Custom T-Shirts | T-shirt Printing No Minimum (2024)

FAQs

What is an inexpensive method for printing t-shirts? ›

Screen Printing

While there is an initial investment in setups costs for screens, the cost per shirt decreases as the quantity increases, making it a great option for businesses looking for affordable ways to create cheap printed t-shirts.

The cost of a custom t-shirt can vary widely, depending on the number of shirts ordered, the type of shirt, the printing method, additional features, and how soon you need it. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $50 for a custom t-shirt, with an average price of around $20 per shirt.

If you're ordering a large number of shirts (around a hundred) with a single-color, single-placement design on an entry-level t-shirt (like the Gildan 5000), you can expect to pay around $5 to $8 per shirt. And yes, that price can go down even further on larger quantities.

For small orders (less than 24 pieces) DTG printing typically costs less than screen printing. For large orders (more than 24 pieces) screen printing typically costs less than DTG printing.

Screen printing, also known as silkscreen, is the most popular printing method. It involves applying ink onto a t-shirt using a mesh screen stencil. This method is effective for producing vibrant, durable designs on various fabrics.

There are many benefits to copyrighting t-shirt designs, including: Seamless legal protection: When you don't have a copyright for your t-shirt designs, anybody can directly copy your designs, sell them as their own, and profit from them.

Why are custom shirts so expensive? ›

Companies have to budget for a certain margin of error. Other companies are middlemen -- meaning they don't handle their own production, which adds a layer of cost. You pay them, they pay somebody else, and then get those shirts to you. Because they have that added cost, they pass it along to you.

Typical profit margins for t-shirts

Profit margins vary depending on various factors, such as your pricing strategy, target market, and production costs. Generally, the profit margins for custom t-shirts range from 30% to 60%, depending on the following factors.

Custom t-shirt business profit margins typically range from 30% to 50%. Let's put this into perspective and calculate the average profit margin. Begin by calculating your total revenue, representing the income generated from t-shirt sales.

What is the average profit margin on a T-shirt? Most sellers set their profit margin around 50%. So if your cost for the shirt + printing is $10, you might sell your shirt for $20. Setting a higher profit margin may enable you to offer free shipping.

High-quality designs let you get away with higher profit margins, while focusing on a very saturated niche might require lowering them. There is no specific baseline for the perfect t-shirt business profit margin. Average custom t-shirt industry markups tend to fall between 30% to 50%.

As each printed item is cheaper with offset printing than with digital, but the setup costs are much greater, there is a specific number of copies per project before which digital is always cheaper, and after which offset gives the best value for money.

While screen printing, DTG, and DTF transfers handle most t-shirt printing needs, some businesses utilize specialized techniques for unique applications: Sublimation employs heat to bond fabric dyes into polyester materials permanently.

Screen Printing: Screen printing is known for its durability and longevity. It involves pushing ink through a mesh screen onto your blank shirt, blank hoodie, etc. This method is often used for mass production and is particularly effective for simple designs with a limited number of colors.

In conclusion, DIY shirt printing can be cheaper if you're planning to print shirts in bulk. However, it's important to consider all the costs involved, including materials, equipment, and additional expenses like color printing or embroidery.