How much does a shirt cost?

Minnie Longstaff
Jun 13
3 min read

(and Why We Don’t List Prices Online)

It’s one of the most common questions we get at BlackDog Ink—and totally fair enough. When you’re planning a merch drop, ordering uniforms, or getting tees printed for your band or event, budget matters. But if you’ve ever hunted around online trying to compare screen printing prices, you’ve probably noticed something strange: many custom printers (including us) don’t list standard pricing on their websites.

So… how much does a shirt cost? Well, it depends. And here’s why.

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Every Job is Different

No two jobs are ever the same. Seriously—every order we print has its own set of specs, goals and quirks. The number of shirts, the type of fabric, how many colours in the design, where it’s being printed, and how fast you need it—these all influence the final cost.

Here are just a few of the variables we take into account when quoting a job:

Garment style & quality (AS Colour tee vs hi-vis workwear? Big difference!)
Print method (screen printing, DTF or vinyl)
Number of print locations (front only, or front + back + sleeve?)
Number of colours in the artwork
Artwork setup and file prep needs
Quantity (bulk orders are more cost effective)
Turnaround time (need it next week? That affects production)
Add-ons like tag prints, folding, or bagging

Because of this, there’s no one-size-fits-all pricing—and posting “ballpark” prices online often leads to confusion or false expectations.

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What Goes Into the Cost of a Shirt?

Let’s say you’re getting a shirt printed using screen printing (our specialty). Unlike digital print-on-demand services, screen printing requires a fair bit of prep:

We separate your artwork by colour
We burn a screen for each colour
We mix custom inks to match your design
We set up the press for your specific garment and print location
We do test prints to make sure everything looks spot-on
Then—and only then—we start printing

That set-up process takes time and attention to detail, whether we’re printing 20 shirts or 200. So while screen printing gives you top-quality, long-lasting prints, it’s not suited to tiny runs unless we use alternate methods like DTF or vinyl.

That’s why we tailor every quote—to make sure you’re getting the best print method, materials and pricing for your exact needs.

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Why We Quote Every Job Individually

Quoting each job individually allows us to:

Make sure you’re not paying for things you don’t need
Suggest the best method for your timeline and budget
Offer garment options that suit your audience and style
Ensure accuracy (no surprise costs or misunderstandings later)

It also gives us a chance to connect with you, understand your vision, and make sure we deliver something you’re genuinely stoked about.

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Value Over “Cheap”

We’re not in the business of being the cheapest—we’re here to create quality merch that looks good, lasts long, and represents you properly. When we quote you, you’re getting more than just a shirt. You’re getting:

Professional advice
High-quality prints and premium garments
Honest timeframes and communication
Support from a local team who actually care

That’s what we mean when we say “tailored value.”

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So… How Do I Get a Quote?

Easy—just head over to our home page, and hit 'Get a Quote'. We’ll walk you through your options and build a quote that suits your needs, timeline, and budget. No pressure, no fluff—just solid advice and high-quality prints, right here in Port Macquarie.