Core formulas
The formulas to keep straight
Shirt cost = blank shirt + print or transfer + labor minutes / 60 x labor rate + packagingCustom shirt price = shirt cost / (1 - target margin - fee rate)Labor cost = labor minutes / 60 x hourly labor rateProfit = shirt price - shirt cost - selling feesBulk order cost per shirt = blank + decoration + labor per shirt + packagingWhat is the best custom t-shirt pricing formula?
The best custom t-shirt pricing formula is price = shirt cost / (1 - target margin - fee rate). Shirt cost should include the blank garment, decoration cost, labor minutes, packaging, and any cost tied to one finished shirt.
This formula works because it separates cost from profit. A cheap blank can still need a higher price if the design takes time, the transfer is expensive, or the order is a one-off custom job.
Formula and example math in this guide were checked on July 3, 2026. The prices below are cost-model outputs, not universal market averages.
Custom t-shirt pricing inputs
Use one finished shirt as the unit unless quoting a batch.
| Input | What to include | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Blank shirt | Garment cost plus size or color upcharge | Premium blanks need premium prices |
| Print or transfer | DTF, HTV, screen print, sublimation, embroidery | Decoration method changes cost |
| Labor | Prep, pressing, weeding, alignment, packing | One-off jobs can be labor-heavy |
| Packaging | Bag, label, insert, mailer share | Part of unit cost |
| Fee rate | Marketplace or payment fee | Fees come out of the selling price |
| Target margin | Profit after cost and fees | Keeps the product worth repeating |
How should DTF, HTV, and screen print shirts be priced?
DTF, HTV, and screen print shirts should be priced from their own cost structure. DTF can be efficient for short runs. HTV can carry more hands-on labor. Screen printing gets stronger when setup cost is spread across enough shirts.
The table below uses a 6.5% selling fee and 45% target margin. Replace the blank cost, decoration cost, and labor minutes with your own numbers before quoting.
A DTF short-run shirt with $16.15 in cost needs a $33.30 price under this model.
Custom shirt price examples by decoration method
6.5% fee and 45% target margin.
| Shirt type | Cost model | Cost before fees | Recommended price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTF short run | $6 blank + $4.50 transfer + 12 min labor + $1.25 packaging | $16.15 | $33.30 |
| HTV one-off | $6.50 blank + $3.50 vinyl + 18 min labor + $1.25 packaging | $18.75 | $38.66 |
| Screen print batch | $5.50 blank + $2.75 print + 6 min labor + $1 packaging | $11.45 | $23.61 |
| Premium hoodie | $18 blank + $6.50 print + 15 min labor + $1.75 packaging | $31.75 | $65.46 |
How much labor should custom shirts include?
Custom shirts should include prep, design cleanup, pressing, weeding if used, alignment, quality check, folding, and packing. Counting only press time makes the price too low.
A 12-minute DTF shirt at $22 per hour has $4.40 in labor. An 18-minute HTV shirt at $25 per hour has $7.50 in labor. That difference should show up in the quote.
If a buyer sends a messy file, quote design cleanup separately before production starts.
Custom shirt labor examples
Labor cost by time and hourly rate.
| Task time | $20/hr | $25/hr | $35/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 minutes | $2.00 | $2.50 | $3.50 |
| 12 minutes | $4.00 | $5.00 | $7.00 |
| 18 minutes | $6.00 | $7.50 | $10.50 |
| 30 minutes | $10.00 | $12.50 | $17.50 |
How do you price bulk custom shirt orders?
Price bulk custom shirt orders from the real per-shirt cost after setup is spread across the order. A bulk discount should come from lower unit labor or lower print cost, not from removing profit.
If a screen print setup or artwork cleanup fee applies, keep it separate or spread it clearly across the batch. Do not hide setup inside one low per-shirt price unless the quantity is locked.
For most small sellers, it is cleaner to quote a setup fee plus a per-shirt price.
Bulk shirt quote structure
Use the structure that matches the job.
| Order type | Best quote structure | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| One-off custom | Higher per-shirt price | Labor and setup are not spread out |
| Small DTF run | Per-shirt price with design fee if needed | Transfer cost stays visible |
| Screen print batch | Setup fee plus per-shirt price | Quantity determines real unit cost |
| Team or event order | Tiered price by quantity | Prevents accidental underpricing |
| Rush order | Rush fee plus normal price | Rush work affects schedule |
Is print-on-demand pricing the same as custom shirt pricing?
Print-on-demand pricing is not the same as custom shirt pricing. POD has a supplier base cost and platform fee. Custom production has hands-on labor, equipment time, mistakes, and local fulfillment work.
Use custom shirt pricing when you buy the blank, decorate the shirt, and pack the order yourself. Use POD pricing when a supplier prints and ships the product for you.
Mixing the two models can make prices look random and hard to defend.
- Custom production needs labor minutes.
- POD needs supplier base cost and platform fees.
- Local pickup still needs order handling time.
- Design cleanup should be charged in either model.
How do Etsy fees affect custom shirt prices?
Etsy fees affect custom shirt prices because fees come out of the selling price before blank cost, transfer cost, labor, packaging, and shipping label cost. Put fee rate inside the pricing formula.
For a standard US Etsy order with no Offsite Ads, a $33.30 custom shirt has about $3.61 in Etsy listing, transaction, and processing fees before product cost and shipping label cost.
Run the final shirt price through the Etsy Profit Calculator if you sell custom shirts on Etsy.
$33.30 custom shirt Etsy fee check
US standard Etsy fees, no shipping charged, no Offsite Ads.
| Fee line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Listing fee | $0.20 | Standard listing fee |
| Transaction fee | $2.16 | 6.5% of $33.30 |
| Processing fee | $1.25 | 3% + $0.25 |
| Total standard Etsy fees | $3.61 | Before blank, print, labor, packaging, and label cost |
Decision table
Custom t-shirt pricing decision table
Use this before quoting the job.
| Job type | Best pricing move | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| One-off HTV | Price labor high enough | Weeding and alignment take time |
| Short-run DTF | Use transfer cost plus labor | Clean for small batches |
| Screen print batch | Separate setup and unit price | Quantity drives cost |
| Premium hoodie | Use the actual blank cost | Hoodies can double the cost basis |
| Rush custom order | Add a rush fee | Schedule pressure has a cost |
Worked examples
Examples you can compare against your own numbers
Example 1: DTF short-run shirt
A short-run DTF shirt uses a $6 blank, a $4.50 transfer, 12 minutes of labor at $22 per hour, and $1.25 packaging.
| Blank shirt | $6.00 | One garment |
|---|---|---|
| DTF transfer | $4.50 | Decoration cost |
| Labor | $4.40 | 12 minutes x $22/hr |
| Packaging | $1.25 | Bag, label, mailer share |
| Recommended price | $33.30 | 45% margin and 6.5% fee |
Takeaway: The short-run DTF price works because labor and transfer cost are visible.
Open this DTF shirt exampleExample 2: HTV one-off shirt
A one-off HTV shirt uses a $6.50 blank, $3.50 vinyl, 18 minutes of labor at $25 per hour, and $1.25 packaging.
| Blank shirt | $6.50 | One garment |
|---|---|---|
| HTV material | $3.50 | Vinyl and waste allowance |
| Labor | $7.50 | 18 minutes x $25/hr |
| Packaging | $1.25 | Bag and order materials |
| Recommended price | $38.66 | 45% margin and 6.5% fee |
Takeaway: One-off HTV should not be priced like a batch screen-print job.
Example 3: screen print batch shirt
A screen print batch spreads labor and print cost across enough shirts to lower the unit cost.
| Blank shirt | $5.50 | Batch garment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Print cost | $2.75 | Per-shirt decoration cost after setup |
| Labor | $2.20 | 6 minutes x $22/hr |
| Packaging | $1.00 | Per-shirt handling |
| Recommended price | $23.61 | 45% margin and 6.5% fee |
Takeaway: Bulk pricing should improve because the unit cost improves, not because profit disappears.
Action checklist
Before you use this number in the real business
- 1Enter the actual blank shirt cost.
- 2Add the print, transfer, vinyl, or decoration cost.
- 3Track labor minutes from setup through packing.
- 4Add packaging and handling supplies.
- 5Use the sales-channel fee rate.
- 6Choose a margin target before quoting.
- 7Quote setup, rush, and design cleanup separately when needed.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that make the answer look better than reality
FAQs
Questions people ask before making the decision
How do I price custom t-shirts?
Add blank shirt cost, print or transfer cost, labor, packaging, and fees. Then divide by one minus your target margin and fee rate.
What is a good t-shirt pricing formula?
Use price = shirt cost / (1 - target margin - fee rate). Shirt cost should include the blank, decoration, labor, packaging, and handling.
How should I price DTF shirts?
Price DTF shirts from blank cost, transfer cost, labor minutes, packaging, and fees. In the example checked July 3, 2026, a short-run DTF shirt needs a $33.30 price.
How should I price HTV shirts?
HTV shirts should include vinyl, waste, weeding, pressing, alignment, and packing time. One-off HTV usually needs a higher price than batch screen printing.
How do I price bulk shirt orders?
Calculate the per-shirt cost after setup is spread across the batch. Use a separate setup fee when artwork, screens, or special prep create one-time costs.
Is print-on-demand pricing the same as custom shirt pricing?
No. POD pricing starts with supplier base cost and platform fees. Custom shirt pricing must include hands-on labor, equipment time, packaging, and local fulfillment work.
Sources and notes
Where the assumptions come from
Calculator used for the DTF, HTV, screen print, and hoodie pricing examples.
General pricing method used for cost, margin, fee, and market-check decisions.
Official Etsy source for marketplace fee rules when custom shirts are sold on Etsy.
How FeeProofed checks formulas, examples, assumptions, and source notes.