0
0
Why Does Custom T-Shirt Printing Cost More? 8 Ways to Save
It seems like the cost of just about everything has gone up, from groceries and gas to cars, homes, and insurance. Heck, even pet food costs more. Custom T-shirt printing is no exception either.
Whether you’re ordering shirts for your business, outfitting a team, planning an event, or creating merchandise to sell, staying within your budget matters. (Try and tell me husband that, please.) The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice quality to get a better price.
Understanding what goes into custom T-shirt pricing can help you make smarter decisions, avoid unnecessary expenses, and get the most value from your order.
What Affects the Cost of Custom T-Shirt Printing?
The price of custom T-shirts depends on more than the blank shirt and the design printed on it. Several factors influence the final cost, and some are outside the printer’s control. Nope, we can’t control everything.
1. Wholesale T-Shirt and Apparel Costs
Before a design ever reaches a T-shirt, the garment has to be manufactured. The cost of raw materials, including cotton, polyester, and other fabrics, can affect the wholesale price of blank apparel.
When clothing manufacturers raise their prices, those increases can carry over to the cost of custom-printed shirts. Popular brands, premium fabrics, and specialty styles may also cost more than basic T-shirts.
2. Shipping and Transportation Expenses
Custom apparel travels through several stages before it reaches the printing shop. Higher fuel prices, freight charges, and transportation costs can increase the price of blank garments and printing supplies.
These expenses can fluctuate over time, affecting the cost of producing and delivering custom T-shirt orders.
3. Printing Supply Costs and Availability
Screen printing requires specialized supplies, including inks, screens, and other production materials. Changes in material costs, supply availability, and delivery times can affect printing expenses.
When supplies become more expensive or harder to obtain, print shops may need to adjust their pricing to keep orders moving.
4. Brand, Style, and Color Availability
Apparel brands periodically adjust their wholesale prices, and certain styles or colors may become harder to find. Premium garments, specialty fabrics, and popular name brands often come with a higher price tag.
If your preferred shirt is unavailable, choosing a comparable style or color may help you stay within budget without compromising your overall design.
8 Ways to Save Money on Custom T-Shirt Printing
The good news? You have more control over your custom T-shirt budget than you might think. Here are eight practical ways to reduce costs while getting shirts you’ll be happy with.
1. Choose the Right T-Shirt for Your Project
Not every project needs a premium T-shirt. The best garment depends on how the shirts will be used, how often they’ll be worn, and the impression you want to make.
For example:
- Business apparel: Choose a comfortable, durable shirt that reflects your brand and holds up to regular wear.
- Event or volunteer shirts: A budget-friendly option may be the best fit, especially when ordering for a large group.
- Retail merchandise: Consider a higher-quality garment that customers will want to wear again.
- One-time events or giveaways: An affordable basic T-shirt may be all you need.
Compare garment options before choosing a style. Broken Arrow’s instant quote calculator can help you explore pricing and compare good, better, and best options to find the right balance between cost and quality.
2. Increase Your Order Quantity
In many cases, ordering more T-shirts lowers the price per shirt. That’s because certain production costs are spread across a larger order, making each garment more economical to print.
Broken Arrow automatically calculates quantity discounts at applicable order intervals, typically including quantities such as 6, 12, and 24 shirts.
If you need shirts for several departments, a large event, or multiple members of a team, combining your needs into one order may help you qualify for better pricing.
Before ordering, consider whether you can accurately estimate the total number of shirts you’ll need. A larger order is only a good deal if you can use the extra inventory.
3. Use Fewer Print Colors
The number of colors in your design can affect the cost of screen printing. Each additional color generally requires its own screen and setup.
A simple one- or two-color design can often cost less to print than a design with four, five, or more colors.
You don’t necessarily have to give up on a detailed look, either. Halftones can create the appearance of different shades using dots of a single ink color. For example, one gray ink can produce lighter and darker gray effects within the same design.
If you’re flexible with your artwork, ask your printer whether simplifying the color palette or using halftones could reduce production costs.
4. Limit the Number of Print Locations
Where you print your design matters just as much as how many colors it contains.
A design printed on the front of a shirt typically costs less than a design printed on the front, back, and sleeve. Each additional print location can require its own setup and production time.
For example, a four-color design printed in three locations may require up to 12 color-and-location setups, compared with four for a single-location design.
If you’re trying to lower your budget, consider putting the main design in one prominent location. You can still create an attractive, professional-looking shirt without printing on every available surface.
5. Order the Right Sizes and Quantities the First Time
Planning your order carefully can help you avoid the expense of placing additional orders later.
If you underestimate how many shirts you need or forget certain sizes, a second order may mean paying additional setup costs, shipping charges, or a higher per-shirt price on a smaller quantity.
Before submitting your order, confirm the number of shirts needed in each size. For team apparel, company uniforms, and group events, collecting everyone’s size in advance can make a big difference.
Think of it like cooking for a crowd: preparing everything at once is generally more efficient than making several smaller batches.
A little planning upfront can save you both time and money.
6. Choose the Best Printing Method for Your Design
Screen printing is a popular choice for custom T-shirts, particularly for designs with a limited number of colors and orders where quantity pricing matters.
However, it isn’t always the most economical option for every project.
Depending on the artwork, garment, and order size, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing may be a better fit for designs with lots of colors, fine details, or photographic elements. Embroidery may be worth considering for small logos on polos, workwear, hats, and other garments.
Each decorating method has different production requirements and pricing considerations. The best option depends on your design and how many items you’re ordering.
If you’re unsure which method makes the most sense, ask your printer to compare the available options before you commit.
7. Skip Personalization You Don’t Need
Individual names, jersey numbers, and other personalized details can make custom apparel more useful and unique. They can also add to the cost.
If every shirt needs a different name or number, personalization may be worth the investment. But if you’re ordering shirts for a company event, promotional giveaway, or general team apparel, a shared design may be all you need.
Eliminating unnecessary personalization can simplify production and help keep your order within budget.
If you’re considering names or numbers, ask about available pricing options before deciding.
8. Order Early to Avoid Rush Shipping
Last-minute orders can be expensive, especially when expedited shipping is required.
Planning ahead gives you more flexibility with production scheduling and delivery options. Standard shipping is often less expensive than rush services through carriers such as FedEx, UPS, or USPS.
Start your order early, particularly if you need shirts for a trade show, company event, fundraiser, tournament, or other deadline-driven occasion.
Be sure to allow enough time for artwork approval, production, and delivery. If your event date is fixed, confirm the expected turnaround with your printer before placing the order.
Get the Best Value on Your Next Custom T-Shirt Order
Custom T-shirt printing doesn’t have to break your budget. By choosing the right garment, ordering the appropriate quantity, simplifying your design, and planning ahead, you can often lower your costs without compromising the finished product.
The most cost-effective order isn’t always the one with the cheapest shirt. It’s the one that gives you the quality, appearance, and quantity you need at a price that makes sense for your project.
Ready to see what your custom T-shirts will cost?
Use Broken Arrow’s instant quote calculator to compare garment options, explore quantity pricing, and find the right fit for your budget. A few small adjustments to your order can make a meaningful difference in the final price.
Average Rating