How much do custom t-shirts cost in bulk?

It's the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is “it depends” — but not in a vague way. Bulk custom t-shirt pricing follows a clear logic: a few one-time costs get spread across your whole order, and a few per-shirt costs stack on top. Once you understand which is which, you can see exactly why your number lands where it does — and how to bring it down. Here's how it works, with no surprise math.

Why bulk is cheaper per shirt

Every custom order has a one-time setup — preparing your artwork and the screens or files that put it on fabric. That cost is the same whether you order 25 shirts or 250, so the more pieces you print, the thinner it spreads across each one. On top of that, the blank tees themselves step down in price at higher quantities, the same way buying in volume works almost everywhere. Put those two things together and the per-shirt cost falls as your order grows. That's the core reason “bulk” and “cheaper per shirt” go hand in hand — and why we set sensible minimums of roughly 25 to 50 pieces so the math works in your favor from the start.

What drives the per-shirt price

Beyond quantity, a few factors shape what each custom t-shirts order costs. The biggest levers are the blank you choose (a basic fabric versus a premium heavyweight), the decoration method, the number of ink colors and print locations, the total quantity, and shipping. None of these are hidden — they're just the dials we turn together to land on a price that fits your design and budget. A simple one-color front print on a standard tee at good volume sits at one end; a multi-color front-and-back print on a premium blank sits at the other.

Decoration and colors

For bulk tees, screen printing is the value choice — its low per-piece cost is exactly what makes large runs affordable. Each extra ink color and each additional print location (front, back, sleeve) adds a little to the setup and the per-shirt cost, so a lean, two-color design will always come in friendlier than a six-color print in three spots. If your artwork is full-color, gradient-heavy, or photographic, a digital (DTG) print is usually the better route, and we quote that one custom to your design. Not sure which method suits your logo? Our guide to screen printing vs embroidery breaks down where each one shines.

The blank matters

The shirt under your design sets the floor on price and the ceiling on feel. A basic blank keeps cost low and works perfectly for giveaways and high-volume events; a premium heavyweight or tri-blend tee costs more per piece but reads and wears like something people actually keep. Neither is “right” — it depends on who's wearing it and why. If you're weighing how much to spend and where, our post on merch budgets and minimums is a good place to think it through before you commit.

How to get the lowest cost per tee

• Order more at once. Because setup spreads across the run and blanks step down with volume, a single larger order almost always beats several small ones.
• Consolidate orders. If two teams or events need shirts, combining them into one print run stretches that one-time setup further.
• Keep colors and locations lean. A clean one- or two-color design in a single spot is the most cost-effective way to print at scale.
• Give a clear size breakdown. You can mix sizes XS–2XL in one run at no extra cost — telling us the exact split up front keeps your quote accurate and fast.

Getting an exact quote

The only way to know your real per-shirt number is to put the pieces together: quantity, blank, colors, and locations. Tell us those and we'll return a free, itemized quote — and a free mockup, usually within about 24 hours — so you can see exactly what you're paying for before anything is decided. Everything is made to order with production running about two weeks, and nothing is produced until you approve the proof. For a fuller picture of how all the dials interact, walk through our pricing guide.

There's no set price we can print here — and you should be wary of anyone who quotes a flat number sight unseen — because the right answer depends on what you're actually making. Send us the details and we'll do the math for you: request a free quote and you'll have a clear, itemized per-shirt cost in hand. Questions along the way? Call us at (737) 253-8727.