How to understand prices for custom T-shirts
In brief: When comparing prices for printed T-shirts, you should check the textile model, grammage, print size, placement, print method, setup, proofing, shipping, and VAT. The price of a small chest print cannot be directly compared with the price of a large front or back print.
How to compare prices for printed T-shirts
An advertised price for 20, 30, 50, or 100 printed T-shirts does not necessarily tell you what the final order will cost.
The term "printed T-shirts" can cover very different solutions. It could be a small logo on the chest, a large design on the front, a back print, or prints in several different places on the garment.
There can also be significant differences in the T-shirt's brand, quality, fit, grammage, and durability.
Therefore, prices for printed T-shirts should not be compared based on the unit price alone. You should compare the overall solution and investigate exactly what is included.
Printbyorder offers quotes from 20 pieces and is particularly competitive for productions of 50 pieces or more.
A small chest print and a large front print are not the same
Some offers are simply marketed as "printed T-shirts," even if the advertised price only applies to a smaller chest print.
This doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad solution. A small chest logo is often the right choice for workwear, associations, staff, and businesses that want a discreet look.
However, the limitation should be clearly stated so that the customer knows what the price covers from the outset.
A chest print of, for example, 9 × 9 cm cannot be directly compared with a large front print or back print of, for example, 28 × 35 cm. Material consumption, production time, and choice of printing method can differ.
At Printbyorder, we therefore specify the exact print size and placement in our fixed package solutions and offers.
What should you investigate when comparing prices?
| The advertisement or offer says | You should investigate |
|---|---|
| 30 printed T-shirts | Is it a chest print, front print, or back print? |
| Low price per T-shirt | What brand and T-shirt model are included? |
| Print included | How large can the print be? |
| Multi-color print included | What printing method is used? |
| Fixed total price | Are setup fees, shipping, or other surcharges added? |
| All sizes | Do 3XL, 4XL, or 5XL cost extra? |
| Logo included | Are file check and graphic adjustment included? |
| Fast delivery | Is delivery time calculated from order or approved proof? |
1. Which T-shirt is included?
Two T-shirts can look almost identical in a product image but have very different qualities.
Therefore, investigate:
- The T-shirt's brand and model.
- The material composition.
- The fabric's grammage.
- Whether the model is unisex, men's, or women's.
- Available colors and sizes.
- Whether large sizes cost extra.
- Whether the T-shirt is suitable for the chosen printing method.
A very low price can be based on a simple campaign T-shirt, while another offer might include a heavier or more dimensionally stable model.
Neither is necessarily wrong. The products just need to be similar for prices to be fairly compared.
2. How big is the print?
Print size is one of the most important pieces of information when ordering printed clothing.
Typical sizes might be, for example:
- Small chest logo: approximately 8 × 8 or 9 × 9 cm.
- Standard chest print: approximately 10 × 12 cm.
- Large front print: up to approximately 28 × 35 cm.
- Back print: often between 25 × 30 and 30 × 40 cm.
- Sleeve print: depends on textile and design.
The exact size depends on the T-shirt's size, the design's proportions, and the chosen printing method.
When comparing prices, you should ensure that the offers apply to roughly the same print size.
3. Where should the print be placed?
An offer with one small chest print cannot be directly compared with an offer that includes both a chest print and a back print.
Possible placements include:
- Left chest.
- Right chest.
- Center front.
- Large front print.
- Upper back.
- Large back print.
- Sleeve.
- Neck.
- Multiple print placements on the same product.
Each additional placement usually requires further production and application.
At Printbyorder, the number of placements is stated in the specific offer.
4. What printing method is used?
The choice of printing method affects price, appearance, and durability.
DTF printing
DTF is suitable for multi-colored logos, detailed designs, and many different textile types. The price depends, among other things, on the print size and number of placements.
DTG printing
DTG prints the design directly onto the textile and is particularly suitable for detailed and colorful designs on cotton textiles.
Screen printing
Screen printing is often advantageous for larger, uniform runs. The price is typically affected by the number of colors, screens, placements, and the need for an underbase.
Embroidery
Embroidery provides an exclusive and professional look and is often used on polos, shirts, caps, jackets, and corporate wear. The price depends, among other things, on the size of the design and the number of stitches.
Printbyorder recommends the method that best suits the design, textile, quantity, and budget.
5. Are setup and proofing included?
A low unit price can change if additional payments are subsequently added for, for example:
- Production setup.
- Films and screens for screen printing.
- Preparation of print files.
- Digital proofing.
- Application of print.
- Extra print placements.
- Individual names or numbers.
- Sorting and special packaging.
- Shipping.
Therefore, it is important to get a complete and itemized price before approving production.
It is always stated in Printbyorder's offer
When you receive an offer from Printbyorder, it will clearly state:
- What brand and textile model the offer applies to.
- Material and grammage, when information is available.
- Number of products.
- Distribution of colors and sizes.
- Print size.
- Print placement.
- Selected printing method.
- Number of print placements.
- What setup and proofing include.
- Any surcharges.
- Shipping.
- VAT.
- Estimated production and delivery time.
You don't have to search an FAQ to find out if a fixed package price only applies to a small chest print. It is stated directly in our package solutions and in the offer you receive.
Compare the complete solution – not just the "starting from" price
The lowest advertised unit price is not necessarily the cheapest solution when the company's real needs are considered.
A good price quote should enable you to answer the following:
- Which T-shirt model will we get?
- How large will the print be?
- Where will the print be placed?
- How many print placements are included?
- What printing method is used?
- Are setup and proofing included?
- Are there surcharges for certain sizes?
- Is shipping and VAT included or specified?
- When can the order be delivered?
- What happens if the print file is not ready?
If you cannot find the answers, you should ask for a specified total price.
Example: Two prices that cannot be directly compared
Offer A
- 50 simple campaign T-shirts.
- Small chest print up to 9 × 9 cm.
- One print placement.
- Standard sizes.
- Shipping is extra.
Offer B
- 50 heavier T-shirts.
- Large front print up to 28 × 35 cm.
- One print placement.
- Digital proofing and file check.
- Shipping specified in the offer.
Even if offer A has the lowest unit price, offer B may be the relevant solution if the customer wants a large visible design.
The deciding factor is therefore not just which price is written in the largest font. The deciding factor is what the company actually receives.
Offers for 20–49 printed T-shirts
Printbyorder specializes in productions of 50 pieces or more, where production costs can often be distributed better, and the price per product therefore typically becomes more attractive.
However, we are also happy to provide quotes for productions of 20 to 49 pieces when the task suits our production capabilities.
We do not produce quantities below 20 pieces.
For smaller runs, DTF or DTG will often be relevant. For larger and uniform runs, screen printing can often be an advantage.
To receive a quote, please send the following information:
- Number of products.
- Desired textile type.
- Colours and sizes.
- Logo or design.
- Desired print size.
- Placement on the clothing.
- Desired delivery date.
- Delivery address.
Frequently asked questions about prices for printed T-shirts
What do 20 printed T-shirts cost?
The price depends on the T-shirt model, print size, placement, and printing method. Printbyorder provides quotes for orders of 20 pieces or more, but does not produce orders under 20 pieces.
What do 30 T-shirts with a logo cost?
There is no single fixed price that suits all solutions. A small chest logo will usually be cheaper than a large front print or prints on both the front and back.
Are 50 T-shirts cheaper per piece than 20 T-shirts?
As a general rule, yes. Setup, proofing, and production preparation can be distributed across more products. For larger orders, more economical production methods can also be chosen.
What does "printed T-shirts" mean in an advertisement?
It should be specified what size and placement the print has. In some offers, the price only applies to a smaller chest print, while larger front or back prints cost extra.
Is setup included at Printbyorder?
For fixed package solutions, it is clearly stated what is included. For individual quotes, we specify setup, file check, proofing, and any surcharges before the customer accepts the order.
Is shipping included?
Shipping must be clearly stated in the specific quote or fixed package solution. The customer must know the total price before the order goes into production.
Are prices inclusive of VAT?
Since Printbyorder primarily deals with businesses, B2B prices are usually quoted exclusive of VAT. This must be clearly stated with all prices and offers.
Can we mix sizes and colours?
It is usually possible to mix sizes. The possibility of mixing textile colours depends on the design, printing method, and specific production.
Can we have prints on both the front and back?
Yes. Each print placement must be specified in the quote. Prints on both the front and back usually cost more than a single placement.
What logo formats should we send?
Vector files such as AI, EPS, and graphic PDF are usually best. PNG can be used if the file has sufficient resolution and preferably a transparent background.
Do we get a proof before production?
Yes, for relevant productions, the customer receives a digital proof with the size and placement of the design, which must be approved before production.
Which printing method should we choose?
It depends on the textile, design, quantity, print colours, and desired result. Printbyorder assesses the task and recommends a relevant production method.
Get a transparent price for your production
Does your company, association, event, or brand need at least 20 T-shirts, hoodies, polos, or other textiles with print?
Send us the quantity, desired textile, sizes, design, and delivery date. We will then prepare a quote that clearly states what the price includes.
Professional content from Printbyorder
Printbyorder supplies clothing and merchandise with print to companies, associations, events, and brands. We offer quotes for orders of 20 pieces or more and specialise in productions of 50 pieces or more.
Last updated: July 2026