Kids' Printed Clothing Size Guide UK: Ages 3 to 16 Explained

Children do not stay one size for long, and printed clothing cannot be swapped at a shop counter once it has been made. That makes sizing for a child a more careful job than sizing for an adult. This guide covers how our children's sizes run from age 3 to 16, how to measure a child who will not stand still, how much growing room to allow, and how to size a mixed class, team or family order. It is written for parents, teachers, club leaders and anyone ordering for young people. FabricForge prints children's T-shirts and hoodies from a single item upwards and sends parcels by DPD, Royal Mail, Parcelforce or our relay parcel service.

The age range we cover

Children's sizes run from age 3 to age 16, which spans toddlers starting nursery through to older teenagers. Age labels are a guide rather than a promise. A tall seven-year-old may fit age 9 comfortably, and a small eleven-year-old may fit age 9. The label tells you roughly what the garment is made for, not what your child will measure. For that reason we recommend choosing by measurement, or by a garment the child already owns, whenever possible.

How to measure a child

The easiest and most reliable method needs no child at all. Take a T-shirt or hoodie that fits well, lay it flat, and measure the width across the chest from armpit to armpit and the length from the top of the shoulder to the hem. Send those two numbers with a message and we will tell you which size matches. If you do not have a garment that fits, measure the child around the fullest part of the chest with a soft tape, and from the base of the neck to where you would like the hem to finish. Measure over a thin layer rather than a thick jumper.

Allowing for growth

Parents often buy a size up so the garment lasts longer. That is sensible, with limits. For a T-shirt, one size up is comfortable and usually looks fine. For a hoodie, one size up is normal and the sleeves can be turned back once. Two sizes up becomes baggy and the print position can look wrong, because a design placed for a smaller chest ends up too low. If the garment is for a specific event, such as a school trip or a show, choose the true size so it looks right on the day. If it is a gift for general wear, one size up is reasonable.

Age bands and what to expect

Ages 3 to 6

Young children need soft, easy garments with simple, bold prints. Sizes move in small steps, and children in this band often sit between two sizes. Hoodie sleeves can be long for small arms, so a turn-back cuff is useful. Prints should be small enough to suit a small chest.

Ages 7 to 10

Growth is steady, and children in this band often have strong opinions about what they wear. A neat design that looks like the adult version tends to be popular. School trip and club orders commonly fall into this range.

Ages 11 to 13

Bodies change quickly here, and the gap between children of the same age widens. Measuring matters most in this band. Some children will already fit the smaller adult sizes, so check both lists before choosing.

Ages 14 to 16

Older teenagers often sit between the largest children's size and the smallest adult size. Compare the measurements of both, and consider the oversized cut, which is forgiving and fashionable with this age group. See our hoodie size guide and the page on gifts for teenagers for more.

Print size for smaller chests

A design made for an adult looks enormous on a small child. We scale artwork to the garment, and in a mixed-age order we can lay out the same design in proportion for each size. Tell us if you want every garment to carry the same print dimensions or the same share of the chest. The mockup shows the result before printing, and it is the best moment to check that names on the back fit across the shoulders.

Sizing a class, team or family order

For a group, the main risk is a wrong size on someone who is absent when the garment arrives. Ask each parent or child to confirm a size by a set date, and ask them to give a measurement or the label of a garment they already own. Do not estimate for children you have not seen. Keep a short list of names, ages and sizes, and send it in one message. For clubs, our page on sports team kit printing explains the process, and for leavers see school leavers hoodies.

Comfort, safety and finish

Children's clothes should be comfortable against the skin. Soft cotton and cotton-rich fabrics are usually the easiest choice. A DTF print sits flat and flexible on the surface, but a large solid area can feel slightly different from the fabric around it, so for very sensitive skin we suggest a smaller design or placing it away from areas that rub, such as under the arm. Hoods and drawcords are part of the garment design rather than something we alter, so check suitability for the age and setting, for example around play equipment.

Looking after printed children's clothing

Wash inside out at a low temperature and avoid a hot dryer. Children's clothes are washed often, so a short care note taped to a gift is a kindness. The care guide sets out the steps.

How to order

1. Message us with the child's age or measurements, the garment, the colour and the date you need it.
2. Send the artwork and, for a group, a list of names and sizes.
3. We confirm the details and take payment before preparing the mockup.
4. Check the mockup; up to five rounds of changes are included.
5. When you approve, we print and dispatch, with next-day UK delivery possible after approval depending on timing.

Ordering for school and nursery settings

Schools, nurseries and after-school clubs often order for whole classes. A good approach is to ask parents for a measurement or a garment label by a deadline, order in one batch and keep a few spare sizes in case of new arrivals. If children will wear the tops for several months, such as a school trip or a summer club, a size up can keep them useful for longer. Always check the school's own policy for anything worn as part of a uniform.

Names on children's clothing

A name on the back helps teachers and helpers on a trip, and a name on the chest helps in busy settings. Keep names short enough to fit the width of the shoulders on the smallest sizes. For safety, some settings prefer not to print a full name where strangers can read it. Check what your school or club prefers before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What children's sizes do you print?

Ages 3 to 16, in T-shirts and hoodies.

Should I buy a size up?

One size up is reasonable for general wear. For a specific event, choose the true size.

What if my teenager is between sizes?

Compare the largest children's size with the smallest adult size, or consider the oversized cut.

Can I mix ages in one order?

Yes. Send a list of names, ages and sizes in one message.

Is there a minimum order?

No. A single garment is fine.

See also personalised hoodies, hoodie size guide and get a quote.