How Much Does Screen Printing Cost?
This is a common question we get asked at our screen printing shop in Salt Lake City: How much will my project cost? There are quite a few factors that determine your final costs, like order size, the complexity of the design and the type of garments you want screen printed. So we put this guide together to help you plan for your custom apparel for your business or event, and what those pricing factors will be so you can budget accordingly and choose the right screen print provider.
What are your set-up fees, and why do you charge them?
Every screen printing job requires setup work that many customers don’t realize. “Setup fees are basically just covering the labor that it takes to set up your job or to transition the machine from printing another job to your job,” explains Justin Leader, founder of JC Pro Design in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The setup process involves pulling old screens from the press, loading new ones, taping screens, pulling specific ink colors from inventory, and registering the job to ensure perfect alignment. At JC Pro Design, screens are reclaimed within 24 hours after completion, meaning any reorders require full setup again.
How much can I expect to pay for custom screen printing?
For a one-color print on 24 shirts, expect to pay between $11-$35 per item depending on garment quality. Basic 100% cotton shirts sit at the lower end, while premium brands like Nike or Under Armour command higher prices.
Order quantity dramatically affects per-piece pricing. Moving from 24 to 100 pieces can save at least $1.25 per shirt. This volume discount reflects the fixed setup costs being spread across more items.
What factors will add to my overall cost of apparel printing?
Dark-colored shirts require an underbase (white ink layer) to achieve true color representation, adding an extra color charge to your print. Sizes 2XL and larger incur additional fees that suppliers pass along to print shops.
Rush requests and special printing locations beyond standard chest placement increase costs. Specialty techniques like puff printing or metallic inks also carry premium pricing.
“All specialty inks or specialty print processes are going to be more expensive,” notes Leader. Complex artwork with gradients or multiple colors requires more time for color separation, potentially increasing those setup fees.
Why shouldn’t I just go with the cheapest screen print shop?
When comparing print shops, price alone can mislead you. “The biggest thing is custom ink & printful. They farm out the majority of their work… you have no control over which printer they send it to in their network,” Leader warns about online printing services.
JC Pro Design has screen printed over one million items with consistent quality controls. They use higher-quality low-cure poly inks for brighter whites and softer feel, plus color spectrometers for Pantone matching—equipment many local shops lack.
What information should I give for an accurate estimate?
To receive an accurate estimate, provide your design artwork so printers can assess color count and placement locations. Include estimated quantities and specify any brand preferences for shirts.
Standard lead time runs about two weeks, though this extends during busy seasons. Planning ahead prevents rush charges and ensures better pricing.
The most common customer mistake? Not understanding artwork color requirements. Gradients and complex AI-generated images with multiple colors can be impossible or expensive to screen print effectively.
How can I get the best value for my money?
Consider your cost per impression when selecting garments. Premium shirts that people actually want to wear provide better long-term marketing value than cheap options that shrink or fade quickly.
For trade shows or promotional events, ordering slightly more than needed makes financial sense since higher quantities reduce per-piece costs and promotional products generate significant customer engagement. Studies show that 94% of consumers like receiving promotional products, and free t-shirts attract significant attention at events.
Local screen printers like JC Pro Design, ranked the best custom screen printing company in Utah, offer consistent quality, faster turnaround, and direct communication—advantages that online services farming work to unknown facilities simply can’t match. For more guidance on creating effective custom apparel for your business, check out our complete guide to custom apparel in Utah.
