The question we hear more than any other is "How much do custom shirts cost?" It's a fair question, and we wish we could answer it in one number. The honest answer is that it depends on a handful of details, and two orders that both sound like "some shirts" can be priced very differently.
The good news: there are only 9 questions that decide the price. Answer them when you reach out, and we can give you a real quote instead of a guess.
Why there's no single price
Screen printing has setup work before the first shirt is printed. Each ink color in your design needs its own screen, and each print location (front, back, sleeve) is set up separately. That setup costs the same whether you order 12 shirts or 200, so the more shirts in the order, the less of it lands on each shirt.
That's why quantity, ink colors and print locations matter so much, and why we have to ask.
The 9 questions we need to quote your shirts
- How many shirts? This is the biggest factor. Larger orders spread the setup across more shirts and bring the per-shirt price down.
- Is there a design on the front? Yes or no.
- How many ink colors are on the front? Every color is a separate screen and a separate pass on the press. A one-color design costs less than a four-color design.
- Is there a design on the back? Yes or no.
- How many ink colors are on the back? Same as the front: each color adds a screen.
- Any additional print areas? A sleeve, a pocket, a name down the leg. Each location is its own setup.
- How many ink colors in that extra area?
- When do you need them? Our typical turnaround is 2 weeks. If you need them in 1 week, we can usually rush it for a 25% rush fee.
- What type of garment? A basic cotton tee, a softer ringspun tee, long sleeves, crewneck sweatshirts and hoodies are all priced differently, and so are brands and colors.
What a typical order looks like
Here are ballpark per-piece prices for a few common orders:
- 24 tees, 1-color front: about $10 to $12 per shirt
- 50 tees, 2-color front and 1-color back: about $11 to $13 per shirt
- 24 hoodies, 1-color front: about $20 to $30 per hoodie
Notice the second order has two print locations and three ink colors, yet costs only a little more per shirt than the first. That's quantity at work: twice as many shirts spreads the setup further.
Every order is different, so treat these as ballpark ranges. Garment brand and color, sizes and timing can move the price. Your quote will be based on your answers to the 9 questions above.
How to keep your cost down
- Use fewer ink colors. A bold one- or two-color design often looks great and costs less.
- Order everything at once. Combining your team, staff or event shirts into one order lowers the per-shirt price.
- Plan ahead. Giving us at least 2 weeks avoids the rush fee.
- Start with one print location. A front-only design is the most affordable place to start.
What about embroidery or jerseys?
Embroidered items are priced by the size and detail of the logo rather than ink colors, and sublimated jerseys are quoted by design and quantity. The same idea applies: the more details you send, the faster and more accurate your quote.
Get your quote
Our screen printing quote request form walks you through all 9 questions and lets you upload your artwork. Prefer the phone? Call our Union shop at (304) 772-4444 or our Fairlea shop at (304) 645-4868. You'll talk with a real person, and we'll get you a real price.