Left-chest logo size and stitch count on polos
A left-chest logo on a polo is 3 to 4 inches wide. That is the number most buyers need. The rest of this guide covers placement, text size, and how width turns into stitches, which is what turns into price.
Standard size and placement
| Spec | Default |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 to 4 in (3.5 in most common) |
| Height | Follows the logo's proportions; usually 1.5 to 3 in |
| Position | Centered over the left chest, about 7 to 8 in below the shoulder seam |
| Women's cuts | Same file, placed slightly higher and closer to the placket |
| Pocket polos | Above the pocket at 2.5 to 3 in wide, or right chest at full size |
| Minimum letter height | 0.25 in |
| Minimum line width | About 0.04 in (a single satin column) |
How width becomes stitch count
Stitch count depends on how much area is filled, not just the width. A 3.5-inch wordmark in outlined letters may be 2,500 stitches; the same width with a solid filled shape behind it can be 8,000. Our flat rate covers up to 6,000 stitches; above that we quote per design.
| Logo type at 3.5 in wide | Typical stitches | Within flat rate? |
|---|---|---|
| Text-only wordmark | 2,000-4,000 | Yes |
| Icon plus wordmark, open design | 4,000-6,000 | Yes |
| Solid filled badge or shield | 6,000-9,000 | Often quoted per design |
| Detailed illustration or photo-style | 9,000+ | Quoted; usually simplified |
Text that will not stitch
Letters under 0.25 inch tall turn into lumps. Taglines, registered marks and small URLs under a logo are the usual offenders. On the proof we either enlarge the text, drop it, or move it to a second location like the sleeve. Tell us which you prefer.
Artwork that digitizes well
- Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG). A 300 dpi PNG on a transparent background is acceptable.
- Solid colors, not gradients. Gradients are approximated with blended fills and look different in thread.
- Fewer than 8 thread colors. Our machines run 15 needles, but each color change adds time.
- Clear space around the logo. Thread needs a little room to breathe against the shirt color.
Tonal and single-color options
A tonal logo (thread one or two shades off the shirt) is a popular office look and is the same price. A single-color logo in white or black on any shirt is the simplest to run and the easiest to match on reorders.
Left chest vs full front
A polo is a left-chest garment. Full-front embroidery (8 to 10 inches wide) is rare on polos because the placket and buttons sit in the middle, the stitch count climbs past 20,000, and the weight of thread pulls a knit out of shape. If you want a big mark, put it on the back yoke as text or consider a screen print for an event run. For a uniform, a 3.5-inch left-chest logo is the professional standard across every industry we serve.
Measuring your current logo
If you already have an embroidered polo from another shop, lay it flat and measure the stitched area edge to edge. Send that width and a photo with your quote. We digitize to match so the new shirts sit next to the old ones without a visible size change.
Other locations for reference
| Location | Width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Right chest (name or tagline) | 3 to 4 in | Level with the left-chest logo |
| Sleeve | 2 to 2.5 in | Smaller on performance knits |
| Back yoke | Up to 10 to 12 in | One or two lines of text; quoted per job |
| Above pocket | 2.5 to 3 in | Pocket polos only |
Proof checklist
- Width matches what you asked for (we show it on the proof).
- Text is at least 0.25 inch tall or has been simplified.
- Thread colors match your PMS numbers or are flagged as near matches.
- Placement is standard left chest unless you asked for something else.
- Stitch count is under 6,000, or the over-6,000 price is shown.
Approve the proof and the job goes into the 28-day production window. If anything on the finished polo differs from the approved proof, Battle Born Clothing redoes it free.
Price impact
Width and detail only move the price if they push the stitch count past 6,000. Under that, every logo costs the same: $6.00 per polo at 12-47 pieces, down to $4.00 at 144. Full schedule on the pricing page.
Questions
Can my logo be bigger than 4 inches on the chest?
Yes, up to about 4.5 inches on a men's L. Bigger than that looks like a badge rather than a logo and usually raises the stitch count past the flat rate.
Do you send a proof showing the size?
Yes. Every job gets a digital proof with the logo at scale on the shirt before we stitch.