How much does it cost to order custom t-shirts in bulk?
How Much Do Custom T-Shirts Cost in Bulk?
Bulk custom t-shirt pricing typically ranges from $1.50 to $18 per shirt, depending on four key factors: order quantity, fabric choice, printing method, and brand level. For a typical 100-500 piece order with screen printing on cotton, expect $5 to $10 per shirt. At artisan x Ytscasual Apparel, we help you find the optimal balance of quality and cost for your budget.
Price by Quantity Range
| Order Quantity | Price Per Shirt | Best For | Savings vs 50-Piece Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-50 pcs | $10 - $18 | Small teams, events | Baseline |
| 100-500 pcs | $5 - $10 | Schools, organizations | Up to 50% |
| 1,000-5,000 pcs | $3 - $7 | Brand launches, retail | Up to 70% |
| 10,000+ pcs | $1.50 - $5 | Large promotions, wholesale | Up to 85% |
Key Factors That Affect Pricing
Printing Method
Screen printing is cheapest for bulk ($2-5 setup per color, low per-unit cost). DTG has no setup fee but higher per-unit cost. Embroidery costs more but looks premium.
Fabric Quality
Budget cotton (Gildan-level): lowest cost. Mid-weight ringspun cotton: 20-40% more. Premium tri-blend or organic cotton: 50-80% more.
Print Colors
Each additional screen-print color adds $0.30-0.80 per shirt. Full-color DTG or sublimation has higher base cost but no per-color charges.
Size Range
2XL and larger sizes typically add $1.50-3.00 per shirt due to additional fabric. Unisex sizing saves cost versus gender-specific fits.
Real-World Example: Streetwear Brand Bulk Order
A streetwear startup ordered 300 custom t-shirts from Ytscasual Apparel. They chose 50/50 cotton-poly blend at 190 GSM with 2-color screen printing. Final pricing breakdown:
- Blank garment cost: $2.80/shirt
- Screen setup (2 colors): $60 flat fee
- Printing labor: $1.20/shirt
- Packaging & QC: $0.50/shirt
- Total: $4.95/shirt (landed)
This was 35% less than domestic US production while maintaining comparable quality and faster lead time.
Cost-Saving Tips from artisan x Ytscasual Apparel
- Consolidate styles: Order multiple designs using the same blank garment
- Limit ink colors: Stick to 1-3 colors for screen printing
- Choose standard sizes: Avoid overly customized sizing for lowest cost
- Plan ahead: Standard production is cheaper than rush orders
- Ask about stock fabric: Using factory-stock materials saves 10-20%
Need an accurate quote for your custom t-shirt project? Request a free quote from artisan x Ytscasual Apparel with volume pricing breakdown.
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