Y-Neck
Garment — one of 28 in the glossary
A neckline cut deeper than a v-neck, with a short placket or seam that forms a Y shape at the front. It sits somewhere between a v-neck tee and a henley and is more common on women's and fashion styles than on promotional stock. The deep opening cuts further into the chest than any other common neckline, so a centred print has to start noticeably lower or be placed off-centre. Check the finished measurement before setting a print height, because the drop varies widely between brands.
Between a v-neck and a henley
A Y-neck is cut deeper than a v-neck and carries a short placket or seam at the front, so the opening reads as the letter Y rather than a plain V.
A henley has the same placket with a crew neckline and buttons; a v-neck has the depth without the placket. The Y-neck sits between them.
It is far more common on women's and fashion styles than on promotional stock, which is part of why it is less familiar.
The drop is the thing to check
The opening cuts further into the chest than any other common neckline, and how far varies widely between brands. A spec sheet rarely publishes the drop.
That matters because a centred print positioned by the usual rule — a set distance below the collar — can end up starting inside the opening.
Measure the finished garment from the high point of the shoulder to the bottom of the Y before setting a print height. Do not assume it matches the brand's v-neck.
Decorating around it
Either drop the design noticeably lower than on a crew, or move it off-centre to the left chest.
The placket itself is a double thickness with a seam, so a print crossing it will be uneven and a heat press will bear unevenly on it.
On a deep Y the platen also has less flat area to work with, which is worth flagging to whoever is printing.
Common questions
- What is a Y-neck shirt?
- One with a neckline cut deeper than a v-neck and a short placket or seam at the front, so the opening forms a Y. It sits between a v-neck and a henley.
- What is the difference between a Y-neck and a henley?
- A henley has a crew neckline with a buttoned placket. A Y-neck has a deeper open neckline with a placket or seam and usually no buttons.
- Where does a print go on a Y-neck?
- Lower than on a crew, or off-centre to the left chest. The opening cuts deep into the chest and varies by brand, so measure the garment rather than assuming a standard drop.
See also
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