Custom t-shirt pricing confuses people because the same shirt can cost $7 or $20 depending on a handful of choices. None of it is a mystery once you know the levers. Here they are.
1. How many you order
This is the big one. Most of the cost of a printed shirt is in setup, not the shirt itself. Once the screens are burned, each additional shirt is cheap to run. So twelve shirts cost a lot more per shirt than two hundred do. If your count is close to a price break, bumping up a few pieces sometimes lowers your total. Ask us and we’ll tell you.
2. The garment you pick
A basic 50/50 tee and a premium ring-spun retail tee are different starting points. Both print great. One just feels softer and costs a few dollars more. Hoodies, polos and performance shirts step up from there.
3. How it’s decorated
Screen printing is the most cost-effective for larger runs of the same design. Embroidery is priced by stitch count and gives that stitched, professional look on polos and hats. Direct-to-garment handles full-color art and small runs without setup. We match the method to the job so you’re not overpaying.
4. Colors and print locations
A one-color front print is the cheapest. Add more ink colors, or a second print location like the back or a sleeve, and the price climbs a little with each. Full-color photo-style art is its own thing, and we’ll quote it straight.
So what’s a real number?
For a simple front print on a basic tee, bulk orders often land in the single digits per shirt, while small runs of a dozen sit higher because that setup gets spread over fewer pieces. The fastest way to a real figure is our Instant Quote tool. Pick a product and a quantity and you’ll see an estimate on the spot. The exact price is locked with your free proof, and there are never setup or art fees sprung on you at the end.