The trick to custom kids' clothing is balancing fun and practicality — while also getting the right size. As anyone who’s struggled to pull a hoodie over a kid’s head knows, the real fit for a given size on a given kid can be unpredictable, and knowing how to size kids shirts and hoodies is key.
Whether you’re ordering personalized kids clothing for a classroom, club, or local nonprofit, being able to accurately gauge custom kids apparel sizing keeps everyone happy and confident — and helps you avoid those ”should’ve ordered a size bigger” moments.
From custom kids’ t-shirts to hoodies, this quick guide to custom kids apparel sizing will help ensure your next bulk order fits everyone just right.
Understanding Youth Apparel Sizing (With Size Charts)
If you ever had a growth spurt that rendered your entire wardrobe obsolete over the course of one summer, you know kids grow fast. Assessing body size and measurements can be tough to generalize by age since development can look very different from year-to-year and kid-to-kid, so custom kids apparel sizing is really more of a guideline than a prescription.
To set you up for kid sizing success, the youth apparel size charts below should be good starting points for estimating toddler and youth sizes.
Toddler Sizing
Aside from just being generally smaller, toddler clothes are cut to fit rounder bodies, shorter limbs, and diapers or pull-ups. A step up from baby sizes, but not quite up to youth sizes, clothes for kids in this brief period are usually labeled with a “T” (e.g., 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T). The “t” stands for (you guessed it) toddler, while the number represents (as you probably also guessed) the general age by year the size corresponds to.
This age-based sizing can be a useful shorthand, but toddlers can truly have huge variations in sizes by year. For example, an early bloomer may be much bigger by 35 months (the end of year two) than a later bloomer at 24 months. Or, a toddler may barely be able to fit their head through the neck hole of a given year of a toddler shirt while the armholes and length are perfect.
In any case, this size chart should help you find the perfect custom toddler apparel for your little one.
Youth Sizing
While your definition of a “toddler” may vary, for sizing purposes, youth clothes technically pick up around ages 4-5 for many kids, though they technically go up to seven. No matter what age your baby becomes a full-blown kid with clothing to match, youth sizing has a decent amount of crossover from its smallest sizes to toddler sizing’s largest sizes. This should help you find just the right time to graduate them to new clothing.
Youth sizes are characterized by a leaner body, longer limbs, and no diaper bulk. The largest sizes span up to preteen years at L and XL, and kids in their early teenage years may start transitioning to small adult sizes, if they haven’t already.
Keep in mind that any age-related sizing is all relative, and there isn’t necessarily a standard for what size a kid “should” wear at a given age. To help you get the correct size regardless of age, here’s our youth t-shirt size guide to show how their measurements map to specific sizes.
How to Measure Kids Clothes for the Right Fit
It may be tricky to get sizing perfect for every kid, but with some careful measuring, you can still get it right the first time. From formal attire to custom kids activewear, here’s how to measure kids apparel.
- Chest: Wrap a flexible tape measure under the child’s arms, around the fullest part of the chest.
- Length: Measure from the top of the shoulder (near the neck) down to where you want the shirt or hoodie to end.
- Sleeve: With the child’s arm slightly bent, measure from the center back of the neck to the wrist.
Bonus Custom Kids Apparel Sizing and Measurement Tips
Knowing how to measure kids' clothing is one thing — being able to actually take those measurements from a squirming kid is another. Here are some bonus tips for getting accurate results.
- Turn it into a game by having them stand “like a star” or hold a favorite toy at eye level.
- Keep in mind that youth sizes aren’t scaled-down adult sizes — they’re cut for different proportions, so don’t expect a large youth size to fit similar to a small adult size.
- Consider that some brands run larger or slimmer than others, so check the specific size chart before you place your order.
- I said it once, I’ll say it again: kids grow fast. Plus, depending on the material, quality, and care, clothes can shrink. So when in doubt, size up.
If this is a lot to remember, don’t worry — all of our custom toddler or kids apparel pages include sizing guides specific to the age range.
Popular Kids' Apparel
Now that you’ve got a good idea of how to measure kids clothing as accurately as possible, you’re ready to pick your custom kids clothes. Here are some of the top products to choose from.
RushOrderTees Youth Classic Tee (RT2000B)
- Fit: True to size (may run slightly large)
- Printing: Print, front and back
If you’re looking for a dependable, affordable, and immediately available custom tee for a kid, the RushOrderTees Youth Classic is it. Available in a massive range of colors, this shirt is matched at the time of order with Hanes, Port & Company, Gildan, or Fruit of the Loom t-shirts to ensure you get the fastest turnaround possible.
Made from 100% cotton and offering a tearaway label, this shirt is comfortable and reliable with a true-to-size classic fit that may run a little large for some kids.
Team 365 Youth Zone Performance T-Shirt (TT11Y)
- Fit: True to size
- Printing: Print, front and back
Whether it’s for team apparel or a generally active lifestyle (which is to say, childhood), it’s never a bad idea to consider performance apparel for kids.
For a lightweight, outdoor-ready option, the Youth Zone Performance tee from Team 365 is a great choice. Its super lightweight 3.5 oz build will help kids comfortably play all day, while the moisture-wicking 100% polyester build keeps them dry. Meanwhile, the budget cost makes it ideal for bulk ordering.
Gildan Heavy Blend Kids' Hoodie (G185B)
- Fit: True to size
- Printing: Print or embroidery, front and back
Every kid needs a hoodie to wear to shreds, and this Gildan option fits the bill. Its 50/50 cotton/poly blend construction makes it both soft and durable, with a touch of athletic utility for active kids. Plus, with its pill-resistant air jet yarn, it’ll look great for as long as it fits, making it the ideal custom youth sweatshirt kids can wear from middle school straight through high school if sized-up enough for them to grow into it.
Parents will also appreciate that this youth hoodie has no drawstring, giving it an added measure of safety. Not to mention, it’s made with 50% sustainably and fairly grown USA cotton for added peace of mind.
Port & Company Youth Core Fleece Zip Up Hoodie (PC90YZH)
- Fit: True to size
- Printing: Print or embroidery, front and back
If traditional hoodies aren’t their style, a fleece zip up hoodie like this one from Port & Company offers a lighter-weight, more versatile alternative. With air jet yarn and a cozy yet sturdy 50/50 cotton/poly blend, this sweater offers the kind of soft, snug fit that’s perfect for long school days and weekends at home. Plus, the removable tag makes it great for maximizing comfort and for relabeling.
For added safety considerations, note that this garment has no drawstring.
Gildan Kids DryBlend® Polo (G880B)
- Fit: True to size
- Printing: Print or embroidery, front and back
Custom youth polo shirts have a place in every kid’s wardrobe — whether it’s for a school uniform, formal occasions, awards ceremonies, or personal style, a polo shirt is practically a necessity for kids and teens.
This Gildan polo has a 50/50 poly/cotton build and moisture-wicking DryBlend® fabric, giving kids a versatile shirt that can keep them cool, dry, and comfortable. With wood tone buttons, double-needle stitched hemmed bottom, and welt-knit collar and cuffs, it combines lasting quality and style-forward design.
Tips for Bulk Orders
Ordering custom clothes for one kid is tricky enough, but what about ordering for a whole group of them? Whether you’re responsible for a whole team, class, or club, keep these tips on custom kids apparel sizing in mind:
- When in doubt, size up: If you run out of big sizes, smaller sizes don’t give you much flexibility. If you’re going to have extras, lean toward larger sizes — they may not fit every kid perfectly, but at least they’ll be wearable or alterable to fit smaller frames.
- Collect sizes early: Send home a quick form or survey so parents or guardians can pick on behalf of the kids.
- Use past orders as a guide: Check what worked (and didn’t) last time, if you can access a record of past orders. This should give you a good starting point to customize.
- Measure up: Consult a youth apparel size chart, being careful to measure as precisely as possible using a few kids’ dimensions as “templates” to decide on the right number of each size.
- Don’t guess, assess: Ask our team for samples if you’re unsure about fit or brand.
Why Choose RushOrderTees for Custom Kids Apparel
You can get a blank kids shirt from anywhere, but when it comes to bulk orders of personalized kids apparel, it helps to have a printing partner like RushOrderTees. From youth t-shirts and hoodies to polos and activewear, we make custom ordering easy with:
- A wide range of youth sizes across top brands
- No minimums for printed items
- Fast turnaround with a helpful online design studio
- Expert support for custom team jerseys or school orders
Simplify Custom Kids Apparel Sizing
Custom kids apparel sizing doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of prep — and the strategy for taking measurements — ordering personalized kids clothing can be easy, stress-free, and (dare I say?) even fun.
Ready to start designing? Use our online size charts, explore youth favorites, and create custom kids apparel that fits and lasts — at least until the next growth spurt. Start your order at RushOrderTees today and get your custom children’s apparel in days, not weeks.
About the Author
Based in New Mexico, Bryce Emley is a seasoned content writer and expert in the realms of custom apparel and eCommerce. Holding an MFA in Creative Writing, he seamlessly blends his passions, specializing in insightful content that bridges the gap between innovative apparel solutions and digital commerce trends. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bryce is an avid creator, channeling his creativity into poetry, screenplays, and creative nonfiction. In his leisure time, he has a penchant for collecting unique, vintage anime t-shirts, showcasing his love for both rare finds and the artistry of apparel design.
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