Screen printing has setup costs (creating screens), which means it becomes more cost-effective at higher quantities. But what is the minimum number of t-shirts you need?
The Short Answer
Screen printing becomes cost-effective at around 25-50 pieces per design. Below that, DTG or DTF printing is usually cheaper.
Why Quantity Matters
Each screen costs $15-30 to create. A 1-color design needs 1 screen; a 4-color design needs 4 screens. These setup costs are spread across all shirts in the order.
Cost Per Shirt by Quantity (1-Color Design)
- 25 pieces: ~$4.00 per shirt (including setup)
- 50 pieces: ~$2.50 per shirt
- 100 pieces: ~$1.80 per shirt
- 500 pieces: ~$1.20 per shirt
- 1000+ pieces: ~$0.90 per shirt
When Screen Printing Beats DTG
At 25+ pieces with 1-2 colors, screen printing usually becomes cheaper than DTG. At 4+ colors, you need 100+ pieces for screen printing to be cost-competitive.
Conclusion
For 25+ pieces with simple designs, screen printing is your best bet. Get a quote to compare methods for your specific order.
This article was reviewed by our manufacturing team. OEM T-shirts is a professional t-shirt manufacturer with 10+ years of experience, serving 500+ brands worldwide. Learn more about our factory or view our quality certifications.