How Much Does Custom Screen Printing Cost in 2026?

"How much does it cost to print custom shirts?" is the number one question we get at French Press Custom. The answer depends on several factors, but we believe in pricing transparency — so here is a real breakdown of what custom screen printing costs in 2026.

The Short Answer

For a standard order of 50 t-shirts with a one-color front print on Gildan blanks:

Expect to pay $8 - $12 per shirt all-in.

For 50 shirts on premium Bella+Canvas blanks with a 3-color front and 1-color back:

Expect to pay $14 - $20 per shirt all-in.

But those ranges depend on many variables. Let us break them down.

What Affects Screen Printing Price?

1. Quantity (The Biggest Factor)

Screen printing has an inverse cost curve — the more you order, the cheaper each unit becomes. This is because the setup costs (screens, ink mixing, press setup) are spread across more garments.

| Quantity | Approx. Per-Shirt Cost (1-color) | |----------|----------------------------------| | 12-24 | $15 - $22 | | 25-49 | $10 - $16 | | 50-99 | $8 - $12 | | 100-249 | $6 - $10 | | 250-499 | $5 - $8 | | 500+ | $4 - $6 |

These ranges include the blank garment (mid-range) plus printing. Premium blanks add $2-4 per unit.

2. Number of Colors

Each color in a screen print requires a separate screen, ink, and press pass. More colors mean more setup time and materials.

1 color: Base price
2 colors: Add $1.00-1.50 per shirt
3 colors: Add $2.00-2.50 per shirt
4-6 colors: Add $3.00-5.00 per shirt
7+ colors: Consider simulated process or DTG

3. Number of Print Locations

Each print location (front, back, sleeve, etc.) requires its own setup and press pass.

Front only: Base price
Front + back: Add 60-80% of front price
Add a sleeve print: Add $2-4 per shirt
Full front + full back + both sleeves: This is essentially 4 separate print jobs

4. Blank Garment Choice

The blank t-shirt itself is a significant portion of the total cost.

Gildan 5000: $2 - $3 wholesale (budget)
Bella+Canvas 3001: $4 - $6 wholesale (premium)
Comfort Colors 1717: $5 - $8 wholesale (specialty)
Hoodies, polos, hats: $8 - $25+ wholesale

5. Ink Type

Standard plastisol ink is included in base pricing. Specialty inks cost more:

Plastisol (standard): Included
Water-based: Add $0.50-1.00 per color
Discharge: Add $0.50-1.00 per color
Puff ink: Add $1.25-2.00 per location
Metallic/foil: Add $2.00-4.00 per location
Glow-in-the-dark: Add $1.00-1.50 per location

6. Setup Fees

Most printers charge a one-time setup fee per screen. At FPC, our setup fees are:

$25 per screen (standard)
Setup fees are waived on reorders if we still have your screens
Rush setup fees may apply for expedited orders

7. Art Services

If your artwork is not print-ready, expect art charges:

Simple vectorization: $45
Standard design recreation: $75
Complex color separation: $125

Real-World Pricing Examples

Example 1: School Club Shirts

36 Gildan 5000 tees, 1-color front print
Blank cost: $2.50 x 36 = $90
Printing: $4.00 x 36 = $144
Setup: $25 x 1 screen = $25
Total: $259 ($7.19/shirt)

Example 2: Band Merch

100 Bella+Canvas 3001, 3-color front + 1-color back
Blank cost: $5.00 x 100 = $500
Printing (front): $5.50 x 100 = $550
Printing (back): $2.50 x 100 = $250
Setup: $25 x 4 screens = $100
Total: $1,400 ($14.00/shirt)

Example 3: Corporate Event

500 Next Level 3600, 2-color front
Blank cost: $4.00 x 500 = $2,000
Printing: $2.50 x 500 = $1,250
Setup: $25 x 2 screens = $50
Total: $3,300 ($6.60/shirt)

How to Get the Best Value

Order more at once — jumping from 48 to 72 shirts often barely changes the total
Reduce colors — a bold 2-color design often looks better than a busy 6-color one
Choose a budget blank — if softness is not critical, Gildan saves $2-3 per shirt
Print one location — back prints are cool but double the print cost
Plan ahead — rush fees can add 20-30% to your total
Reorder the same design — no new setup fees

Why Prices Vary Between Printers

If you are comparing quotes, understand that cheaper is not always better:

Print quality — cheap shops cut corners on ink coverage and curing
Blank quality — some shops use no-name blanks and charge premium blank prices
Hidden fees — watch for art fees, setup fees, packaging fees, and shipping
Service level — do they offer design help, mockups, and proofing?

At French Press Custom, our quotes include everything — no hidden fees. We use quality inks, proper curing, and back every print with our satisfaction guarantee.

Get Your Free Quote

Ready to see exact pricing for your project? Request a free quote from French Press Custom. Tell us your quantity, colors, garment preference, and design details, and we will have a quote back to you within 24 hours.

Call us at (562) 407-3800 or fill out our online quote form.

How Much Does Custom Screen Printing Cost in 2026? Pricing Guide