Short answer: Five items determine the price of a corporate t-shirt: fabric, model (collar type and stitching details), logo technique and number of print areas, order quantity and packaging. When comparing two quotes, check whether these five items are the same.
Fabric
Cotton jersey, piqué (polo collar) and blended fabrics cost different amounts. Weight alone does not indicate quality; the type of fabric and its knit matter too.
Model
Polo and mandarin collar models involve more parts and more stitching than a crew neck. Branded buttons are an extra cost.
Logo technique and number of print areas
| Technique | What affects the cost |
|---|---|
| Screen printing | Number of colours (one screen per colour) and print area |
| Transfer printing | Size of the print area |
| Embroidery | Stitch count (size and density of the logo) |
Chest, back and sleeve are separate applications; each area is added to the unit price.
Quantity
Screens, patterns and machine set-up are fixed costs spread over the quantity. That is why the unit price at 2,500 and 5,000 pieces is lower than at 1,000. You can see the difference for each product in the tiered price calculator.
Packaging and distribution
Individual bagging, sorting by size or branch, and labelling are additional work items; the quote lists them separately.