Ordering a t-shirt online is easy. Ordering the right size is the part most people get wrong — and with made-to-order pieces, getting it wrong costs more than a return label. Here's a straightforward, no-guesswork way to land on your correct size before you check out.
Why Sizing Matters More With Made-to-Order Tees
Every Printly tee is printed after you place the order, not pulled off a shelf. That's what keeps our prices fair and lets us offer 21 designs without stockpiling inventory nobody wants. The trade-off is that each piece is made specifically for you, so it's non-returnable and non-refundable once printed, except for genuine manufacturing defects. There's no "order two sizes and send one back" option here, unlike large retailers that can absorb the cost of exchanges — which makes the five minutes you spend on this guide genuinely worth it.
How to Measure Your Chest Correctly at Home
Skip the guesswork and grab a soft measuring tape (the kind tailors use, not a metal one). Wrap it around the fullest part of your chest or bust, keeping it level and parallel to the floor — not angled up toward your shoulders or down toward your waist. It should sit snugly but not compress your chest. Breathe normally and take the reading while relaxed, not with your chest puffed out. This one number is the most reliable input into any size chart, far more useful than height or weight alone.
How to Measure Length: Shoulder to Hem
Length is the second measurement most people skip, and it's the one that decides whether a tee looks intentional or ill-fitting. Take a tee you already own that fits you the way you like — not too short, not dragging past your hips — and lay it flat. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem. Compare that number to the length listed on the product page rather than assuming your usual "M" or "L" will behave the same way across brands. Two tees labelled the same size can differ by a couple of inches in length depending on the cut, so this single number does more to predict fit than the label ever will.
How to Compare Your Measurements to a Size Chart
Don't size yourself off memory or off what you usually buy elsewhere — cotton weights, cuts and prints all vary between brands. Instead, measure a tee you already own and genuinely love the fit of, using the same chest and length method above, then line those numbers up against the size chart on the product page. If your measurements fall between two listed sizes, read on — we cover exactly what to do next further down.
Regular Fit vs Oversized Fit: Know the Difference
Not every size chart works the same way. A "regular fit" tee is cut close to standard sizing — if you're a size M elsewhere, M is a safe starting point here too. An oversized fit is different by design: it's often meant to be worn a size larger than what you'd normally pick, with dropped shoulders and extra room built into the cut on purpose. Always check the product description before ordering — it will tell you whether a design is cut regular or oversized, and that context matters more than the size label alone.
What to Do If You're Between Two Sizes
This is the most common sizing dilemma, and there's no universal right answer — it depends on how you want the tee to sit. If you're after a relaxed, easy silhouette, size up. If you want a closer, more fitted look, size down. What you shouldn't do is guess blindly on a piece that can't be exchanged afterward. If you're genuinely unsure, message us on WhatsApp before placing the order — a quick note on your usual fit or your measurements is usually enough for us to point you to the right size, and it takes far less time than dealing with a tee that doesn't sit right once it's already printed.
Building Sizing Confidence for Every Order
Once you've nailed down your measurements against one or two tees you own, sizing future orders gets much faster — the same logic applies whether you're buying a graphic print or starting with the basics of a base wardrobe. Keep your chest and length numbers saved somewhere handy so you're not remeasuring from scratch every time.
Because sizing directly affects a non-returnable order, it's always worth the extra two minutes upfront rather than hoping for the best. When in doubt, we'd rather help you get it right the first time than have you unhappy with a tee that can't be swapped.
The fastest way to a perfect fit isn't a size chart — it's a tee you already own, a soft tape, and two honest measurements.
Ready to order? Browse the shop, and if you're still unsure which size to pick, message us for a size recommendation before you check out.
