Understanding Custom T-Shirt Pricing
Custom t-shirt pricing isn't one-size-fits-all. A single printed Gildan 5000 is $24.95, while the same design on 500 shirts drops to $9.00 each. Understanding what drives these differences helps you make informed decisions and get the best value for your budget.
This guide breaks down every factor that affects custom apparel pricing—from the obvious (quantity) to the often-overlooked (specialty inks, retail finishing, and value-added services). Whether you're ordering 24 shirts for a team or 5,000 for retail, you'll know exactly what to expect.
Get Instant Pricing
Use our design studio to see real-time pricing as you build your order. For wholesale orders of 2,000+ pieces, request a custom quote.
Order Quantity: The Biggest Factor
Volume Discounts High Impact
The more you order, the lower your per-shirt cost. This isn't a gimmick—it's economics. Setup costs (screen creation, machine prep, artwork processing) are fixed regardless of quantity. Ordering more shirts spreads these costs across more units.
| Quantity | Price/Shirt* | Why It Drops |
|---|---|---|
| 1–11 shirts (full-colour DTF) | $22.95–$24.95 | Full setup costs on few units |
| 12–23 shirts | $17.04–$19.03 | Minimum efficient production run |
| 24–47 shirts | $15.48–$16.99 | Setup costs spread further |
| 48–99 shirts | $12.20–$15.47 | Production efficiency improves |
| 100–249 shirts | $10.55–$11.70 | Sweet spot for most orders |
| 250–499 shirts | $10.00–$10.05 | Bulk material discounts kick in |
| 500+ shirts | $7.98–$9.00 | Maximum efficiency achieved |
*All-in per shirt on a Gildan 5000 with a one-colour front print, setup included, at each end of the range (500+ runs to 1,000). Actual pricing varies by blank quality, decoration method, and design complexity.
Blank Quality: Generic vs Premium
The "blank" is the unprinted garment itself. Blank quality significantly affects both cost and the final product's feel, fit, and durability.
Budget Blanks
Examples: Gildan 5000, Gildan 2000
Blank cost: $4.95 (Gildan 5000), $5.45 (Gildan 2000)
- Open-end cotton, tubular construction
- Classic boxy fit
- Great for events, giveaways, work crews
Mid-Tier Blanks
Examples: Gildan 64000 Softstyle, ATC 1000
Blank cost: $5.75 (Gildan 64000), $6.50 (ATC 1000)
- Ring-spun cotton, softer feel
- Semi-fitted modern cut
- Balance of quality and value
Premium Blanks
Examples: Bella+Canvas 3001, Next Level 3600
Blank cost: $12.50 (Bella+Canvas 3001), $11.95 (Next Level 3600)
- Combed ring-spun, CVC, or tri-blend
- Side-seamed, retail-quality fit
- Exceptionally soft hand feel
Need help choosing? Read our guide on How to Choose the Right T-Shirt Blank.
Decoration Method: Screen Printing vs DTF
Your decoration method determines not just how your design looks, but how it's priced. The two most common methods for t-shirts are screen printing and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing.
Screen Printing
Traditional method using mesh screens and ink pressed through onto fabric.
- Per-color pricing: Each color = separate screen
- Setup cost: $25.00 per colour per location
- Best pricing at: 100+ units
- Ideal for: 1–4 color designs, large orders
DTF Printing
Digital printing onto transfer film, then heat-applied to garment.
- Flat pricing: Full color included
- No screen setup: Minimal setup costs
- Best pricing at: Under 100 units
- Ideal for: Photo prints, gradients, complex art
Screen Printing vs DTF: Cost Break-Even Point
For orders around 50-100 units with multi-color designs, pricing is often similar. Above 100 units with 1-3 colors, screen printing typically wins.
Learn more in our detailed comparison: Screen Printing vs DTF vs Embroidery.
Number of Print Colors (Screen Printing)
Color Count Matters Medium Impact
In screen printing, each ink color requires a separate screen. More colors = more screens = higher cost. This is why 1-2 color designs are the most economical for screen printing.
| Colors | Added Cost/Shirt* | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 color | Base price | Most economical option |
| 2 colors | +$1.29 at 24, +$0.50 at 100 | Still very cost-effective |
| 3 colors | +$2.59 at 24, +$1.00 at 100 | Good balance of design/cost |
| 4 colors | +$3.88 at 24, +$1.50 at 100 | Consider DTF if under 100 units |
| 5+ colors | +$5.17 at 24, +$2.00 at 100 | DTF often more economical |
| Full color (CMYK) | — | Use DTF printing instead |
*Added cost per shirt over a one-colour print, setup included, at 24 and at 100 shirts; the 5+ row is for five colours. Varies by quantity.
Design Tip
If your design has more than 3-4 colors and you're ordering under 100 shirts, ask about DTF pricing—it may be cheaper than multi-color screen printing. Read our Artwork Preparation Guide for more tips.
Number of Print Locations
Each Location Adds Cost High Impact
Every print location (front, back, sleeve, etc.) requires its own setup and production run. A shirt with front + back printing is typically 1.5–2x the cost of front-only.
| Configuration | Price Impact* | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Front only | Base price | Standard promotional shirts |
| Front + name and number on the back | +154% | Sports jerseys, staff shirts |
| Front + full back | +58% | Event shirts, band merch |
| Front + back + sleeve | +115% | Premium merchandise, workwear |
*Over a front-only print on 100 Gildan 5000s, one colour per location, setup included. A printed name is $8.00 and a number $10.00 per shirt.
Save money by consolidating: If budget is tight, consider putting all your information on one side. A well-designed front-only print often looks better than cramming elements onto multiple locations.
Premium Print Methods (Add-Ons)
Beyond standard plastisol screen printing, specialty inks and techniques create unique effects—at additional cost.
Water-Based Inks (Soft Hand)
Water-based inks absorb into the fabric rather than sitting on top, creating a ultra-soft "no feel" print that's become the standard for retail and fashion brands.
Water-Based Printing
Soft hand feel, vintage look, absorbs into fabric
Discharge Printing
Removes dye and replaces with color—ultra soft on darks
Specialty Effects
Puff Ink
Raised 3D texture, popular for logos and text
Metallic/Shimmer
Reflective metallic finish (gold, silver, etc.)
Foil
Mirror-like metallic finish, very eye-catching
Glow-in-the-Dark
Glows after exposure to light
Durability Note
Foil and some specialty inks are less durable than standard printing. They're best for fashion items and special occasions rather than everyday workwear that's washed frequently.
embroidery">Embroidery Pricing
Embroidery is priced by quantity and the number of thread colours, the same way as screen printing. A one-colour embroidery adds $14.79 per placement at 24 pieces and $8.37 at 100, on top of the garment. Stitch count still shapes the result: the more stitches, the denser and heavier the design.
Digitization
Before embroidery, your artwork must be "digitized"—converted into a stitch file the machine can read. This is part of the setup: $25.00 per thread colour per location, spread over the order. Once digitized, you can reuse the file for future orders.
Keep Embroidery Economical
Simpler designs with fewer colors and less fill stitch dramatically reduce costs. A clean, outlined logo often looks more professional than a heavily-filled design—and costs much less to embroider.
Retail Finishing & Value-Added Services
If you're selling custom apparel at retail or fulfilling e-commerce orders, you may need professional finishing services that transform printed blanks into retail-ready products.
Custom Neck Labels / Relabeling
Remove manufacturer tag and add your own printed or woven label
Folding & Poly Bagging
Professional fold and individual clear poly bag packaging
Hang Tags & UPC Barcodes
Custom branded tags with scannable barcodes for retail
Size Stickers
Clear size labels on bags for easy identification
These services are essential for:
- Retail distribution – Stores require barcoded, tagged products
- E-commerce/D2C brands – Professional unboxing experience
- Amazon FBA – Poly bagging required, barcodes mandatory
- Private label products – Remove supplier branding, add yours
Other Cost Factors
Turnaround Time
Rush Fees Medium Impact
Need it fast? Rush production and shipping add to your total cost.
| Turnaround | Price Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (10 business days) | Base price | Best pricing, recommended |
| Guaranteed rush (7 or 5 business days) | +30% or +50% | Picked at checkout; fee refunded if we miss the date |
| Guaranteed rush (3 or 2 business days) | +75% or +100% | 2-day rush not available for embroidery |
Planning ahead is the best way to save money. Read our Rush Order Guide for tips on getting shirts fast without overpaying.
Oversized Garments
Sizes 2XL and up add $3.00 per piece. Larger garments require more fabric and larger print areas, increasing material and production costs.
Artwork Preparation
- Print-ready files (vector AI, PDF, EPS): No extra cost
- Minor cleanup/optimization: Usually included
- Vectorization from low-res image: May add a charge
- Design from scratch: Quoted separately
Submit print-ready artwork to avoid extra charges. See our Artwork Preparation Guide for file requirements.
How to Get the Best Price
Money-Saving Strategies
- Order in larger quantities – The single biggest cost-saver
- Limit print colors – 1-2 colors for screen printing is most economical
- Use fewer print locations – Front-only saves 37% vs front+back (100 Gildan 5000s, one colour each)
- Choose readily available blanks – Standard colors in common styles
- Plan ahead – Avoid rush fees by ordering 2-3 weeks early
- Submit clean artwork – Avoid vectorization charges
- Consolidate orders – One order of 200 beats two orders of 100
How to Get a Quote
Option 1: Design Studio (Instant Pricing)
For orders up to 500 pieces, our online design studio shows real-time pricing as you build your order. Select your product, add your design, adjust quantities, and see the price update instantly.
Browse Products & Start Designing →
Option 2: Wholesale Quote Request
For orders of 2,000+ pieces, visit our wholesale page to request custom pricing. We handle large-volume orders with retail finishing, fulfillment services, and custom packaging.
Option 3: Email for Complex Orders
For orders with multiple decoration methods, specialty inks, relabeling, or other custom requirements:
Email: [email protected]
Include your quantity, design details (colors, locations), blank preferences, timeline, and any special requirements.
