How much to charge for custom t-shirts
Rates reviewed July 2026
Most custom t-shirts is priced $8–$40 per shirt in 2026, with about $18 typical. By the job, a single custom shirt usually runs $15–$35. Your rate depends mainly on print method and quantity.
Custom shirts are priced per shirt, and the method changes everything: screen printing rewards volume while print-on-demand suits one-offs. Setup costs spread over a big run, so small orders should cost more per shirt, not less.
You should charge
$19
per shirt · typical $8–$40
Quote at the low end instead of here and you hand back $11 per shirt. Every single job.
Why this number. Charge more per shirt on small orders and reward volume on big ones. Screen printing has real setup cost per color, so a one-off priced like a bulk run loses money; make the price reflect where the work actually is.
Got your number? The hard part is keeping it when the client pushes back.
Typical custom t-shirts prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Single custom shirt (DTG / vinyl) | $15 – $35 |
| Bulk screen print (per shirt, 50+) | $8 – $18 |
| Embroidered (per item) | $15 – $40 |
Also common: Screen printing usually carries a setup fee per color, often $20-$40 each.
Free · The words, not just the number
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A short, calm script for quoting custom t-shirts in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Plus What to Say: the free AI that answers any client pushback
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What changes the price
- Print method (screen, DTG, vinyl, embroidery)
- Quantity (bulk lowers per-unit cost)
- Number of colors and print locations
- Garment quality
The pricing move most people miss
Charge more per shirt on small orders and reward volume on big ones. Screen printing has real setup cost per color, so a one-off priced like a bulk run loses money; make the price reflect where the work actually is.
What to SayAI
They pushed back on your price? Get the exact reply.
Paste what a custom t-shirts client says. A sales-psychology-trained AI writes the words that hold your price, in seconds. Free.
Get the reply →Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for custom t-shirts?+
Most custom t-shirts is priced $8–$40 per shirt, with a typical rate around $18 per shirt. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to print method (screen, DTG, vinyl, embroidery) and quantity (bulk lowers per-unit cost). Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
What is the best way to price custom t-shirts?+
Most custom t-shirts is priced per shirt, which is easy for clients to understand. Set a clear minimum so small jobs still cover your time and travel, and bundle add-ons into packages to lift the average ticket rather than discounting. Screen printing usually carries a setup fee per color, often $20-$40 each.
How much should I charge for custom t-shirts as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $8 to $18 per shirt. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $40.
How do I price custom t-shirts without underselling myself?+
Price from a formula, not a feeling. Screen printing usually carries a setup fee per color, often $20-$40 each. Count every hour, including design, sourcing, and packaging, and pay yourself a real wage for them. Charge more per shirt on small orders and reward volume on big ones. Screen printing has real setup cost per color, so a one-off priced like a bulk run loses money; make the price reflect where the work actually is.
How do I quote custom t-shirts so the client says yes?+
Charge more per shirt on small orders and reward volume on big ones. Screen printing has real setup cost per color, so a one-off priced like a bulk run loses money; make the price reflect where the work actually is. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.