How much do custom shirts cost? It’s one of the most common questions businesses ask before ordering branded apparel, and the answer depends on far more than the blank garment alone. Whether you’re ordering for a small business, ecommerce brand, sports team, school, corporate apparel program, or promotional merchandise campaign, several factors influence the final price.
Blank shirt quality, decoration method, artwork complexity, print locations, order quantity, shipping, and setup fees all contribute to the total investment. Understanding these variables helps you budget accurately, compare printing methods, and avoid unexpected charges. This guide breaks down every major pricing factor so you can confidently choose the most cost-effective solution for your custom apparel project.
Key Takeaways
- Custom shirts typically cost $15–40 each for single orders and $4–12 each for large bulk orders.
- Blank garment quality is only one part of the total price; decoration and setup fees also matter.
- Screen printing offers the lowest per-shirt cost for medium and large production runs.
- Embroidery costs more than printing because of digitizing and stitch count.
- Ordering larger quantities significantly reduces the cost per shirt through economies of scale.
- Planning artwork, garment selection, and shipping early helps maximize value and minimize production costs.
What is the Cost of Custom Shirts: A Quick Answer
There is no universal answer because custom shirt pricing depends on your garment choice, decoration method, artwork, quantity, and production process. A single premium shirt with detailed embroidery will cost considerably more than a bulk order of basic cotton tees printed with a one-color logo.
Typical market pricing in the United States looks like this:
- Single custom shirt: $15–40
- Small orders (12–24 pieces): $10–25 per shirt
- Bulk orders (100+ pieces): $4–12 per shirt
- Premium branded apparel: $20–60+ per shirt
The final custom shirts price also varies based on garment brand, print size, ink colors, and whether you’re producing apparel for retail sales, employee uniforms, sports teams, or promotional campaigns.
Average Custom Shirt Prices by Quantity
Order quantity has one of the biggest impacts on pricing because setup costs are spread across more garments. Commercial print shops become increasingly efficient as production volume grows, lowering the cost per unit.
Average Custom T-Shirt Price by Order Quantity
Ordering more shirts typically lowers the price per garment, making bulk production the most cost-effective option.
| 📦 Quantity | 💲 Typical Price Per Shirt |
|---|---|
| 1 Shirt | $20–40 |
| 12 Shirts | $12–25 |
| 24 Shirts | $9–18 |
| 50 Shirts | $7–14 |
| 100 Shirts | $5–11 |
| 250+ Shirts | $4–9 |
The biggest price drop occurs once you order 24–50 shirts, and the best value is typically achieved with 100+ shirts. Bulk orders spread setup and production costs across more garments, resulting in a significantly lower cost per shirt.*Note: Prices are estimates and may vary depending on garment quality, print size, number of ink colors, decoration method, and supplier pricing.
For businesses ordering uniforms, merchandise, or promotional apparel, bulk custom shirts cost significantly less because equipment setup, labor, and production time are distributed across the entire order rather than a handful of garments.
What Determines Custom Shirt Pricing?
Several production variables determine the total project cost. While blank garments receive most of the attention, they’re only one component of the final price.
The biggest pricing factors include:
- Blank garment quality and brand
- Decoration method (screen printing, embroidery, DTF)
- Artwork complexity
- Number of ink colors
- Front, back, or sleeve print locations
- Screen setup or embroidery digitizing fees
- Packaging requirements
- Shipping and delivery speed
Each additional production step increases labor and materials, which directly affects the total project budget.
Blank Shirt Cost Breakdown
The garment itself establishes the starting point for every custom apparel order. Economy shirts reduce costs, while premium retail-quality apparel increases both perceived value and production expense.
Common blank apparel pricing includes:
Popular T-Shirt Brands & Typical Blank Costs
Blank garment cost plays a major role in the final price of custom apparel. Premium fabrics typically cost more but offer enhanced comfort and retail appeal.
| 👕 Brand | 💲 Typical Blank Cost |
|---|---|
| 🏷️ Gildan Heavy Cotton | $2–4 |
| ✨ Bella+Canvas 3001 | $5–7 |
| 👔 Next Level 3600 | $5–8 |
| 🌿 Comfort Colors 1717 | $7–10 |
| ⭐ Premium Retail Brands | $8–15+ |
Gildan Heavy Cotton is an excellent choice for budget-friendly promotions and bulk orders, while Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and Comfort Colors provide a softer feel and premium appearance that command higher retail prices. Choosing the right blank depends on your budget, audience, and brand positioning.
General price ranges:
- Economy blanks: $2–5
- Mid-range blanks: $5–8
- Premium garments: $8–15
Higher-quality shirts generally offer softer fabrics, improved durability, better color retention, and increased customer satisfaction.
Screen Printing Costs
Screen printing remains the most economical decoration method for medium and large production runs because setup costs are offset across multiple garments.
Typical pricing includes:
- Screen setup fee: $20–50 per color
- Printing cost: $2–8 per shirt
- Best order size: 24+ garments
For example, a 100-piece order with a one-color front logo often costs substantially less per unit than producing the same design on only 12 shirts because the screen setup is performed only once.
Businesses ordering through screen printing services typically achieve the best value when producing uniforms, event shirts, retail merchandise, or promotional apparel in larger quantities.
Embroidery Costs
Embroidery creates a premium appearance but generally costs more than printing because logos must first be digitized into stitch files before production begins.
Typical embroidery pricing:
- Digitizing: $20–75 (one-time setup)
- Embroidery: $6–15 per shirt
Several variables influence embroidery cost:
- Stitch count
- Left chest vs full-back embroidery
- Thread color changes
- Garment thickness
- Logo complexity
Professional embroidery services are especially popular for polos, jackets, uniforms, hats, and premium corporate apparel where durability and upscale branding matter.
DTF Printing Costs
Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing offers exceptional flexibility for full-color graphics, personalized garments, and smaller production runs because it requires virtually no traditional setup.
Typical DTF pricing:
- $4–10 per printed transfer
Advantages include:
- No screen setup fees
- Unlimited colors
- Fast production
- Ideal for short runs
- Excellent detail reproduction
Businesses using custom DTF transfers often reduce upfront costs while maintaining high-quality full-color graphics for ecommerce, custom merchandise, and personalized apparel.
Custom Logo Shirts Price by Decoration Type
The custom logo shirts price depends heavily on the decoration method you choose. Each printing technique has different setup requirements, labor costs, production speed, durability, and visual appeal. While some methods are ideal for large bulk orders, others are more cost-effective for short runs or highly detailed artwork.
In general:
- Screen printing offers the lowest price per shirt for bulk production because setup costs are spread across many garments.
- Embroidery is the premium option, delivering exceptional durability and a professional appearance, but it also has the highest unit cost.
- DTF printing is excellent for small orders and full-color artwork because it eliminates screen setup fees.
- Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) works well for names, numbers, and simple graphics but becomes expensive for complex multi-color designs.
Decoration Cost Comparison
Decoration Method Cost Comparison
Compare the most popular apparel decoration methods based on cost and ideal use cases to choose the best option for your project.
| 🎨 Decoration Method | 💲 Typical Cost Per Shirt* | ✅ Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 🖨️ Screen Printing | $2–8 | Large orders (24+ pieces), uniforms, promotional apparel, and event merchandise. |
| 🔥 DTF Printing | $4–10 | Small runs, detailed full-color artwork, and printing on a wide variety of fabrics. |
| 🧵 Embroidery | $6–15 | Corporate apparel, polos, jackets, hats, and premium branded merchandise. |
| 📄 Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) | $5–12 | Personalized names, jersey numbers, one-off garments, and short production runs. |
Screen printing offers the lowest cost per shirt for bulk orders, while DTF printing excels at vibrant, full-color designs with no minimum quantities. Embroidery delivers a premium, professional appearance for corporate apparel, and Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is ideal for personalized garments featuring individual names or numbers.*Note: Costs are estimates and may vary based on artwork size, stitch count, number of colors, garment type, order quantity, and production requirements.
*Typical decoration cost only. Blank garments are usually priced separately.
When to Choose Each Decoration Method
- Screen Printing
- Lowest unit cost for bulk production
- Excellent color durability
- Ideal for company uniforms, school spirit wear, and promotional campaigns
- Embroidery
- Premium textured finish
- Highly durable for repeated washing
- Best for polos, jackets, hats, and executive apparel
- DTF Printing
- Unlimited colors without additional setup
- Great for ecommerce and print-on-demand
- Works well for intricate artwork and gradients
- Vinyl
- Excellent for athletic numbers and names
- Suitable for low-volume customization
- Less economical for large graphics
How Artwork Affects Custom Shirts Cost
Artwork complexity is one of the biggest variables in custom apparel pricing. Two shirts may use the same blank garment, but production costs can differ significantly depending on the design.
Simple one-color logos require minimal setup, while highly detailed illustrations demand additional preparation, color separation, proofing, and production time. Professional print-ready artwork reduces revisions, speeds production, and lowers overall costs.
Several artwork characteristics influence pricing:
- Number of ink colors
- Large front or back graphics
- Multiple print locations
- Sleeve prints
- Halftone gradients
- Vintage distress effects
- Pantone (PMS) color matching
- Fine details requiring tighter screen mesh
For example, a one-color company logo printed on the left chest may cost only a few dollars per garment, while a six-color oversized front print with sleeve graphics can increase production costs by several dollars per shirt due to additional screens, setup time, and press changes.
Hidden Custom Shirts Costs Buyers Forget
Many first-time buyers focus only on the quoted price per shirt. In reality, several additional costs can affect the final invoice.
Common hidden costs include:
- Artwork cleanup or vector recreation
- Screen setup charges
- Embroidery digitizing fees
- Shipping and freight
- Rush production fees
- Sales tax (where applicable)
- Sample production
- Additional charges for reorders with artwork changes
- Premium garment upgrades
- Specialty inks or thread colors
Asking for a detailed quotation before production helps eliminate surprises and allows businesses to compare suppliers accurately.
Custom Shirt Costs Vary for Different Requirements
The answer to how much custom shirts cost depends on both order size and industry requirements. Different organizations prioritize different features, such as durability, premium branding, or cost efficiency.
Schools
Schools often order hundreds of shirts for clubs, spirit wear, graduations, and athletic programs. Bulk screen printing generally produces the lowest cost per garment.
Sports Teams
Athletic programs frequently combine team logos with player names and numbers. Screen printing keeps costs low for uniforms, while DTF is useful for personalized short runs.
Restaurants
Restaurants typically prioritize durable workwear with embroidered logos that withstand frequent laundering.
Construction Companies
Construction firms usually invest in heavy-duty work shirts with embroidered branding for long-term wear and professional appearance.
Corporate Apparel
Corporate uniforms often feature premium polos and embroidered branding that reinforces company image.
Retail & Ecommerce Brands
Retail brands focus on product quality, retail-ready finishing, and consistent color reproduction for resale.
Bulk Custom Shirts Cost vs Small Orders
One of the biggest pricing differences comes from production quantity. Setup costs remain nearly the same whether you print 12 shirts or 200 shirts. As quantities increase, those fixed costs are spread across more garments, dramatically reducing the unit price.
Cost Comparison
Average Screen Printing Cost by Order Size
Larger orders usually reduce the cost per shirt by spreading setup and production expenses across more garments.
| 📦 Order Size | 💲 Approximate Price Per Shirt |
|---|---|
| 👕 12 Shirts | $15–22 |
| 👕 24 Shirts | $10–16 |
| 👕 50 Shirts | $8–13 |
| 👕 100 Shirts | $6–10 |
| 👕 250 Shirts | $5–8 |
| 🏭 500+ Shirts | $4–7 |
Screen printing becomes more cost-effective as quantities increase. Orders of 100+ shirts typically provide better pricing, while 250–500+ shirt orders are ideal for businesses, schools, teams, and organizations looking for the lowest cost per garment.*Note: Final pricing may vary based on garment quality, number of print colors, print locations, artwork complexity, and production requirements.
For many businesses, ordering 100 shirts instead of 20 can reduce the cost per garment by 40–60%, making larger production runs significantly more economical.
Bulk Printing Services Save Money in Custom Shirt Orders
Commercial production facilities reduce costs through efficient scheduling and large-scale manufacturing.
Bulk production creates savings through:
- Batch printing
- Shared setup costs
- Better inventory planning
- Reduced shipping cost per garment
- Higher production efficiency
- Faster repeat orders
Professional bulk printing services are particularly valuable for corporate apparel, retail launches, schools, sports leagues, and national promotional campaigns because they maintain consistency across thousands of garments.
On-Demand vs Bulk Production
Choosing between on-demand production and bulk manufacturing depends on your business model.
On-Demand vs. Bulk Production Comparison
Compare inventory needs, fulfillment methods, pricing, and flexibility to choose the right production model for your apparel business.
| 📊 Feature | ⚡ On-Demand Production | 📦 Bulk Production |
|---|---|---|
| 📦 Inventory | Minimal or no inventory required | Inventory must be purchased and stored |
| 🚚 Fulfillment | Individual orders produced and shipped as customers purchase | Large shipments produced and delivered together |
| ⏱️ Speed | Fast for individual and small orders | Faster for large campaigns and scheduled production |
| 💲 Cost Per Shirt | Higher due to individual production costs | Lower with volume-based pricing |
| 🔄 Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent — easy design changes and product testing | ⭐⭐⭐ Moderate — changes require new production runs |
On-demand production works best for growing brands, ecommerce stores, and businesses that want flexibility without holding inventory. Bulk production is ideal for large campaigns, events, uniforms, and organizations that need the lowest possible cost per shirt.
Brands launching new collections often begin with on-demand merchandise to reduce inventory risk before transitioning to bulk production once demand becomes predictable.
Is Paying More for Custom Shirts Worth It?
The cheapest shirt isn’t always the best value. Higher-quality garments often last longer, fit better, and improve brand perception.
Premium production is often worthwhile for:
- Small businesses building their reputation
- Ecommerce brands selling retail products
- Sports teams needing durable uniforms
- Corporate apparel programs
- Promotional campaigns
- Retail clothing brands
When apparel represents your brand, investing slightly more in quality can increase customer satisfaction, reduce replacement costs, and strengthen long-term brand value.
Choose Shirt.co for Custom Apparel Services
Many businesses prefer experienced production partners because consistent execution is often more valuable than simply finding the lowest quote.
Shirt.co supports commercial apparel production with:
- Professional artwork review
- High-volume manufacturing capacity
- Reliable production scheduling
- Consistent quality control
- Nationwide fulfillment
- Multiple decoration methods
- Experienced production specialists
Whether producing employee uniforms, retail merchandise, promotional apparel, event shirts, or professionally produced branded apparel, we offer unmatched services while maintaining consistent results across every order.
Final Thought
Custom shirt pricing depends on far more than the cost of a blank garment. Decoration method, order quantity, artwork complexity, garment quality, shipping, and hidden setup fees all influence the final investment. While small orders naturally cost more per shirt, larger runs significantly reduce unit pricing and improve long-term value.
Planning your order carefully, selecting the right printing method, and working with an experienced production partner helps maximize your budget while maintaining consistent quality. Whether you’re ordering apparel for a business, event, retail brand, or promotional campaign, Shirt.co provides dependable production, transparent pricing, and scalable custom apparel solutions designed to deliver professional results.
FAQs
How much do custom shirts cost?
Custom shirts typically cost $15–$40 each for single orders, $10–$25 each for small batches (12–24 shirts), and $4–$12 each for larger bulk orders, depending on the garment, decoration method, artwork, and shipping.
What is the cheapest way to print custom shirts?
For orders of 24 or more shirts, screen printing is usually the most cost-effective option because setup costs are spread across more garments. For smaller quantities, DTF printing often provides better value since it requires little or no setup.
How much does one custom T-shirt cost?
A single custom T-shirt generally ranges from $20 to $40, depending on the shirt quality, printing method, design complexity, and shipping costs.
Why do bulk custom shirts cost less?
Bulk orders reduce the cost per shirt because setup fees, labor, equipment preparation, and production time are distributed across a larger number of garments. Higher volumes also improve manufacturing efficiency and often qualify for wholesale pricing.
Is embroidery more expensive than screen printing?
Yes. Embroidery is typically more expensive because it requires logo digitizing, thread changes, higher machine time, and stitch-count considerations. However, it delivers a premium, durable finish that is ideal for polos, jackets, and corporate apparel.
What affects custom shirt pricing the most?
The biggest pricing factors include:
- Garment quality
- Decoration method (screen printing, embroidery, DTF, etc.)
- Number of print locations
- Number of ink colors
- Artwork complexity
- Order quantity
- Shipping speed
Are setup fees included in custom shirt pricing?
Not always. Many screen printing jobs include separate setup fees—typically $20–$50 per color—while DTF printing usually has little or no setup cost. Always request a detailed quote to understand what’s included.
How much do custom logo shirts cost?
Custom logo shirts generally cost:
- $8–$18 each for bulk screen-printed shirts
- $15–$35 each for embroidered shirts
- $10–$25 each for smaller DTF orders
Pricing varies based on garment type, logo size, decoration method, and order quantity.
Is DTF cheaper than screen printing?
For small orders, yes. DTF is often less expensive because it eliminates screen setup costs. For large production runs, screen printing usually becomes the more economical choice due to its lower per-unit production cost.
Where can businesses order affordable custom shirts?
Businesses looking for high-quality, competitively priced custom apparel should choose an experienced production partner that offers multiple decoration methods, transparent pricing, professional artwork review, scalable fulfillment, and reliable turnaround. Shirt.co provides screen printing, embroidery, DTF printing, and bulk production services to help businesses balance quality, speed, and cost.
