A custom t-shirt costs $6.50 to $14 per piece to manufacture in bulk at 50–100 units in 240–300 GSM combed cotton with one print and private labels. At 300–1,000 units that falls to $5–$11, and fabric weight, wash and the number of print placements are what move the number.
These are Mike Apparel factory prices, FOB Sialkot, from real quotes. They exclude freight and the sample fee. Below is the breakdown, prices by t-shirt type, what adds cost, and a worked example for a 100-piece oversized tee drop.
What is the cost breakdown of a custom t-shirt?
| Component | Share | Typical range (240 GSM oversized tee) |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton jersey | 40–50% | $2.60 – $4.20 |
| Cutting and sewing | 20–25% | $1.40 – $2.20 |
| Rib, tape, thread | 4–6% | $0.25 – $0.45 |
| Print (one placement, 1–3 colours) | 10–18% | $0.70 – $1.60 |
| Labels, hang tag, bag | 5–7% | $0.35 – $0.60 |
| QC, packing, overhead | 6–9% | $0.40 – $0.75 |
How much does a t-shirt cost by type?
| T-shirt type | 50–100 pcs | 300–1,000 pcs |
|---|---|---|
| Blank private label, 200–240 GSM | $5.50 – $10 | $4.30 – $7.80 |
| Oversized, 240 GSM, one print | $6.50 – $12.50 | $5 – $9.75 |
| Boxy, 240–300 GSM | $6.50 – $12 | $5 – $9.40 |
| Heavyweight, 300 GSM | $7.50 – $14 | $5.85 – $10.90 |
| Long sleeve, 240 GSM | $8 – $14.50 | $6.25 – $11.30 |
| Garment dyed, 230–280 GSM | $8 – $14.50 | $6.25 – $11.30 |
| Vintage wash | $8.50 – $15 | $6.60 – $11.70 |
| Acid wash | $9 – $16 | $7 – $12.50 |
What adds to the price of a t-shirt?
- Weight: each 50 GSM adds roughly $0.60–$0.90 per tee in combed cotton. See the t-shirt GSM guide.
- Print placements: the second and third placement add $0.50–$1.20 each; large back prints over 35 cm add $0.80–$1.50; puff, foil and high-density inks add $0.40–$1.
- Washes and dye: enzyme +$0.40, garment dye +$1.50–$2.50, vintage wash +$2–$3, acid wash +$2.50–$4.
- Construction: tubular vs side-seam is cost-neutral; coverstitch hems, contrast rib and shoulder tape add cents; extended sizes 2XL–3XL add 10–15% for fabric.
- Custom colour: no premium per piece at 100+, but a 100-piece minimum per shade.
Is it cheaper to make custom tees or buy blanks and print?
A premium wholesale blank in 240 GSM costs $9–$14 before printing; add $3–$6 for local screen printing and $0.50 for relabelling and you are at $12.50–$20.50. A custom tee at the same weight, printed and labelled at the factory, is $6.50–$12.50 at 50–100 pieces. Custom wins from the first order on price, and also owns the fit. The exception is a 20-piece test, where blanks avoid the sample fee. Full comparison: cut and sew vs blanks.
Worked example: 100 oversized tees, two colours
Spec: 240 GSM combed cotton, oversized drop-shoulder block, black and bone, one 3-colour front screen print, woven neck label, care label, hang tag, poly bag. Factory price at 50 per colour: about $9.20 per tee, $920. Sample: $35, credited. DDP air to New York: about $220. Landed: $11.40 per tee. Retail at $45 gives a 75% gross margin.
How do I get a t-shirt quote?
Send GSM (or feel), block, quantity per colour, artwork and label needs through the quote form. Browse every style on the t-shirt manufacturer page, or see pricing for all products.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to make 100 t-shirts?
$650 to $1,400 for 100 custom 240–300 GSM tees with one print and private labels, FOB, plus about $150–$300 DDP air freight to the USA. Acid wash or heavyweight tees push it to $1,600.
How much does a blank t-shirt cost to manufacture?
$5.50 to $10 per piece at 50–100 units for a private label blank in 200–300 GSM combed cotton with your neck label, dropping below $5 at 300+.
Is DTG or screen printing cheaper?
Screen printing is cheaper above about 50 pieces per design; DTG is cheaper for under 30 pieces or photographic artwork. We choose per design when we quote.
What is the cheapest t-shirt to manufacture?
A 180–200 GSM cotton-poly tee in a stock colour with a one-colour print: about $4.50 at 300 pieces. It also feels like a promo tee, which is why streetwear brands rarely order it.
Last updated September 5, 2026 · Mike Apparel, Sialkot. Pricing and lead times reflect current factory capacity; confirm on your quote.