How Much Does It Cost To Get A Shirt Printed For Different Methods And Quantities

Getting a shirt printed can cost anywhere from £5 to £25 per shirt depending on the method, quantity, and design complexity. The price changes based on whether it’s a single custom shirt or a bulk order for a group or business.

Knowing the typical range helps set clear expectations before placing an order.

The type of printing method plays a major role in the final cost. Screen printing often works best for large batches, while digital printing suits smaller runs or detailed designs.

Extra touches like special inks, multiple colours, or premium fabrics can raise the price.

Those planning a project benefit from understanding not only the base printing cost but also additional expenses such as setup fees or shipping.

With the right approach, it becomes easier to balance quality and budget.

Key Takeaways

• Shirt printing costs vary by method, design, and order size

• Different printing techniques offer unique advantages and price points

• Planning ahead helps reduce extra expenses and keep costs manageable

Factors Affecting Shirt Printing Costs

The price of T shirt printing london depends on several key elements that influence both production expenses and the final quality of the product.

These include the printing technique used, the number of shirts ordered, the type of garment chosen, and the level of detail in the design.

Type of Printing Method

Different printing methods come with varying costs due to equipment, materials, and labour involved.

Screen printing is often more cost-effective for bulk orders because the setup is spread across many shirts, but it becomes expensive for small runs due to preparation time.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing works well for small orders or complex, full-colour designs since it requires no setup screens.

However, per-shirt costs are usually higher than screen printing for large batches.

Heat transfer and vinyl printing offer flexibility for custom names, numbers, or short runs.

These methods usually cost more per unit and may not be as durable as screen printing.

The choice of method depends on order size, design requirements, and durability expectations.

A small order with detailed artwork may be cheaper with DTG, while a large single-colour order is better suited to screen printing.

Quantity of Shirts Ordered

Order size directly affects cost per shirt.

With screen printing, setup costs are fixed, so spreading them across more shirts lowers the average price.

For example:

Quantity	Approximate Cost per Shirt (Screen Printing)
10	£12–£15
50	£6–£8
200	£3–£5

DTG printing does not benefit as much from bulk discounts since each shirt is printed individually.

Still, suppliers may offer reduced rates for larger runs.

Small orders usually cost more per unit, while bulk orders reduce costs significantly.

Businesses or groups often save money by ordering in higher quantities.

Shirt Material and Quality

The type of fabric chosen has a major impact on T shirt printing london costs.

Basic 100% cotton shirts are usually the most affordable and compatible with most printing methods.

Polyester blends can be more expensive and may require specialised inks or techniques, particularly for sublimation printing.

Premium shirts with heavier weights, softer finishes, or eco-friendly fabrics cost more to purchase and print.

For example, organic cotton or performance fabrics may increase the base price by several pounds per shirt.

Durability also matters.

Higher-quality shirts often last longer after washing, which can justify the added expense for events, uniforms, or merchandise.

Choosing the right material balances cost with intended use.

Design Complexity and Colours

The complexity of a design strongly influences cost.

With screen printing, each colour requires a separate screen, so more colours mean higher setup and production costs.

A simple one-colour logo is far cheaper than a detailed, multi-colour illustration.

DTG printing handles full-colour designs without extra setup costs, making it suitable for detailed artwork.

However, large print areas or heavy ink coverage may still increase the price.

Special finishes such as metallic inks, glow effects, or puff printing add further expense.

Placement also matters—printing on both the front and back costs more than a single print location.

A clear, simple design reduces costs, while complex multi-location prints require more time and resources, raising the overall price.

Comparison of Popular Shirt Printing Methods

Printing costs for T shirt printing london vary depending on the technique, quantity, and design complexity.

Each method has distinct pricing structures that make it more suitable for certain order sizes and design types.

Screen Printing Costs

Screen printing often becomes cost-effective for bulk orders because the setup requires creating stencils, or "screens," for each colour in the design.

This initial setup fee can range from £15–£40 per colour, which adds up quickly for multicoloured artwork.

Once the screens are made, the per-shirt cost decreases significantly.

For example, a single-colour print on 100 shirts might cost £2–£4 per shirt, while the same print on only 10 shirts could cost £6–£10 each.

The method works best for simple logos or bold graphics.

However, it is less suited to designs with many colours or gradients, as each additional colour increases both time and cost.

Direct-to-Garment Printing Costs

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing applies ink directly onto the fabric using a specialised printer.

This process requires no screens or setup fees, making it more affordable for small runs or one-off designs.

Pricing usually falls between £10–£20 per shirt for single units, depending on print size and garment quality.

Bulk orders may reduce the cost slightly, but DTG rarely matches the low per-unit price of screen printing for large volumes.

DTG handles full-colour images and detailed graphics well, including photographs.

However, it works best on 100% cotton shirts, and costs increase if printing on darker fabrics due to the need for a white underbase layer.

Heat Transfer Printing Costs

Heat transfer printing involves pressing a printed design or vinyl onto the shirt using heat and pressure.

This method has minimal setup costs, which makes it appealing for small orders and customisation.

Average prices range from £7–£15 per shirt for short runs.

Costs vary depending on the transfer material, with vinyl transfers often being cheaper than full-colour digital transfers.

While this method allows for vibrant colours and custom names or numbers, durability can be lower compared to screen printing or DTG.

Frequent washing may cause cracking or fading, which is an important consideration for long-term use.

Additional Expenses and Considerations

Printing costs extend beyond the base price of the shirt.

Buyers often face added charges tied to setup, design adjustments, and delivery that can significantly affect the total spend.

Setup Fees and Minimum Orders

Many T shirt printing london services charge a setup fee to prepare screens, plates, or digital files for production.

This one-time cost can range from £10 to £50 depending on the method used.

Screen printing usually carries higher setup costs than digital printing because each colour requires a separate screen.

Minimum order requirements also affect pricing.

Some printers may require at least 10–20 shirts per order to make production viable.

Ordering fewer than the minimum can either raise the price per shirt or make the order unavailable.

For small businesses or individuals, these requirements may limit flexibility.

Bulk orders, however, reduce the per-unit cost and help offset setup fees.

Customisation Options

Adding extra features increases the cost of a printed shirt.

Common options include:

• Multiple print locations (front, back, sleeves)

• Specialty inks such as metallic, neon, or glow-in-the-dark

• Embroidery or mixed printing methods

• Personalisation with names or numbers

Each addition typically adds £2–£5 per shirt, though embroidery or premium inks can cost more.

The complexity of the design also matters.

A detailed graphic with many colours requires more time and resources than a simple one-colour logo.

Customers should also consider whether they need colour matching.

Exact Pantone matching often comes at an extra charge but ensures brand consistency.

Shipping and Delivery Charges

Delivery costs vary depending on the provider, order size, and destination.

Standard shipping for small orders within the UK might cost around £5–£10, while bulk orders can exceed £20 due to weight.

Express delivery adds further expense, often doubling the standard rate.

International shipping is significantly higher, and customs duties may apply.

Some companies offer free delivery once orders pass a certain threshold, such as £100 or more.

Factoring in these charges early helps avoid unexpected costs and ensures the final budget remains accurate.

Tips for Reducing Shirt Printing Expenses

The total cost of T shirt printing london depends on order size, fabric selection, and design complexity.

Adjusting these factors can lower expenses without compromising quality.

Bulk Order Discounts

Printers like screen 27 often reduce the price per shirt when larger quantities are ordered.

For example, a single shirt might cost £12, but ordering 50 could reduce the price to £7 each.

Many suppliers use tiered pricing structures.

Ordering in increments, such as 25, 50, or 100 shirts, usually triggers lower rates.

Buyers should always ask for a pricing table before committing, as even a small increase in quantity can produce significant savings.

Bulk orders also cut down on setup costs.

Screen printing, for instance, requires preparing screens, and that cost is spread across all items.

A large run makes the setup charge less noticeable per shirt.

For those unsure about demand, combining orders with others can help.

Groups or clubs can pool requests to reach higher quantity brackets and unlock better discounts.

Choosing Cost-Effective Materials

Fabric choice has a direct impact on T shirt printing london costs.

Cotton is the most common option, but not all cotton is priced the same.

Standard 100% cotton shirts are usually cheaper than premium blends or organic fabrics.

Polyester blends may cost slightly less, but some printing methods, such as sublimation, work only on certain materials.

Selecting a fabric compatible with the chosen print method avoids extra processing fees.

Weight also matters.

A 150gsm cotton shirt typically costs less than a 200gsm version.

While heavier shirts feel more durable, lighter options often balance affordability with adequate quality for promotional use.

When comparing suppliers, it helps to request samples.

This ensures the chosen material meets expectations without paying for unnecessary upgrades.

Simplifying Your Design

Complex designs often increase printing costs. Multiple colours, gradients, or intricate details require more screens or longer print times.

Each colour in t-shirt printing london, for example, adds to the setup and labour expense. A simpler design with fewer colours can reduce costs significantly.

Using one or two solid colours instead of four or five can cut the price per shirt by several pounds. Placement also affects cost.

A single front print is cheaper than printing on both sides or adding sleeve details. Choosing one primary print location keeps expenses lower.

Designers should also consider print size. Large, full-body prints use more ink and take longer to produce.

A smaller logo or centred graphic often achieves the same effect at a reduced price. For affordable t-shirt printing london, screen 27 recommends focusing on simplicity in both colour and placement.

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