We think it’s pretty safe to assume that you’re in the market for custom t-shirts. At least, that's what we're guessing since you came across this blog post. We’ve got plenty of years of experience, creating custom shirts since 2009, and we're here to help break down some ever-so-important information that regards custom t-shirt pricing. Let's dive in, shall we?
T-shirt prices can vary depending on fabric type, size, quantity, imprint method, and brand. It's also vital to factor in additional costs, such as custom embroidery or any add-on services. Bringing your perfect, custom t-shirt to life may be an investment, but we promise it’ll be worth every penny. Doing this is a great way to advertise your brand, organization, or business in a ~cool and comfortable~ way.
Factors that you need to consider for custom t-shirts
Fabric Type
What your shirt is made out of is a big determining factor in how much it will cost to customize. If you decide to go with a standard cotton tee, the price will be more affordable, especially when it comes to ordering in bulk. Custom cotton shirts typically start around $7- $10 per garment, but it all depends on the factors above.
But if you decide to go with a super soft tri-blend, the cost per shirt will increase. Tri-blend tees average around $9-$13 as a starting point. When it comes to choosing between a 100% cotton or tri-blend tee, it all depends on what’s most suitable for your budget and the people who will be dawning your apparel.
Size
It might not be the first thing to come to mind, but sizing is also an important factor when figuring out the costs of your custom t-shirt order.
Standard sizes (XS-XL) are generally the same price across the board, but extended sizes (2XL-3XL) could increase the cost.
For example, a standard cotton tee is typically around $7-$10, but an XXL+ sized cotton tee averages around $10 or more per garment.
Larger garments require more material, therefore they may be a bit more expensive than XS-XL shirts.
Quantity
You might think “more shirts = more expensive” but we’re here to let you know that it’s actually quite the opposite! When it comes to quantity, the larger the number of shirts purchased, the lower the cost per shirt will be.
Essentially: the more you buy, the more you'll save. Bulk pricing is always a money saver, just think about how wholesale groceries work! If you shopped at a store like Costco or Sam’s Club before, you know that buying a giant pack of something costs less per item than the normal retail price. The same goes for t-shirts!
For example, an order of twenty Gildan 2000 t-shirts averages out to around $18 per shirt, but 100 shirts averages out to around $9 per shirt.
Print Style
The price of your custom t-shirts will change with the printing method and the location(s) of the design being printed. More color + surface area covered = higher cost per garment.
When it comes to print styles, there is a difference between digital and screen printing. Screen printing is better for large, simple designs that don't require intricate amounts of detail. This ties back into the earlier mentioned more garments = lower total order price.
On the other hand, digital printing is ideal for more intricate designs or orders of just a few shirts. Digital printed t-shirt orders are typically more collectively expensive due to their more detailed nature.
Brand Names
T-shirts from more well-known brands such as Nike or American Apparel have a higher price point due to their perceptually higher value compared to brands such as Gildan or Tultex which have lower price points and maybe aren’t as well known to the average person. For example, a Gildan tee can cost under $10, but a Nike tee likely won’t be under $20 in most cases.
At the end of the day, it comes down to brand, style, budget, and personal preference when curating your custom tee order. There is a lot of stock put into sourcing high-quality garments, and there’s something out there to fit every budget.
Add-On Services
The final thing to consider when it comes to custom t-shirt pricing is the cost of potential add-on services. These fun additions can help your tees stand out from the crowd and really separate your brand from your competitors. Some of the more popular add-ons include tag printing, hem tags, foil printing, folding, and polybagging. Prices vary from service to service.
Some price examples of popular add-ons include
- Custom tag printing $0.30-$2 per shirt
- Hem tags $0.50-$2 per shirt
- Foil printing $1.50-$4 per shirt
- Folding and poly bagging $0.45- $1.90 per shirt
Starting to do some number-crunching?
So now we’ve taught you about some common cost factors including fabric type, size, quantity, print style, brand names, and add-on services to consider when planning out your custom t-shirt order. Now, what do you do?
We’ve sold a lot of custom shirts over the years, so we can definitely give you the inside scoop and provide you with additional knowledge to guide you on your purchasing journey.
We know that the plethora of information online can be a little overwhelming, so we are here to help.
Check out our T-Shirt Buyer’s Guide for some more detailed info on what type of shirt would work best for you and your needs!
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