The cost of custom T-shirt printing in Australia depends on the shirt, the printing required and how the order is produced. To compare your options fairly, look at the complete order total: the garments, all print positions, any additional services and delivery.
A front-only print on a basic tee is a different job from a premium garment with front and back artwork and an urgent deadline. Both can offer good value when they suit the purpose.
This guide explains what changes the cost, which questions to ask and how to avoid paying for options you do not need. For current pricing, use the custom printed T-shirt range and select your exact requirements.
TL;DR: What affects the cost?
- The garment: fabric, fit, construction and style affect the starting cost.
- The printing: print method, size and number of positions influence the work involved.
- The order: quantity, individual names and production urgency can change the total.
- The artwork: print-ready files help avoid delays and the need for separate design work.
- The complete price: compare the same specifications, including delivery and any extras.
- The best saving: plan ahead, choose a suitable shirt and order the quantity you will actually use.
What should a custom T-shirt printing price include?
First, establish whether you are comparing a finished printed shirt, printing on a garment you supply, or a transfer you must apply yourself. These are different products and services.
For a finished shirt, use this checklist:
Complete order cost = garments and selected printing + any separately charged services + delivery. Check whether GST is included in each price you compare, and do not add charges again if they are already included.
A “from” price may represent only the starting configuration. Select the actual garment, sizes, quantities and print options before comparing it with another supplier’s total.
The main factors that affect custom T-shirt printing cost
1. Garment fabric, fit and construction
The blank shirt forms part of the finished product’s cost. Fabric composition, weight, cut, stitching and finishing can all influence its price.
Choose for the wearer and purpose. A promotional event may call for a practical basic tee, while merchandise may need a particular fit and feel. A heavier shirt is not automatically better: comfort, climate and intended use matter too.
Compare the actual garment specifications and size chart rather than relying only on brand names or labels such as “premium”.
2. Print size and number of positions
A front print and a back print are two separate placements. Each adds production work, even when both use the same artwork.
Print size can also affect material use and the process required. However, a smaller logo is not automatically cheaper if the product uses a set price for a print position. Check the selected product’s inclusions.
For an accurate comparison, specify the approximate width and height of each design. “Logo on the front” leaves too much room for different interpretations.
3. Quantity and consistency
Producing several shirts with the same design can spread order preparation and handling across more items. That can make a larger run more economical per shirt, depending on the product and pricing structure.
Repeated artwork is different from an order where every shirt needs a different design, name or number. Individual variations require organisation and may affect pricing or service suitability.
Check the requirements of the bulk custom T-shirt range before assuming that a mixed order qualifies for the same pricing as a matching run.
4. Production urgency and delivery
Priority production can cost more because the order must fit into a shorter production schedule. Planning ahead gives you more flexibility when choosing your service.
Production time and delivery time are separate. Express postage speeds up the delivery service after dispatch; it does not automatically move your printing into an express production queue.
For a deadline, check the selected product’s handling estimate and allow for transport. Refer to our handling, dispatch and deliveries policy for the service details.
5. Artwork preparation
A detailed image can be ready to print, while a simple logo copied from an email signature may need rebuilding. Visual complexity and file quality are different things.
Supply artwork that is sharp at its intended print size, with correct spelling and no unwanted background. Do not assume that ordering a printed shirt includes redrawing, proofreading or background removal. Our print-ready artwork guide explains how to prepare your file.
Does the printing method change the price?
Yes, but no printing method is the cheapest for every order. The design, fabric, quantity and required finish all matter.
- DTG — direct-to-garment: prints ink directly onto suitable fabric. It can suit detailed images and cotton garments. Garment preparation and ink coverage contribute to the production work.
- DTF — direct-to-film: prints a design onto film before heat application to the garment. Transfer production and application both form part of the finished-shirt cost.
- Screen printing: uses prepared screens to apply ink. Setup can represent a larger share of a small order, while repeated designs can make that setup more economical across a longer run.
DTG and DTF do not require a separate physical screen for every artwork colour. Changing a full-colour design to one colour will therefore not necessarily reduce the price of a digitally printed shirt.
For a fuller comparison, read DTF vs DTG vs screen printing. This comparison explains the processes; it does not mean every method is available on every product.
How to compare custom T-shirt printing quotes fairly
Give each supplier the same brief. Otherwise, a lower quote may simply include a different shirt, smaller print or fewer services.
| Compare | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Garment | Exact style or equivalent specifications, fabric, fit, colour and size breakdown. |
| Printing | Width, height and position of every print, plus the intended finish. |
| Quantity | Total shirts and any conditions for combining designs, styles or sizes. |
| Personalisation | Whether each shirt is identical or needs individual artwork, names or numbers. |
| Artwork and setup | What is included and whether any preparation is charged separately. |
| Timing | Production estimate, dispatch expectations and delivery or collection arrangements. |
| Final total | All selected options, any applicable extra charges, delivery and GST treatment. |
For matching orders, divide the complete order total by the number of shirts to compare the effective cost per shirt. For mixed garments or different print configurations, compare those items separately as well.
Choosing an option for your order
A one-off gift or personal shirt
Focus on the right fit, a suitable garment and the print you actually want. Increasing the order solely to lower the unit price makes little sense if you only need one shirt.
Staff, club or event shirts
Collect sizes and agree on the design before ordering. Decide whether a second print position adds useful information, such as identifying staff from behind, or simply adds cost.
Merchandise for resale
Consider fit, print feel and how the product represents your brand. Where available, a paid sample can help you assess the combination before committing to a larger run. Order quantities should reflect likely demand, not just a lower unit price.
An urgent order
Begin with the deadline and suitable products. Check the express custom printed range or same-day custom printed range for current options and conditions. Same-day production should not be interpreted as same-day delivery.
How to save without compromising the result
- Plan around the date you need the shirts. Allow time for preparation, production and delivery.
- Choose a garment for its purpose. Pay for the fit and fabric you need, rather than an unnecessary upgrade.
- Use print positions deliberately. Keep the placements that make the design useful or appealing.
- Finalise artwork before ordering. Check spelling, backgrounds and print dimensions.
- Confirm the size list. Use the selected garment’s measurements rather than guessing from another brand.
- Combine matching orders where practical. Check eligibility before assuming a discount applies.
- Compare the complete total. A low starting price alone does not establish better value.
For garments worn regularly, value also includes comfort, suitability and how well the finished shirt meets its purpose. A cheaper garment that nobody wants to wear can be a poor purchase.
Is bringing your own T-shirt cheaper?
Not necessarily. BYO printing means supplying your own garment, but printing still requires preparation, handling and production.
Compare the garment’s purchase cost, the printing charge and any transport costs with the price of a supplied-and-printed shirt. If you already own the garment, the additional cash cost may be lower, but its suitability still matters.
Fabrics, dyes, coatings and garment construction can respond differently to printing and heat. Read our BYO T-shirt printing requirements and supplied-garment conditions before buying or sending shirts for printing.
How to find your current order price
- Browse the custom printed T-shirts and apparel.
- Select a suitable garment and production service.
- Choose your colours, sizes and quantities.
- Add your artwork and the required print positions using the available product options.
- Review the configured price, inclusions and handling estimate.
- Check the complete checkout total and delivery or collection options before paying.
If the online options do not cover your requirements, contact T Shirts Australia with the garment details, size breakdown, artwork, print dimensions, quantity, delivery postcode and required date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to print one custom T-shirt?
The price depends on the selected shirt, print positions and service. Configure a suitable product to see its current price, then check the complete total. A bulk advertised unit price may require a quantity that does not apply to a single-shirt order.
Is there a minimum order?
Minimum quantities depend on the product or service. Check the selected listing, particularly for bulk products. Do not assume that a minimum applying to one range also applies to every other custom printing option.
Is a full-colour print more expensive than a one-colour logo?
Not automatically with DTG or DTF. Digital pricing may depend more on the product, print area and placements than the number of design colours. Screen printing has a different setup structure, so colour count can have a greater effect.
Does a smaller chest logo cost less than a large front print?
It may, but some products include a set price for one print position within an allowed area. Reducing the design size will not necessarily change that price. Check the product options before changing the artwork just to save money.
Does front and back printing cost more?
It usually does because the back is an additional print position. Check whether both positions are already included in a package or whether the extra position is added separately.
Are artwork design and setup included?
Check the service inclusions. Printing a supplied file is different from creating or repairing artwork. Digital printing does not use traditional screen setup, but that does not mean every preparation task or design service is included.
Can I mix sizes and still receive bulk pricing?
That depends on the product’s pricing rules. Check whether the offer allows mixed sizes and whether the garment, artwork and print positions must remain consistent. Different garments or individual designs may be treated separately.
Will names and numbers change the cost?
They can. Individual names or numbers introduce variations that must be matched to the correct shirts. Confirm service availability and pricing, and supply a clear list linking each variation to its garment size.
Does Express Post include express printing?
No. Postage and production are separate choices. Select a suitable production service and check the delivery option independently. Our handling and delivery policy explains the distinction.
What is the most economical way to order custom T-shirts?
Choose a suitable garment, include only the print positions you need, supply finished artwork and allow enough time for your selected service. Compare the complete cost for the quantity you will use, rather than buying unnecessary shirts to reach a lower unit price.
About the author
David Seth owns and operates T Shirts Australia, the Brisbane business that began as The Custom T Shirt Shop. His work in garment printing informs the practical focus of this guide. Learn more about David and the business.
For help with garment selection, artwork and ordering, read our custom T-shirt printing guide.
