Custom T-Shirts in DFW: Pricing, Turnaround & How to Order

Ordering custom t-shirts in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex should be simple, but pricing pages online are almost always vague and turnaround estimates are usually optimistic. This guide breaks down what custom t-shirts actually cost in DFW, what determines price, how long a real order takes, and the steps to place one that comes out exactly the way you pictured.

What custom t-shirts cost in DFW

T-shirt pricing has three main inputs: the blank shirt, the decoration, and the quantity. A short overview of the ranges we see locally:

• Basic cotton tee (Gildan, Port & Co.): $4–$8 per blank.
• Premium retail-quality tee (Bella+Canvas, Next Level, Comfort Colors): $7–$14 per blank.
• Performance polyester (Sport-Tek, Nike, Under Armour): $10–$30 per blank.
• Decoration: $3–$10 per shirt depending on method, ink colors, and run size.

The single biggest lever on price is quantity. A 24-piece order and a 240-piece order use the same setup time but very different per-shirt math. Screen printing in particular rewards larger runs.

Realistic turnaround in DFW

Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days after artwork approval and payment. Rush options are real but limited; the earlier you tell us the deadline, the more options stay open. If you need same-week shirts, see our guide to rush and same-day custom shirts in DFW for what is actually possible.

Turnaround is mostly driven by:

• How fast we receive a clean, print-ready logo
• Whether the blanks are in stock at SanMar Dallas or S&S Activewear
• Whether the order is screen print, DTF, embroidery, or a combination
• How many shipments or pickup runs we need to plan

Pick the right decoration for your run

Screen printing

Best for 24+ shirts with 1–4 ink colors. Lowest per-shirt cost once you cross the setup-fee threshold. Holds up beautifully on cotton tees and hoodies.

DTF (direct-to-film) transfers

Best for full-color logos, small runs, and adding individual names or numbers. No minimum, vivid color, and works on cotton, poly blends, and performance fabrics. See our DTF printing guide for details.

Embroidery

Best for polos, caps, jackets, and dress shirts where a clean professional finish matters. More expensive than print but indestructible in the wash. See our embroidery guide for stitch counts and pricing notes.

How to place a clean first order

1. Send your logo as a vector file (.ai, .eps, or layered .pdf). A vector file lets us scale and split colors cleanly. If you only have a JPG or PNG, we can usually redraw it — this just adds a small art fee and a day.
2. Lock the shirt style and color. Bella+Canvas 3001, Gildan 5000, and Comfort Colors 1717 are the most-ordered locally; we will recommend based on the use case.
3. Send a sizing breakdown. Even a rough guess speeds quoting. We can adjust at proof time.
4. Approve the proof. Proofing usually takes one round; reply with any tweaks and we lock production.
5. Schedule pickup or shipping. We can ship across DFW or hold for in-shop pickup.

Custom t-shirts by industry

Different industries optimize for different things. If your order falls in one of these buckets, our industry guides cover product picks and decoration recommendations:

• Construction crews and trades
• Restaurants, bars, and food service
• Gyms, studios, and fitness brands
• Schools, PTAs, and booster clubs
• Churches and nonprofits
• Events and promotional shirts

Request a custom t-shirt quote or contact our DFW team and we will respond same business day.