The Cost Of T-Shirt Printing: How Much Does It Really Cost?

how much for a printed t shirt

The cost of printing a T-shirt can vary depending on several factors. The number of T-shirts in an order is one of the most significant factors in determining the cost per item. Generally, the more items purchased, the lower the cost per item. For example, an order of 50 economy T-shirts with a one-colour screen print can cost $8 per shirt, while an order of 20 Gildan 2000 T-shirts can average out to around $18 per shirt. The type of T-shirt, such as economy, standard, or premium, will also affect the price, with premium T-shirts made from materials like Pima or Egyptian cotton costing more. The printing method can also impact the price, with digital printing being more cost-effective for lower-quantity orders and screen printing being ideal for larger quantities. Other factors that can affect the cost include the number of print locations, the number of ink colours, additional personalizations, and shipping costs. Overall, the cost of printing a T-shirt can range from around $10 to $50, with an average price of around $20 per shirt.

Characteristics Values
Printing method Screen printing, digital printing, direct-to-garment, heat transfer, sublimation, embroidery
Number of shirts The more shirts ordered, the lower the cost per shirt
Type of shirt Economy, standard, premium, budget, cotton, cotton/poly, polyester, tri-blend, CVC
Number of print locations Multiple print locations increase the cost
Number of ink colours The higher the number of colours, the higher the cost
Shirt colour Coloured shirts are more expensive than white shirts
Size Larger sizes cost more than standard sizes
Shipping Some companies offer free shipping
Add-ons Tag printing, hem tags, foil printing, folding, polybagging

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Bulk buying is cheaper

When it comes to buying printed t-shirts, bulk buying is definitely the way to go if you want to save money. The more you buy, the cheaper each individual item becomes. This is because print companies have volume discounts built into their pricing structures.

For example, if you're purchasing a small number of custom t-shirts, you can expect to pay retail prices – this could be anywhere from $20 to $50 per shirt. However, if you're buying 50 or more, the price per shirt typically drops to between $5 and $10. And if you order in larger bulk (100+), you're looking at a cost of around $5 per shirt. So, it's clear that the larger the quantity, the lower the price per item.

Another factor that makes bulk buying cheaper is the absence of setup costs. When ordering small quantities, especially those with many colors, screen printing is rarely used due to the initial setup costs involved. These costs are usually based on the number of colors in the design and the number of screens, press, and ink required. However, with larger bulk orders, screen printing becomes a more cost-effective option as the setup costs are distributed across a higher number of items.

Additionally, some companies offer rolling volume pricing, where the cost-per-piece decreases incrementally with each additional item ordered, rather than at set tiers or quantities. This means that even if you don't meet a specific volume threshold, you can still benefit from discounted prices by ordering in larger quantities.

Furthermore, when you buy in bulk, you often have the flexibility to mix and match different colors, sizes, and styles within your order. This allows you to customize your purchase to your exact needs without incurring additional charges.

So, if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, bulk buying printed t-shirts is the way to go. The higher quantity will not only result in a lower price per item but also provide you with more options for customization and the potential for additional discounts through rolling volume pricing.

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White t-shirts are the cheapest

The price of a printed t-shirt varies depending on the number of shirts ordered, the type of shirt, the printing method, additional features, and the required turnaround time. Generally, the more shirts ordered, the lower the price per shirt. For example, a small order of custom t-shirts can cost around $20-$30 per shirt, whereas an order of 50 or more shirts can cost between $5-10 per shirt, and for orders of 100 or more, the price can be as low as $5 each.

When it comes to the type of shirt, the cheapest option is usually a white shirt. Colored shirts typically cost $5 more per shirt for low quantities and $1 more per shirt for higher quantities. The quality of the shirts also plays a factor, with premium shirts costing more than budget or standard options.

Printing method and additional features can also impact the price. Digital printing is typically more cost-effective for lower-quantity orders, while screen printing is ideal for larger quantities as the cost per shirt decreases with volume. Additional print locations, ink colors, and personalizations will also increase the cost.

Therefore, it can be concluded that white t-shirts are the cheapest option when it comes to custom t-shirt orders. The white t-shirts provide a good base for printing and are usually the most affordable option, especially when ordering in bulk. The simplicity of a white t-shirt also means there are fewer additional costs for features such as multiple colors or prints.

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Printing on coloured shirts costs more

When it comes to T-shirt printing, there are many factors that can affect the overall cost, such as the quantity of shirts ordered, the type of shirt, the printing method, and any additional features. One factor that can significantly impact the cost is the colour of the shirt. Printing on coloured shirts typically costs more than printing on white shirts.

The base price of coloured shirts is usually higher than that of white shirts. This is because coloured shirts are generally more expensive to manufacture, and this cost is reflected in the price of the garment. Even when purchased at cost price, coloured shirts tend to be more expensive.

Another factor that contributes to the higher cost of printing on coloured shirts is the setup costs incurred during the printing process. White shirts, which are typically made of 100% cotton or a similar blend, do not require any pre-treatment before the printing process. This allows for a more direct and efficient printing method. On the other hand, coloured shirts often require a special pre-treatment layer to ensure that the ink settles properly into the fabric. This additional step ensures that the colours remain vibrant and do not fade over time. The type and amount of pre-treatment required can vary depending on the colour of the shirt, with darker colours, such as black, requiring specific types of pre-treatment, making them the most expensive to print on.

The pre-treatment process not only adds to the overall cost but also helps to improve the quality of the print. Without this pre-treatment layer, the ink may fade or appear less clear on coloured shirts. Therefore, the additional cost of printing on coloured shirts can be justified by the improved quality and longevity of the printed design.

Furthermore, the use of white ink as an underbase on dark-coloured shirts can also increase the printing cost. This additional layer of ink helps the colours stand out and appear more vibrant on darker fabrics. As a result, printing on dark-coloured shirts may take longer and require more ink, contributing to the higher cost.

When considering the cost of printing on coloured shirts, it is important to keep in mind that the specific prices may vary depending on the printing company and the quantity of shirts ordered. However, it is generally expected that printing on coloured shirts will be more expensive than printing on white shirts due to the factors mentioned above.

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More ink colours increase the price

The cost of a custom t-shirt can vary depending on several factors, including the number of ink colours used in the design. While it is possible to use as many colours as you like, each additional colour will increase the price of the finished t-shirt. This is because screen printing, one of the most common methods of t-shirt printing, requires a different screen to be "burned" and set up on the press for each unique colour. This increases the production time and costs for the process, screens, and ink.

For example, if you want to print the American flag on a black t-shirt, you will need to print red, white, and blue ink. However, if you change the shirt colour to white, you will only need to print red and blue, reducing the number of colours and potentially lowering the cost.

Some companies may charge a flat rate for using two or more colours, while others may charge a fee for each additional colour. This fee can range from $2 to $3 per shirt or more, depending on the company and the number of colours used. Therefore, it is essential to consider the number of ink colours and their impact on the overall cost when designing a custom t-shirt.

To save money, it is recommended to limit the design to 1-3 colours and utilise the colour of the shirt in the design whenever possible. By carefully considering the colour choices and keeping the design simple, you can create visually appealing custom t-shirts while maintaining a reasonable price point.

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Printing on the front and back is more expensive

The cost of printing on a T-shirt depends on various factors, including the number of shirts ordered, the type of shirt, the printing method, additional features, and the required turnaround time. One of the most significant factors affecting the cost is the quantity of the order. The larger the order, the lower the cost per shirt. For instance, ordering 50 shirts can cost around $5-10 per shirt, while ordering in bulk (100+) can bring the price down to $5 per shirt.

Printing on both the front and back of a T-shirt will increase the cost of each shirt significantly. This is because printing on multiple locations requires additional set-up costs and production time. For example, printing on the front, back, and both sleeves can double the price of a shirt with a single print location.

The type of shirt also impacts the cost. White T-shirts are typically the cheapest option, while printing on colored shirts can increase the price by $5 in low quantities to $1 in higher quantities. The quality of the shirt is another factor, with premium shirts made from high-quality materials or bearing brand names costing more than budget or standard shirts.

The printing method chosen can also affect the price. Digital printing is generally more cost-effective for lower-quantity orders and designs with multiple colors, while screen printing is ideal for larger quantities as it offers a lower cost per shirt for volume orders. Other methods such as embroidery or heat transfers also have their own pricing models.

In addition, the number of ink colors used can increase the cost per piece for screen-printed tees as each color requires a separate screen to be prepared and set up. Finally, any extra personalizations, such as adding names or numbers, will also raise the price of each custom T-shirt.

Frequently asked questions

The average cost of a custom t-shirt can vary from $10 to $50, depending on various factors. The more you buy, the lower the cost per shirt.

The quality of the t-shirt is a major factor. Budget, standard, and premium t-shirts differ in price due to brand recognition, material, and durability. Premium t-shirts can cost up to $50, while budget t-shirts are usually under $20.

Yes, for screen-printed t-shirts, the higher the number of colours, the higher the cost per piece due to increased production time and costs.

Yes, multiple print locations increase the cost per shirt. For example, a print on the front, back, and sleeves can be twice as expensive as a single print location.

Yes, shipping costs, extra features such as custom embroidery, and add-on services like tag printing or foil printing can increase the overall price of your order.

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  • Byeon
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