How much does custom merch cost?

For a figure tied to your own quantity rather than a range, try the instant quote tool.

Approve a free mockup before anything's printed — covered by our guarantee. Want to feel the quality first? Order a sample.

A straight answer with real per-unit ranges by product and quantity — plus what moves the price and how to budget a run. For the full table of current per-unit ranges across every product, see the bulk merch price index.

Which decoration method is cheapest?

Screen printing is the cheapest decoration method at volume, because its one-time screen setup spreads across the whole run. Embroidery costs more per piece and adds a digitizing setup, but reads premium and lasts for years; heat transfer and digital (DTG) printing skip screen setup, which suits smaller runs and detailed, full-color art. The method follows the artwork, not the budget alone.

For a closer look at the two most common methods, see screen printing vs. embroidery.

Custom merch cost FAQ

How much does custom merch cost?

Custom merch costs $5–$32 per item delivered for bulk orders of 50+ pieces — t-shirts $8–$12, hoodies $24–$32, tote bags $5–$9, and caps $8–$14 each, with decoration, standard US shipping, and duties included. Per-unit cost drops 20–35% from 50 pieces to 250+, and every order is itemized in a free quote.

How much do custom t-shirts cost in bulk?

Bulk custom t-shirts cost about $8–$12 per shirt at a 50-shirt minimum, dropping to $7–$10 at 100 and $5–$8 at 250+ — delivered, with standard US shipping included. The per-shirt price falls as quantity rises because the one-time screen setup spreads across more shirts. See our full custom t-shirt pricing for a per-quantity breakdown.

How much does it cost to make 50 custom t-shirts?

Making 50 custom t-shirts costs roughly $400–$600 all-in — that's 50 shirts × $8–$12 each, decorated and delivered with US shipping and duties included, plus a one-time setup fee per design. Ordering 100 lowers it to about $7–$10 per shirt. Every 50-piece run is itemized in a free, no-obligation quote.

How much does it cost to make 50 custom hoodies?

A run of 50 custom hoodies typically lands around $24–$32 per piece decorated and delivered (shipping included), or roughly $1,200–$1,600 total, depending on the product, decoration method, and number of print locations. Ordering 100+ brings the per-piece cost down toward $22–$28. We itemize every quote so you see exactly what drives the number.

How much do the most popular custom items cost per piece?

At a 50-piece minimum, delivered (shipping included): t-shirts run $8–$12, hoodies $24–$32, tote bags $5–$9, and caps $8–$14 — each dropping further at 100 and 250+. For a deep dive on tees, see our custom t-shirt pricing guide; for hoodies, our custom hoodie cost guide.

What is the customisation fee for custom clothing?

Customising clothing has two cost parts: a one-time setup fee per design (a screen burned per print color, or a digitized embroidery file) charged once — not per piece — plus a per-piece decoration cost already folded into our delivered ranges. Reorders of the same artwork usually skip setup. Every quote itemizes both so nothing is hidden.

How does custom merchandise pricing work?

Custom merchandise pricing is per-project, driven mainly by quantity, the base product, decoration method, and number of print locations. Your Merch Factory quotes delivered per-unit prices — from $5–$32 per item on most bulk apparel at 50+ pieces — with shipping and duties included and no separate shipping line. See the price table above for figures by product and quantity.

Why does the per-piece price drop when I order more?

Most decoration has a fixed setup cost — burning a screen per color, or digitizing an embroidery file. That cost is the same whether you make 50 pieces or 500, so spreading it across a larger run lowers the cost of each individual piece. Quantity is the single biggest lever on price.

Are there setup fees on top of the per-unit price?

Often, yes — a one-time setup fee per design covers preparing your artwork for production (a screen per color, or an embroidery stitch file). It's charged once, not per piece, and on reorders of the same artwork it's usually already done. Your quote breaks this out clearly.

What's the minimum order for custom merch?

Most items start at our 50-unit minimum, which keeps per-piece pricing sensible while the decoration is set up. Some items, like stickers, have lower minimums. Tell us your quantity and we'll confirm exactly what's possible.

Is the mockup and quote really free?

Yes — mockups and quotes are always free and carry no obligation. You see a visual proof and an itemized price before committing a cent, and nothing is produced until you approve it.