How Much Do Custom T-Shirts Cost? A 2026 DFW Pricing Guide
The honest answer to "how much do custom t-shirts cost?" is: it depends — but on a small number of things you control. Here's exactly what moves the price so you can budget your Dallas–Fort Worth order with confidence.
The five things that set your price
- Quantity. This is the biggest lever. Setup costs spread across the order, so the per-shirt price drops sharply as you go from 12 to 50 to 250 shirts.
- Decoration method. Screen printing is cheapest at volume; DTF is best for small, full-color runs; embroidery is priced by stitch count.
- Number of colors / print locations. More screen-print colors and more print locations (front + back + sleeve) add cost. DTF doesn't charge per color.
- The garment. A basic cotton tee costs less than a premium ring-spun or performance shirt. We'll match the blank to your budget.
- Turnaround. Standard is 3–5 business days; a rush can add a fee depending on the job.
Why bulk is so much cheaper
Screen printing has a one-time setup per color. On 12 shirts, that setup is spread thin — the per-shirt cost is high. On 144 shirts, the same setup barely registers. That's why "the more you order, the cheaper each shirt" isn't a sales line — it's how the process works. If you're close to a price break (say 48 vs. 72), it's often worth rounding up.
Small order? You still have great options
You don't need hundreds of shirts to get a good deal. DTF and heat transfer have no minimum, so a handful of full-color shirts is easy and affordable. Embroidery starts at 6 pieces, which is ideal for a small set of branded polos or caps.
What's included (and what to watch for)
- Free mockups — you approve a digital proof before we print.
- No hidden setup on DTF — screen printing has per-color setup; DTF doesn't.
- Bulk discounts kick in automatically as quantity rises.
- Reorders are cheaper — we keep your approved artwork and (for embroidery) your digitized logo on file.
How to get an exact number
Ballpark guides only get you so far — your real price depends on the five factors above. The fastest way to a firm number is to send us the details. Request a free quote with your quantity, artwork, and deadline, and we'll come back within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one custom t-shirt cost?
A single custom shirt is most affordable with DTF or heat transfer, since there's no minimum and no per-color setup. Screen printing a single shirt isn't cost-effective because of the setup — for one-offs, DTF is the way to go.
Is there a minimum order for custom t-shirts?
Screen printing starts at 24 pieces and embroidery at 6 pieces. DTF and heat transfer have no minimum, so we can do a single piece or thousands.
How can I make my order cheaper?
Order more of the same design, keep screen-print colors and print locations to what you need, and choose a standard blank. If you're near a quantity price break, rounding up often lowers the per-shirt cost.
Do you charge setup fees?
Screen printing has a per-color setup fee that's included in your quote; it's spread across the order, so it shrinks per shirt as quantity grows. DTF has no setup fees.
Printing custom t-shirts in Dallas–Fort Worth? Get your free quote — no minimums on most items, bulk pricing, and fast local service from our Irving, TX shop.