shirt pricing

How Much Do Custom Shirts Cost? Bulk T-Shirt Pricing Explained (2026)

July 04, 20262 min read

“How much do custom shirts cost?” is the number one question we get — and the honest answer is: it depends on how many you order. Custom apparel pricing works differently from buying one shirt at the mall. The more you order, the cheaper each shirt gets. Here’s exactly how it works so you can budget with confidence.

Why bulk pricing saves you money

Every custom order has some fixed setup behind it — preparing your artwork, setting up the print, and getting the colors right. When you only order a few shirts, that setup is spread across a handful of pieces, so the per-shirt price is higher. When you order in bulk, that same setup is spread across dozens or hundreds of shirts, so the per-shirt cost drops dramatically.

That’s why ordering 20 or more shirts can save you over 60% per shirt compared to ordering just one or two.

Rough price tiers

Here’s the general idea of how pricing scales (exact pricing depends on the item, colors, and print):

  • 1–19 shirts: standard per-shirt pricing — great for small groups
  • 20–99 shirts: bulk discount kicks in — this is the sweet spot for most events
  • 100+ shirts: best per-shirt pricing — ideal for schools, big companies, and large events

For example, a large order can bring your cost down to around $10 per shirt — a massive saving versus retail pricing.

What affects the price?

A few things move the number up or down:

  • Quantity — the biggest factor by far
  • Garment type — t-shirts cost less than polos or hoodies
  • Number of print locations — front only vs. front and back
  • Colors in your design

How to get the best deal

  • Round up your quantity. If you’re at 18 shirts, going to 20 often lowers your total per-shirt cost enough to be worth it.
  • Order everything at once. One order of 50 beats five orders of 10.
  • Ask us. Text (937) 603-4494 with your quantity and we’ll give you a straight answer fast.

Get a real quote in minutes

Skip the guesswork — build your order online and see your pricing, or reach out and we’ll price it for you. Bulk custom apparel, real savings, made right here in Dayton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a setup or design fee?
We keep pricing simple. Reach out with your design and quantity and we’ll give you the full price up front — no surprises.

Do more colors cost more?
They can, depending on the print method. Send us your design and we’ll let you know.

What’s the cheapest way to get custom shirts?
Order in bulk (20+), keep it to one print location, and order all your shirts in a single run.

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