Jordan Kim Labels, Packaging & Sustainability Editor at 4OVER4.COM
Jordan is our labels, packaging and sustainability voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
How much do custom t shirts cost to make yourself?
Answer
Doing it yourself is cheap per shirt once you own the equipment. The materials are inexpensive. The real spend is the one-time gear you buy up front. Here is a realistic breakdown.
| Cost | Range |
|---|---|
| Materials per shirt (blank tee plus vinyl or transfer paper) | $3 to $8 |
| Cutting machine (one-time) | $200 to $400 |
| Heat press (one-time) | $150 to $300 |
| Ordering from a print shop, under 100 units | $8 to $15 per shirt |
- After the equipment is paid off, per-shirt cost stays in the $3 to $8 range.
- Buying blanks in bulk and reusing vinyl offcuts pushes your material cost toward the low end.
- For larger runs, a print shop often beats DIY once you factor in your own time weeding and pressing.
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