How Much Does Custom T-Shirt Printing Cost in 2026?

If you're ordering custom T-shirts for a business, event, organization, school, or team, one of the first questions is usually the same:

How much should custom T-shirts actually cost?

The answer depends on more than just the shirt itself. Quantity, garment quality, printing method, artwork, print locations, and turnaround time can all affect the final price.

At FTF Design Co., we price custom apparel every day, so this guide breaks down the major factors that determine what you should expect to pay.

What Is the Average Cost of Custom Printed T-Shirts?

For most bulk custom apparel orders, the price per shirt generally decreases as the quantity increases.

A small order may have a relatively high per-shirt cost, while an order of 100, 250, 500, or more pieces can usually be produced much more efficiently.

The final price typically includes:

• The blank garment

• Printing or decoration

• Artwork preparation

• Production labor

• Packaging

• Any additional print locations

• Rush production, if required

The most accurate way to compare pricing is to look at the total finished cost per shirt, not simply the cost of the blank garment.

1. Quantity Has a Major Impact on Price

Quantity is one of the largest factors in custom apparel pricing.

Producing 24 shirts is less efficient on a per-piece basis than producing 250 shirts because setup, artwork preparation, equipment time, and production labor can be spread across a larger order.

In general:

24–49 shirts: Higher cost per piece50–99 shirts: Moderate bulk pricing100–249 shirts: Stronger volume pricing250–499 shirts: Significant production efficiencies500+ shirts: Best suited for high-volume pricing

This is why businesses that know they will need shirts throughout the year can often reduce their apparel cost by consolidating orders.

2. The Shirt You Choose Matters

Not all blank T-shirts cost the same.

An entry-level promotional shirt may cost significantly less than a premium retail-style shirt made from softer ringspun cotton or a cotton/poly blend.

Common categories include:

Budget T-Shirts

Best for:

• Giveaways

• Events

• Fundraisers

• Large promotional orders

• One-time-use apparel

These garments prioritize price and availability.

Standard Business T-Shirts

Best for:

• Employee uniforms

• Contractors

• Service businesses

• Company events

• Everyday branded apparel

These typically provide a better balance between durability, comfort, and cost.

Premium T-Shirts

Best for:

• Customer-facing employees

• Retail merchandise

• Recruiting

• Corporate apparel

• Premium branded programs

Premium shirts usually have softer fabric, improved fit, better construction, and a more retail-oriented appearance.

Paying slightly more for the garment can sometimes make more sense than selecting the cheapest available shirt, especially when employees will wear it frequently.

3. Printing Method Affects the Price

There are several ways to decorate custom apparel.

DTF Printing

Direct-to-film printing works especially well for detailed, full-color artwork.

It can be a strong option for:

• Multicolor logos

• Gradients

• Detailed artwork

• Medium-volume orders

• Designs requiring consistent color

One advantage is that pricing does not necessarily increase every time another color is added to the artwork.

Screen Printing

Screen printing remains a common method for producing high-volume apparel.

It can be extremely efficient for large quantities using simple artwork with limited colors.

However, traditional screen printing often requires separate screens and setup for each ink color.

Embroidery

Embroidery is commonly used for:

• Polos

• Jackets

• Hats

• Workwear

• Corporate apparel

Embroidery pricing is often influenced by stitch count, logo size, garment type, and quantity.

For many companies, embroidery provides a more premium appearance than a printed logo.

4. Number of Print Locations Changes the Cost

A shirt with one front logo will cost less to produce than a shirt with:

• Left-chest logo

• Full back print

• Sleeve print

Every additional decoration location requires additional production time.

For example:

One location: Left chest or full front

Two locations: Left chest + back

Three locations: Left chest + back + sleeve

If you're trying to control your budget, limiting the number of decoration locations can reduce the finished cost considerably.

5. Artwork Can Affect Production

High-quality artwork helps keep custom printing efficient.

Vector artwork is ideal for many types of apparel decoration because it can be resized without losing quality.

Common vector file formats include:

• AI

• EPS

• SVG

• Vector PDF

High-resolution PNG files can also work well for certain printing methods.

Poor-quality logos, screenshots, or small JPEG files may need to be recreated before production.

6. Rush Orders Usually Cost More

Planning ahead can save money.

Standard production schedules allow a print shop to purchase garments, prepare artwork, schedule production, complete quality control, and package the order efficiently.

Rush orders may require:

• Expedited garment shipping

• Production rescheduling

• Overtime

• Priority processing

If you know your event or employee start date in advance, ordering early is usually the better option.

How Can Businesses Reduce Their Custom Apparel Costs?

The cheapest shirt is not always the lowest-cost apparel program.

Businesses can often reduce overall spending by making a few changes.

Consolidate Orders

Instead of placing multiple small orders every few weeks, consider combining apparel needs into larger scheduled orders.

Standardize Garments

Selecting a core group of approved shirts, polos, hoodies, and jackets simplifies ordering and improves purchasing efficiency.

Limit Decoration Locations

A strong left-chest logo or front print may be all you need.

Plan Ahead

Avoiding rush production and expedited freight can substantially reduce unnecessary costs.

Choose Apparel Based on Use

A promotional giveaway and a daily employee uniform do not need the same garment.

Spend more where durability and appearance matter and less where they don't.

What Should You Ask When Comparing Custom T-Shirt Quotes?

Don't compare quotes using price alone.

Ask each provider:

• What garment is included?

• What printing method is being used?

• How many print locations are included?

• Are artwork charges included?

• Are setup charges included?

• What is the turnaround time?

• Are there additional fees?

• Is shipping included?

• What happens if there is a production problem?

Two quotes that appear similar may include very different garments and services.

Get Custom Apparel Pricing Before You Order

The easiest way to budget for a custom apparel order is to compare the garment, decoration method, and quantity together.

FTF Design Co. provides custom apparel for businesses, organizations, teams, and events, including T-shirts, hoodies, polos, uniforms, jackets, and more.

Use our custom apparel pricing calculator to estimate your order, or request an exact quote for your project.