Custom T-Shirts & Screen Printing Guide

Ultimate interactive guide for apparel design. Master t-shirt sizing charts, explore placement metrics, browse custom layouts for groups, and find top St. George print decorators.

6 Brands
Interactive Sizing
45+ Ideas
Design Templates
8
Local Decorators
100% Free
Planner Tools

Apparel Planning Made Effortless

Whether you are organizing a St. George family reunion, designing bachelorette party tank tops, ordering local fire department duty shirts, or printing club merch for schools, selecting the right garment, print placement, and size is critical. This guide provides comprehensive, interactive tools to help you verify brand dimensions, find popular slogans, understand technical pocket placement specs, and connect directly with local screen printing specialists in Southern Utah.

📏 Apparel Sizing Chart Hub

Verify exact width, length, and fabric details for leading custom shirt brands

Gildan (Standard & Sweatshirts) Details

The industry standard for promotional events, family reunions, and school merchandise. Sizing is true-to-size with a classic fit.

Gildan 5000 (Ultra Cotton Heavyweight Tee)

SizeChest Width (in)Body Length (in)Fits Sizes
S18"28"Chest 34-36
M20"29"Chest 38-40
L22"30"Chest 42-44
XL24"31"Chest 46-48
2XL26"32"Chest 50-52
3XL28"33"Chest 54-56

Gildan 64000 (Softstyle Lightweight Tee)

SizeChest Width (in)Body Length (in)Style Profile
S18"27.5"Modern fit, ringspun cotton
M20"28.75"Soft & lightweight (4.5 oz)
L22"29.75"Perfect for high-detail printing
XL24"30.75"Semi-fitted silhouette
2XL26"32"Durable double-needle collar
3XL28"33"Generous shoulder tapering

Gildan 18500 (Heavy Blend Hoodies / Sweatshirts)

SizeChest Width (in)Body Length (in)Sleeve Length (in)
S20"27"33.5"
M22"28"34.5"
L24"29"35.5"
XL26"30"36.5"
2XL28"31"37.5"
3XL30"32"38.5"

Gildan Youth (5000B / 8000B Sizing Guide)

Youth SizeChest Width (in)Body Length (in)Fits US Sizes
XS (4-5)16"20.5"Youth Size 4-5
S (6-8)17"22"Youth Size 6-8
M (10-12)18"23.5"Youth Size 10-12 (Medium)
L (14-16)19"25"Youth Size 14-16
XL (18-20)20"26.5"Youth Size 18-20

Interactive Youth Size Conversion Calculator

Youth Size
M (10-12)
Equivalent Kid Sizing
Youth Size 10-12 (Medium)
Chest Width
18"
Body Length
23.5"

🎨 Custom T-Shirt Design Explorer

Browse curated slogans, layouts, and print recommendations by category

Cruising / Family Cruise Group

Perfect for cruise ship excursions, sea day matching, and group photo identification.

Popular Slogans & Sayings
  • "We Are Family: Cruising Together 2026"
  • "Cruise Crew: Making Waves & Memories"
  • "Family Reunion Cruise: Sip, Sun, Repeat"

Tip: Bright neon colors (like teal or neon orange) make family members easy to spot in large crowds at port stops.

Family Reunion (2023 / 2024 / 2026)

Standard tree, roots, crest, or hometown map concepts for annual gatherings.

Popular Slogans & Sayings
  • "Branches of One Tree: Family Reunion 2026"
  • "Rooted in Love: The [Lastname] Family Reunion"
  • "Generation to Generation: Family Gathering"

Tip: Comfort Colors garment-dyed pocket tees offer a soft, upscale vintage feel that family members will wear for years afterward.

📐 Standard Print Placement & Pocket Specs

Technical blueprints for left chest pocket positioning and sizing layouts

Pocket
Full Front (12"x14")
Standard Left Chest Pocket vs Full Front print limits

Left Chest / Pocket Size Image

- Standard Dimensions: 3.5" x 3.5" to 4" x 4" (standard is 3.75" square).
- Pocket Seam Bounds: Allow at least a 0.25" gap from the seams to avoid print ink buildup on the pocket stitching.
- No-pocket placement: 3" to 4" down from the collar, centered vertically with the bottom armhole.

Full Front & Full Back Dimensions

- Adult Standard: 12" wide x 14" high (max 13" x 16" on large frames).
- Youth Standard: 9" wide x 10" high.
- Placement: Start the print 2" to 3" below the collar line.

Sleeve Prints

- Short Sleeve: 3" wide x 3" high centered on the outer sleeve.
- Long Sleeve: 3" wide x 12" to 14" high running down the arm.

💡 Running a Home-Based Apparel Business in Southern Utah

Starting a custom t-shirt or garment decoration shop from your garage or spare room is a popular way to launch a local business in St. George. Here are key local regulations, shipping logistics, and workspace requirements to ensure your home business operates successfully:

📋 City Licensing & Zoning

Municipalities like St. George, Washington, and Hurricane require home-based screen printers to obtain a Home Occupation Permit. City codes limit on-site customer traffic, noise (from dryers and compressors), and restrict delivery truck size (e.g. box trucks delivering bulk boxes of blank tees).

🏷️ Resale Exemption (Form TC-721)

To buy blank shirts (Gildan, Comfort Colors, Bella+Canvas) at wholesale prices from distributors like SanMar, S&S Activewear, or AlphaBroder, you must register for a Utah Sales Tax License and complete a Form TC-721 (Utah Resale Exemption Certificate) so you don\'t pay sales tax on raw material blanks.

🚚 Next-Day Wholesale Logistics

Southern Utah apparel decorators enjoy a major shipping advantage. S&S Activewear operates a massive distribution hub in Salt Lake City. Standard ground shipping to St. George is extremely affordable and usually arrives in just 1 to 2 business days, making quick turnarounds on custom orders easy.

🔥 Ventilation & Desert Heat

Curing screen print inks requires a flash dryer or conveyor dryer heating up to 320°F. In St. George\'s 110°F+ summers, this can quickly overheat a garage. Ensure you have dedicated exhaust ventilation to expel fumes, and manage your production schedule to print during cooler morning hours.

🏢 Local Screen Printing & Custom Apparel Shops

Get local St. George quotes and support Southern Utah custom print decorators

Confetti Pebbles

VERIFIED
Shopping & RetailClosed (MDT)

Unique gift boutique featuring handcrafted items, custom gifts, party supplies, and personalized creations for every spe...

1173 S 250 E, St. George
(435) 656-1996
Call

Copiers 4 Sale

VERIFIED
Business ServicesClosed (MDT)

Office equipment specialists providing copiers, printers, and multifunction devices. Sales, leasing, service, and suppli...

1071 E 100 S, St. George
(435) 652-1000
Call

Dauntless Imaging

VERIFIED
MarketingClosed (MDT)

Bold branding and promotional products that leave lasting impressions with custom printing and merchandise.

819 Lizzie Lane, Saint George
(435) 313-3756
Call

Bulloch Drug Soda Fountain

VERIFIED
DessertsClosed (MDT)

Cedar City's historic 1917 drugstore featuring the city's only 1950s-style soda fountain with Farrs Ice Cream and old-fa...

91 N Main St, Cedar City
(435) 586-9651
Call

FEHRNVI

VERIFIED
Shopping & RetailClosed (MDT)

Clothing boutique specializing in temple clothing, modest dresses, and boutique apparel for women and children.

1543 S River Road, St. George

Classic Sports Utah

VERIFIED
Shopping & RetailClosed (MDT)

Sports retail store offering shoes, accessories, apparel, and sports equipment with online shopping and local event supp...

Hurricane, Hurricane

Steamroller Copies

VERIFIED
Business ServicesClosed (MDT)

Steamroller Copies in St. George and Cedar City offers printing, copying, binding, large format prints, business cards, ...

St. George, UT, St. George

Southern Utah Running Co

VERIFIED
Sporting GoodsClosed (MDT)

Specialty running store in St. George offering expert shoe fitting, trail and road running gear, marathon training suppo...

162 N 400 W, St. George
(435) 414-3385
Call

❓ Custom T-Shirts & Sizing FAQ

What are the standard dimensions for a shirt pocket print?

Standard shirt pocket print dimensions are between 3.5" x 3.5" to 4" x 4" (typically 3.75" square is the sweet spot). When printing a pocket-size image on a shirt with a physical pocket, the print must fit within these dimensions with at least a 0.25" border from all seams. If printing a "pocket-style" print on a shirt *without* a pocket, the design is positioned on the left chest, centered vertically with the bottom of the sleeve armhole, and about 3" to 4" down from the collar.

How do Gildan youth sizes correspond to standard numeric kid sizes?

Gildan youth t-shirts are labeled XS through XL. A Gildan Youth Medium (M) is equivalent to a US kids size 10-12, fitting chests around 18" in width and 23.5" in body length. Youth XS corresponds to US size 4-5, Youth S is size 6-8, Youth L is size 14-16, and Youth XL is size 18-20 (which overlaps with adult XS/S sizes).

What are the sizing differences between Gildan and Bella+Canvas?

Gildan (specifically the Gildan 5000 Ultra Cotton) features a classic, tubular, boxy fit with heavier fabric, meaning it runs true-to-size but has a loose, traditional shape. Bella+Canvas (like the popular 3001) features a modern, side-seamed, ringspun retail fit. Because Bella+Canvas is semi-fitted and uses lighter fabrics, it offers a more tailored appearance and can feel slightly slimmer than a standard Gildan tee.

What is an A4 men's cooling performance long sleeve t-shirt?

The A4 cooling performance shirt is an athletic, moisture-wicking garment designed for high-exertion sports and outdoor activities (frequently used for charity 5Ks, cycling, or outdoor labor). It utilizes a 100% polyester interlock fabric with stain-release and odor-resistant properties, offering UPF 30+ sun protection. It runs true-to-size with a loose, athletic drape to keep the wearer cool in hot climates like St. George.

How do you design custom shirts for a family cruise or reunion?

For a family cruise, we recommend choosing a single, vibrant shirt color (like aquatic teal, royal blue, or sunflower yellow) so your group is instantly recognizable at ports. Use a centralized theme on the front (such as "Family Cruise 2026") and optionally add individual names or roles on the back. For family reunions, using garment-dyed Comfort Colors or soft Gildan Softstyle cotton shirts increases the likelihood that family members will wear the shirts long after the event.

Ultimate Guide to Custom T-Shirt Design & Screen Printing

Ordering custom apparel can feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of choices. The success of a custom shirt order relies on matching the right garment brand and sizing profile to your specific event. For high-volume events with tight budgets, like 5K fundraisers, charity walks, or large-scale community events, a classic Gildan Ultra Cotton or Gildan 50/50 blend offers the ideal balance of cheap bulk pricing, print durability, and classic fit. For collegiate organizations, sororities, fraternities, and boutique business merchandise, Comfort Colors heavy garment-dyed shirts offer an ultra-soft, vintage look that fits retail-grade standards. For general corporate merchandise or activewear, Bella+Canvas ringspun shirts or A4 cooling performance tees provide a modern fit that keeps wearers cool during warm Southern Utah summers.

Visual print placement and image sizing are equally critical when setting up files. A common error is scaling a logo too large for a left-chest pocket print, which results in ink wrapping around seams. Keeping pocket-size images strictly under 3.75 inches square ensures a clean, flat print that sits perfectly on the garment chest. If you are organizing a large family cruise, reunion, summer camp, or step team event, matching your print files to high-contrast fabric colors ensures high visibility. Work with reputable, local St. George screen printing and embroidery decorators to get recommendations on vector artwork setups, digital mockups, and bulk discount breaks.

Our Custom Apparel & Sizing Guide Highlights:

  • T-Shirt Sizing Charts: Comprehensive chest width and body length charts for Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Comfort Colors, Jerzees, Champion, and A4
  • Youth-to-Adult Sizing Conversions: Dropdown calculator for Gildan youth sizes to kid size equivalents
  • Print Placement Guidelines: Visual specifications for Left Chest, Pocket Prints, Full Front, Full Back, and sleeve print areas
  • Left Chest Pocket Dimensions: Design boundaries for 3.5" to 4" pocket print areas with seam clearances
  • Custom Design Ideas Directory: Popular slogans, themes, and templates for Family Reunions, Bachelorette Parties, School Clubs, and Greek Rush
  • Local St. George Decorators Directory: Verified local printers, screen printing decorators, and embroidery shops in Southern Utah
  • Athletic Team Styles: Design inspiration for Powderpuff shirts, sports top wicking garments, and intramural team designs
  • Station & Duty Apparel: Heavyweight hoodies, joggers, and direct embroidered 1/4 zip fire department job shirts

Custom Apparel Printing Services by Area:

  • St. George - Primary center for local screen printing shops, embroidery houses, and promotional product firms
  • Washington - Convenient local providers of custom vinyl decals, signage, and apparel decorators
  • Hurricane - Custom screen printing and team sports uniform providers serving east Washington county
  • Cedar City - Iron county custom printing, student organization merch, and promotional products