribbon. Hoop tearaway hydrostick backing, and stick ribbons down onto it.
Handkerchiefs 1 1/2 inches from corner point, sewn at a 45 degree angle. Monogram should face the point, not the center of the handkerchief.  
Hats Place anywhere on back, front, or sides.  
Gloves Hold the gloves so the wrist is on top, and the fingers are on bottom, with the palm facing down.  In this position, the top of the monogram should be next to the top edge, just below the wrist edge, about 1/4  to 1/2 inch.  The design should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the outside seam which is next to the pinky finger.    
Mufflers and long rectangular scarves Place design centered at one end of muffler or scarf, above the hem on short edge.   The distance from the edge should be equal to 1/4th of the width of the scarf.  For example, if the scarf is 4 inches wide, then the bottom of the design should be 1 inch above the edge.  
Scarves  Place in corner of square scarf, 1-2 inches above point. Do not put on point that has tag or label. 
Shoe Laces Near the ends of the shoe laces. Hoop tearaway hydrostick, and place shoe laces onto it.
Socks Design should be centered on the top half of cuff, right side up after cuff is folded down, on the outside of the leg.  Design should be 1/4 to 1 inch tall.
Stethoscope Covers Design should be centered between ends of tube styled cover, or on the lower portion of Y shaped cover.

Name can be placed on upper arms of Y shaped cover.

Design or monogram may be placed either horizontal or vertical.
Ties Design should be centered 2" to 2 1/2" up from the bottom point, and centered on the front of the tie.

If worn with a vest, the design should be centered 9 to 11 inches above the bottom point. 

Monograms should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch tall. 
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

Embroidery Placement for Religious Items
Item Placement Other Considerations
Robe Collars Centered on collar, halfway between the neck edge and the point in the center, or the lower straight edge. 
May also be placed on the left collar, halfway between the center and the left edge.
Designs are usually 2-4 inches tall. 
Robe Fronts The center front portion of the robe has a velvet facing which may be decorated, with matching designs directly across from each other, at the mid-chest level. Designs are usually 3-5 inches tall. 
Robe Scarves Placed either on left side of scarf only, or with matching designs on both sides of scarf, directly across from each other.  Designs or lettering are usually at upper to mid chest level, but may also be placed near ends of scarf.  Scarf designs usually run vertically, including monograms.  Designs and letters are usually 3-5 inches tall. 
Robe Tunics
(Goes over robe, and is floor length)
Centered over front chest area. Designs are usually 4-7 inches tall.
Bible Bookmarks
For large pulpit Bibles.
Place cross or other design centered at one end of the bookmark, facing the point at the end. Size of design should be 1/4th to 1/3rd the width of the bookmark. 
Communion Table Scarves Place cross or other design centered at each end of table scarf, on the part that hangs over the end of the table.  Center from side to side, facing the short end.  Size of design should be 1/4th to 1/3rd the width of the scarf. 
Pulpit Covers Place cross or other design centered above the point, on the part that hangs over the front side of the pulpit.  Size of design should be 1/4th to 1/3rd the width of the pulpit cover. 
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

Embroidery Placement Chart for Miscellaneous Items
Item Placement Other Considerations
Bath Sheets
Beach Towels
Bottom of monogram should be 5 inches above hem or 2-3 inches above border.  Place on opposite end from the label. Monogram should be 5 inches tall. 
Bath Towels Bottom of monogram should be 4 inches above hem or 1-2 inches above border.  Place on opposite end from the label.  Monogram should be 4 inches tall. 
Hand Towels Bottom of monogram should be 2 inches above hem or 1 to 1 1/2 inches above border.  Place on opposite end from the label.  Monogram should be 3 inches tall.
Fingertip Towels Bottom of monogram should be 1 1/2 inch to 2 inches above hem, or 1 to 1 1/2 inches above border.  Place on opposite end from the label.    Monogram should be 2 inches tall. 
Golf Towel Centered near top edge of towel, below the grommet.  Bottom of towel should be free of embroidery, for wiping hands on.
Wash Cloths Bottom of monogram should be 1 1/2 inches above hem or 1 inch above border.  Place on opposite end from the label. 

If there is no border, monogram may be placed in corner at a 45 degree angle.

Monogram should be 1 1/2 inches tall. 
Sports Towels 6 inches above hem, or 3-4 inches above border. Monogram should be 3-6 inches tall. 
Bath wraps Equal distances, of 1-2 inches from top edge, and 1-2 inches from front opening. Design may also go down the front edge. 
Sheets With wide hem at the bottom (so sheet is upside down), the design should be right side up.  The bottom of the monogram should be 2 inches above the wide hem, and centered from left to right.  Embroider on the right side of the fabric. 

Alternatively, you can embroider the initials centered inside the wide hem. 

When you make the bed, the top sheet should be placed wrong side up, then the top (wide) edge should be folded back over the top edge of the blanket, revealing the monogram, which is now right-side up.

Do not embroider fitted bottom sheet.

Pillowcases  The monogram should be stitched on the wide hem of the open edge of the pillowcase, facing the open edge.  It should be centered from left to right, and also centered halfway between the edge of the pillowcase and the hem stitching.  
Pillow Sham Center the design on the middle of the pillow sham, facing the long edge of the sham.  
Blankets 9 to 11 inches down from the point of the corner, at a 45 degree angle.  The design should be facing the point, not facing the main part of the blanket. 
Napkins 3 inches from point of corner. Place opposite of label or tag.
Placemats Top right corner, 3 inches diagonally from point of corner.  
Table Scarves Place matching design at each end, facing the short ends.  Coordinating designs may go in the center, but should either be non-directional, or placed in pairs, facing either left and right, or up and down.
Table Cloths 5 inches from the corner points.  
Window Valances Large designs should be centered between bottom edge of valance and bottom of rod pocket. 

Small designs should be placed 1/2 to 1 inch above bottom edge of valance. 

 
Director's Chairs Centered on back of chair. Letters should be 4-6 inches tall, but a minimum of 2 inches tall, so people can read it across a room.
Christmas Stockings Centered on the cuff of the stocking.  
Christmas Tree Skirts Centered on the front of the skirt.  
Bags, Totes, and Purses Usual placement is 4 inches below top edge, centered between straps. Placement anywhere is acceptable.
Horse Blankets Side Center (multiple lines)

Hip

Shoulder

Lower Corner below hip.

Straight, or at angle if on bottom corners. 
Chart prepared by Diamond Threadworks
www.diamondthreadworks.com 

 

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