How Much Are Custom T Shirts

Introduction

When brands, teams, or individuals plan to order custom t shirts, the first question that often comes to mind is “how much are custom t shirts.” Unlike fixed-priced ready-to-wear tees, the cost of custom t shirts depends on multiple variables—from fabric quality and customization techniques to order quantity and additional services. This makes it impossible to have a one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the key cost drivers and how they influence pricing can help you budget effectively and get the best value for your investment. Dongguan Siyinghong Garment, a professional custom t shirt manufacturer with over a decade of experience, has helped countless clients navigate pricing to create high-quality custom tees within their budgets. Below, we’ll break down the core factors that determine custom t shirt costs, provide typical price ranges for different scenarios, and share tips to optimize costs without compromising quality.

Key Factors That Determine “How Much Are Custom T Shirts”

The cost of custom t shirts is not a single number—it’s a combination of interconnected elements. Each choice you make (from fabric to design complexity) will adjust the final price. Here are the most influential factors to consider:

1. Fabric Quality & Base Style

The foundation of custom t shirts—fabric and base style—has a direct impact on cost. Higher-quality materials and specialized styles will naturally increase prices, while basic options offer more affordability:

• Basic Fabrics: 100% regular cotton (130-150 gsm) is the most budget-friendly choice, ideal for simple event tees or promotional giveaways. Prices typically range from 5 per piece for bulk orders (500+ pieces).
• Mid-Range Fabrics: Combed cotton (softer, more durable) or cotton-polyester blends (wrinkle-resistant, easy to care for) are popular for brand merchandise or team uniforms. These cost 8 per piece for bulk orders.
• Premium Fabrics: Organic cotton (GOTS-certified), modal, or heavyweight cotton (200+ gsm) cater to high-end brands or eco-conscious clients. Prices start at 12 per piece and can go higher for specialized materials (e.g., moisture-wicking performance fabrics for sports tees).
• Base Style Add-Ons: Standard crew neck short-sleeve tees are the most affordable. Upgrades like V-necks, long sleeves, cropped hems, or oversized fits add 2 per piece (depending on complexity—e.g., long sleeves cost more than V-necks).

2. Customization Technique

How you decorate your custom t shirts—whether with printing, embroidery, or other details—is one of the biggest cost drivers. The technique you choose depends on design complexity, order quantity, and desired durability:

• Screen Printing: Cost-effective for bulk orders (100+ pieces) and simple, solid-color designs (e.g., logos, slogans). Pricing is based on the number of colors (each color requires a separate screen):
  • 1-color design: 2 per piece (added to fabric cost)
  • 2–3 color designs: 4 per piece
  • 4+ color designs: 7 per piece (less cost-effective; consider DTG for multi-color designs in small batches)
• Digital Direct Printing (DTG): Ideal for complex, full-color designs (e.g., photos, illustrations) or small-batch orders (10–50 pieces). Prices are based on design size and ink usage, ranging from 8 per piece (added to fabric cost)—no extra fees for multiple colors, making it cheaper than screen printing for multi-color small orders.
• Embroidery: Adds a premium, textured finish for logos or small text. Cost is based on the number of stitches (more stitches = higher cost):
  • Small logos (2,000–5,000 stitches, e.g., left-chest brand marks): 4 per piece
  • Medium designs (5,000–10,000 stitches, e.g., detailed team logos): 7 per piece
  • Large designs (10,000+ stitches, e.g., back embroidery): 12 per piece
• Additional Details: Custom tags, neck tape, or contrast stitching add 50 per piece—small upgrades that enhance perceived value without breaking the budget.

3. Order Quantity

Order quantity is one of the most impactful cost factors—bulk orders unlock significant discounts because Manufacturers can spread fixed costs (e.g., screen setup, pattern making) across more units. Here’s how quantity affects per-unit pricing (using mid-range cotton-polyester tees with a 1-color screen print as an example):

• Small Batches (10–50 pieces): 18 per piece (higher per-unit cost due to setup fees and limited economies of scale)
• Medium Batches (50–200 pieces): 12 per piece (setup costs spread thinner; some bulk discounts apply)
• Large Batches (200–500 pieces): 8 per piece (significant economies of scale; standard bulk pricing)
• Extra-Large Batches (500+ pieces): 6 per piece (maximum discounts; ideal for brands or large events)

Note: Most manufacturers (including Dongguan Siyinghong Garment) offer “tiered pricing”—the more you order, the lower the per-unit cost.

4. Additional Services

Extra services like sampling, packaging, or shipping will add to the total cost, but they can save time and enhance the final product:

• Sampling: A physical sample lets you test fit, fabric, and design before bulk production. Most manufacturers charge 50 per sample (some waive the fee if you proceed with a bulk order).
• Packaging: Basic polybags are usually free, but custom packaging (e.g., branded boxes, tissue paper, or hangtags) costs 3 per piece—worth it for retail brands looking to elevate unboxing experiences.
• Shipping: Costs depend on destination and order size. Domestic shipping (e.g., within the US or China) for 500 tees ranges from 150, while international shipping (e.g., to Europe or Australia) can cost  500 (sea freight is cheaper for large orders but takes longer; air freight is faster but more expensive).

Typical Price Ranges for Custom T Shirts

To make “how much are custom t shirts” more concrete, here are common scenarios with typical total per-unit prices (including fabric, customization, and basic packaging):

How to Optimize Custom T Shirt Costs

Wondering how to get high-quality custom t shirts without overspending? Here are practical tips from Dongguan Siyinghong Garment to balance cost and value:

1. Choose the Right Customization Technique for Your Order Size

• For small batches (10–50 pieces) with multi-color designs: Use DTG printing (avoids screen setup fees, cheaper than multi-color screen printing).
• For large batches (100+ pieces) with simple designs: Use screen printing (lower per-unit cost than DTG for high quantities).
• For logos or text that needs durability: Use embroidery for mid-to-large batches (the per-unit cost drops with quantity, making it more affordable than DTG for bulk).

2. Order in Bulk (Even If You Don’t Need All Tees Now)

If you anticipate needing more custom t shirts in the future (e.g., quarterly brand drops, annual team orders), order in larger batches upfront. For example, ordering 500 tees now (at 6 per piece) instead of 100 tees four times (at 10 per piece) saves $2,000 total—and you can store extra tees for later use.

3. Simplify Designs to Reduce Costs

• For screen printing: Limit colors to 1–2 (each extra color adds 1–3 per piece). Use negative space or single-color designs (e.g., a white logo on black tees) for impact without extra cost.
• For embroidery: Keep designs small and simple (fewer stitches = lower cost). A 3,000-stitch left-chest logo costs half as much as a 10,000-stitch back design.

4. Skip Unnecessary Add-Ons

Focus on upgrades that add value: Custom tags boost brand recognition, but fancy packaging may not be worth it for event giveaways. Prioritize what matters—e.g., durable fabric over decorative stitching for workwear tees.

5. Work with a Direct Manufacturer

Avoid middlemen (e.g., online platforms that mark up prices) and partner directly with manufacturers like Dongguan Siyinghong Garment. Direct manufacturers cut out extra fees, offer transparent pricing, and let you negotiate bulk discounts—saving you 15–30% compared to third-party platforms.

FAQ: Common Questions About Custom T Shirt Pricing

FAQ 1: Why do custom t shirts cost more for small batches?

Small batches have higher per-unit costs because fixed setup fees (e.g., screen printing setup, pattern making) are spread across fewer units. For example, a 50 screen setup fee adds 5 per piece for 10 tees but only $0.10 per piece for 500 tees.

FAQ 2: Is embroidery more expensive than printing?

It depends on order size and design. For small batches (10–50 pieces) with small logos, DTG printing is cheaper. For large batches (100+ pieces) or designs that need durability (e.g., team uniforms), embroidery becomes more cost-effective per unit.

FAQ 3: Do manufacturers charge extra for custom colors?

Most manufacturers match custom Pantone colors for free or a small fee (0.50–1 per piece) for fabric or ink. Basic colors (black, white, navy) are usually included at no extra cost.

FAQ 4: Can I get a discount if I reorder the same custom t shirts?

Yes! Direct manufacturers often waive setup fees (e.g., screen printing screens, embroidery digitization) for repeat orders, reducing per-unit costs by 10–20%.

FAQ 5: Are samples worth the cost?

Absolutely. A $30 sample lets you test fit, fabric, and design—avoiding costly mistakes (e.g., ill-fitting tees, faded prints) in bulk production. Most manufacturers credit the sample fee toward your bulk order if you proceed.

Conclusion

Now you have a clear answer to “how much are custom t shirts”—and understand that pricing depends on fabric, customization, quantity, and services. Whether you’re ordering 1 tee for personal wear or 1,000 for a brand, the key is to align your choices with your budget and goals: prioritize durability for team uniforms, focus on design quality for brand merchandise, and opt for affordability for event giveaways. Dongguan Siyinghong Garment offers transparent, tailored pricing—we’ll work with you to select fabrics, techniques, and quantities that fit your budget while delivering high-quality custom t shirts. With our direct manufacturing model and flexible options, you can get the perfect custom tees without overspending.