How Much Does Screen Printing Cost in 2026?
Screen printing costs range from $3 to $15 per shirt depending on quantity, number of ink colors, garment type, and print locations. This pricing guide breaks down every factor so you know exactly what to expect before you order.
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2026 Pricing
Screen Printing Cost by Quantity
Decoration cost per shirt (does not include the blank garment). Prices shown are for standard plastisol ink on standard print areas.
| Quantity | Per Color/Shirt | 1-Color Total | 2-Color Total | 3-Color Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-23Small run pricing | $3.50 | $7-9 | $9-11 | $11-13 |
| 24-47Most popular minimum | $2.75 | $6-8 | $7-10 | $9-12 |
| 48-99Sweet spot for events | $2.25 | $5-7 | $6-9 | $8-11 |
| 100-199Best value starts here | $1.75 | $4-6 | $5-8 | $7-10 |
| 200-499Bulk pricing | $1.25 | $4-5 | $5-7 | $6-8 |
| 500-999High-volume discount | $0.90 | $3-5 | $4-6 | $5-7 |
| 1,000+Best rate available | $0.65 | $3-4 | $4-5 | $5-6 |
* Prices shown are decoration cost only (per shirt, per location). Add garment cost ($3-14 depending on blank). Setup fee of $25/screen is a one-time charge per order. All prices exclude CA sales tax (10.5%).
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The tiers above are starting points. Enter your garment, quantity, ink colors, and print locations for an exact per-piece price - no email required to see it. Real 100-piece screen-print orders quote a median of about $12/shirt all-in.
Price Factors
What Affects Screen Printing Cost?
Six factors determine your final per-shirt price. Understanding them helps you budget accurately and find savings.
Number of Ink Colors
Each color requires a separate screen. A 1-color print is the cheapest. Adding colors increases cost by $0.65-3.50 per color per shirt depending on quantity. Most orders use 1-3 colors.
Garment Type & Quality
The blank garment is a major cost factor. A basic Gildan 5000 tee costs ~$3-4 wholesale. A premium Bella+Canvas 3001 costs ~$5-7. Hoodies, polos, and jackets cost more. We mark up garments at 1.5x wholesale.
Design Complexity
Simple spot-color designs are standard. Halftones, gradients, and simulated process prints require more screens and precise registration, adding to the cost. Keep designs clean for the best pricing.
Number of Print Locations
Each print location (front, back, sleeve, inside tag) is priced separately. A front-only print is cheapest. Adding a back print roughly doubles the decoration cost.
Specialty Inks
Standard plastisol ink is included. Specialty inks like metallic, glow-in-the-dark, puff, discharge (soft hand), or shimmer add $1-3 per piece per location. Water-based inks may add a small surcharge.
Rush Orders
Turnaround depends on order size, decoration complexity, and our current production schedule - most jobs run on a 1-3 week timeline. Rush production may be available case-by-case; surcharges are quoted per project based on the timeline.
Setup Fees
Screen Printing Setup Fee Explained
The setup fee is the most misunderstood part of screen printing pricing. Here is exactly what it covers.
What is the setup fee?
The setup fee is $25 per color per screen. It covers the cost of burning your design onto a mesh screen, which is then used to transfer ink onto your garments. A 1-color design = $25 setup. A 3-color design = $75 setup. A 3-color front + 1-color back = $100 setup (4 screens total).
Is setup charged per shirt?
No. Setup is a one-time flat fee per order, not per shirt. This is why screen printing gets dramatically cheaper at higher quantities - the setup cost is spread across more shirts. At 100 shirts with a 2-color design, setup adds just $0.50/shirt. At 500 shirts, it adds only $0.10/shirt.
Do reorders have a setup fee?
No. We keep your screens on file indefinitely. Reorders of the same design have zero setup fee. This makes repeat orders significantly cheaper. Just tell us it is a reorder.
Real Examples
What Real Orders Actually Cost
Here are three common order scenarios with full price breakdowns so you can estimate your project.
School Spirit Wear (100 shirts)
Garment
Gildan 5000 (Black) $3.50/ea
Decoration
2-color front print $5.50/ea
Setup Fee
$50 (2 screens x $25)
Total Per Piece
$9.00/shirt
Setup fee adds $0.50/shirt at 100 qty. At 200 shirts, setup drops to $0.25/shirt.
Order Total: $950
Business Polo Order (50 polos)
Garment
Sport-Tek ST640 (Navy) $12.00/ea
Decoration
1-color left chest $4.00/ea
Setup Fee
$25 (1 screen)
Total Per Piece
$16.50/polo
Small left-chest prints use less ink and a single screen.
Order Total: $850
Band Tour Merchandise (500 tees)
Garment
Bella+Canvas 3001 (Black) $5.50/ea
Decoration
3-color front + 1-color back $5.60/ea
Setup Fee
$100 (4 screens x $25)
Total Per Piece
$11.30/tee
At 500 qty, setup fee is only $0.20/shirt. Bulk pricing brings total way down.
Order Total: $5,650
Save Money
5 Ways to Reduce Screen Printing Costs
Smart decisions during the planning phase can save you hundreds. Here are our top tips.
1. Reduce colors
Every color you remove saves $0.65-3.50 per shirt. A 1-color design can look amazing and costs 40-60% less than a 4-color print.
2. Order more quantity
Per-unit cost drops dramatically at 100+. If you are ordering 80 shirts, consider ordering 100 to hit a lower price tier.
3. Choose budget-friendly blanks
Gildan 5000 at ~$3.50 vs Bella+Canvas 3001 at ~$5.50. That is $2 per shirt. On 200 shirts, you save $400 just on the blank.
4. Reorder the same design
We keep your screens on file. Reorders skip the $25/screen setup fee entirely. Tell us it is a reorder when requesting your quote.
5. Print one location only
A front-only print costs roughly half what a front + back print costs. If your design works as a single print, keep it simple.
Common Questions
Screen Printing Pricing FAQ
Answers to the pricing questions we hear most from customers placing screen printing orders.
How much does it cost to screen print 100 t-shirts?
What is the screen printing setup fee?
Is there a minimum order for screen printing?
Why is screen printing cheaper in bulk?
Does the color of the shirt affect the price?
How much does a screen printed hoodie cost?
Are there extra charges for large print areas?
How can I get an exact price for my order?
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Every order is unique. Use our instant quote calculator or send us your details and we will have a complete price breakdown for you within one business day.