How to Price Custom T-Shirts for Profit: Formula, Costs & Examples
Underpricing is the #1 reason custom apparel side hustles stay side hustles. The fix isn't charging "whatever feels fair" — it's a formula. Here's the one we recommend to the print shops we supply.
The formula
Price = (Blank + Print + Labor + Overhead) × Margin multiplier
Multiplier: 2.5–3× for one-off retail orders, 1.6–2× for bulk orders where volume makes up the difference.
Know your real cost per shirt
| Component | How to calculate | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Blank garment | Wholesale price incl. shipping | $3.75 |
| DTF transfer | Gang sheet cost ÷ designs per sheet | $0.80 |
| Labor | Your hourly rate ÷ shirts per hour | $1.25 ($30/hr ÷ 24) |
| Overhead & misc | Packaging, fees, returns buffer (~10%) | $0.60 |
| True cost | $6.40 |
At 2.5–3×, that shirt retails for $16–$19 wholesale-style or $22–$28 direct to consumer — right where the market already is. If your math says you can't hit those numbers, your transfer cost is usually the problem (see below).
Shrink the print cost with gang sheets
Ordering transfers one by one is the expensive way. A filled 22" × 60" gang sheet holds 40+ left-chest logos or ~12 full-front prints — dropping your per-print cost dramatically. At production volume, bulk sheets run $2/ft, and the Wholesale Program takes up to another 20% off. Our gang sheet guide shows how to fill one efficiently.
Quantity price breaks that protect you
| Order size | Typical price per shirt | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 1–11 | $22–$28 | Setup time dominates — charge for it |
| 12–47 | $14–$18 | One gang sheet, one press session |
| 48–143 | $11–$14 | Bulk sheet pricing kicks in |
| 144+ | $9–$12 | Wholesale transfer rates + repeat client value |
Three pricing mistakes to stop making
- Forgetting your own labor. If you wouldn't press shirts for free for a stranger, don't do it for a customer.
- Matching the cheapest local shop. Compete on turnaround and quality (50+ wash durability is a selling point — show it).
- One flat price for every design size. A 4" left chest and a 12" full back don't cost the same to produce — price by print size, the same way transfers are priced by size.
Put it into practice
Recalculate your true cost this week, set your multiplier, and publish quantity breaks. Then cut the input cost: build your next order in the Gang Sheet Builder and see your per-shirt print cost for yourself.