One of the most common questions from new brands is: how much does it cost to manufacture t-shirts? The answer depends on fabric, printing, quantity, and shipping. This guide breaks down every cost component so you can budget accurately.
Cost Breakdown Per T-Shirt
- Fabric: $0.80-2.50 per shirt depending on GSM and fiber type. 150 GSM cotton is cheapest; organic cotton and specialty fabrics cost more.
- Cutting and Sewing: $0.30-0.80 per shirt. Complex patterns and oversized cuts cost more.
- Printing: $0.20-2.00 per shirt. 1-color screen print is cheapest; DTG and multi-color prints cost more.
- Labels and Tags: $0.05-0.20 per shirt for custom neck labels and hang tags.
- Packaging: $0.05-0.30 per shirt for poly bags, tissue paper, or custom boxes.
- Shipping: $0.30-1.50 per shirt depending on method (sea vs air) and destination.
Total Cost Ranges
- Budget (150 GSM, 1-color print, 500+ qty): $2.00-3.50 per shirt landed
- Mid-range (180 GSM, 2-color print, 200+ qty): $3.50-5.50 per shirt landed
- Premium (240 GSM, embroidery, 100+ qty): $5.00-8.00 per shirt landed
How Quantity Affects Price
Quantity is the single biggest cost factor. At 25 pieces, you might pay $6 per shirt. At 500 pieces, the same shirt drops to $3. At 5,000 pieces, it could be $2. This is because setup costs (screens, patterns, fabric sourcing) are spread across more units.
Fabric Cost by Type
- 100% Cotton (carded): $0.80-1.20 per shirt
- 100% Cotton (combed): $1.00-1.60 per shirt
- CVC blend: $0.90-1.40 per shirt
- Tri-blend: $1.20-1.80 per shirt
- Organic cotton: $1.50-2.50 per shirt
- Lyocell/Bamboo: $1.80-3.00 per shirt
Printing Cost Comparison
- Screen printing (1 color): $0.20-0.50 per shirt
- Screen printing (4 colors): $0.80-1.50 per shirt
- DTG printing: $0.80-2.00 per shirt
- DTF printing: $0.60-1.50 per shirt
- Embroidery: $1.00-3.00 per shirt
How to Reduce Manufacturing Costs
- Order larger quantities to spread setup costs
- Choose standard fabrics instead of custom-dyed
- Limit print colors (screen printing)
- Use simple garment constructions
- Ship by sea instead of air for large orders
Conclusion
T-shirt manufacturing costs range from $2-8 per piece depending on your specifications. The best way to get accurate pricing is to request a detailed quote with your exact requirements.
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.