How Much Do Custom T-Shirts Cost in 2026? Bulk Pricing by Quantity
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TL;DR: Custom T-shirts cost $5.20-$9.50 per shirt at 250-unit MOQ with single-color screen print. Conventional cotton starts at $5.20; organic cotton (GOTS) runs $7.20-$9.50; performance polyester $6.50-$9.00. Bulk pricing drops ~40% from 100 to 1,000 units. A 500-shirt order costs roughly $2,250-$3,250 plus a one-time ~$50 setup fee. This guide breaks down real T-shirt pricing by quantity, material, and decoration method.
Custom T-Shirt Pricing by Quantity (Single-Color Screen Print)
| Quantity | Conventional cotton | Organic cotton (GOTS) | Performance poly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $7.50 | $9.50 | $9.00 |
| 250 | $5.20 | $7.20 | $6.50 |
| 500 | $4.50 | $6.20 | $5.50 |
| 1,000 | $4.00 | $5.50 | $4.80 |
| 2,500 | $3.50 | $4.80 | $4.20 |
How Decoration Method Affects Price
| Method | Added cost/unit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-color screen print | included | Simple logos, mass orders |
| Multi-color screen (per color) | +$0.50-$1.00 | 2-4 color designs |
| Full-color DTG (digital) | +$2-$4 | Photos, complex art, small runs |
| Embroidery (left chest) | +$3-$5 | Premium feel, polos/heavier shirts |
| Sublimation (all-over) | +$4-$8 | Performance poly, full coverage |
Total Cost Examples
100 shirts, conventional cotton, 1-color
- 100 × $7.50 = $750
- Setup fee: $50
- Total: $800 ($8.00/shirt all-in)
500 shirts, organic cotton, 2-color
- 500 × $6.20 = $3,100
- Color upcharge: 500 × $0.75 = $375
- Setup (2 screens): $100
- Total: $3,575 ($7.15/shirt all-in)
1,000 shirts, performance poly, 1-color
- 1,000 × $4.80 = $4,800
- Setup: $50
- Total: $4,850 ($4.85/shirt all-in)
What Drives T-Shirt Cost
1. Quantity — biggest factor; 1,000 units cost ~40% less per shirt than 100 2. Material — organic cotton +30-40%, performance poly +15-25% vs conventional 3. Decoration — embroidery and full-color cost more than single-color screen 4. Number of colors — each screen color adds setup + per-unit cost 5. Print locations — front+back doubles decoration cost 6. Brand/quality tier — premium blanks (Tencel, tri-blend) cost more 7. Certifications — GOTS/WRAP/Fair Trade documented shirts cost slightly more
Hidden Costs to Budget
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Screen setup fee | $40-$60 per color |
| Size upcharge (2XL+) | +$1.50-$3/shirt |
| Folding/bagging | +$0.25-$0.50/shirt |
| Rush production | +20-30% |
| Sample/proof | $15-$30 |
How to Lower Your T-Shirt Cost
1. Order at a price break — 500 vs 250 often costs little more total for the lower per-unit rate 2. Use fewer ink colors — single-color screen is cheapest 3. Stick to standard sizes — minimize 2XL+ upcharges 4. Conventional cotton if ESG isn't required (saves 30-40% vs organic) 5. Single print location — front-only vs front+back
FAQs
How much do 100 custom T-shirts cost?
About $750-$950 ($7.50-$9.50/shirt) for conventional cotton with single-color screen print at 100-MOQ, plus a ~$50 setup fee. Organic cotton runs higher.How much do 500 custom T-shirts cost?
Roughly $2,250-$3,250 ($4.50-$6.50/shirt) for conventional cotton, single-color, plus ~$50 setup. Organic cotton or multi-color designs cost more.What's the cheapest way to print custom T-shirts in bulk?
Single-color screen print on conventional cotton at high volume (1,000+ units), which drops to ~$4/shirt. Screen printing is the most cost-effective method for large orders.Is organic cotton worth the extra cost?
For ESG-aligned brands and buyers (73% prefer eco), yes — organic costs ~30-40% more but uses 82% less water and carries a sustainability story. For pure cost efficiency, conventional cotton wins.What's the minimum order for custom T-shirts?
Typically 50 units for screen print. Some DTG (digital) options allow 24-unit minimums for small runs at higher per-unit cost.Take Action
Related: Custom Apparel Complete Guide · T-Shirts Buyer Guide · Embroidery vs Screen Print · How Much Do Promotional Products Cost?Last updated: May 30, 2026 by openXpromo Editorial Team. Pricing from openXpromo catalog at stated MOQ. Data from PPAI Power Report 2026.