Custom Apparel Printing: Cost, Methods & Turnaround
Table of Contents
- Custom Apparel Printing Methods Compared
- What Custom Apparel Printing Cost Looks Like
- Custom Apparel Printing Turnaround Time: What to Expect
- How to Choose the Right Printing Method for Your Order
- Common Mistakes to Avoid with Custom Apparel Printing
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 8, 2026
Custom Apparel Printing Methods Compared
Custom apparel printing is the process of transferring a design, logo, or photograph onto garments using heat, ink, or sublimation, and the method you pick changes everything about how the finished shirt looks, feels, and lasts. At The Goods ND, we run four methods in-house, and the differences matter more than most buyers expect.
Here's the short version: DTF handles detailed, full-color artwork. Screen printing wins on large single-color runs. Sublimation and UV printing cover specialty jobs the other two can't touch.
DTF Printing
DTF printing is a digital method that prints your design onto a film, coats it with adhesive powder, then heat-presses it onto the garment. It handles gradients, photos, and fine detail without charging you per color.
That last point matters. With screen printing, every color adds a setup cost. With DTF, a ten-color photo costs the same to set up as a two-color logo.
The trade-off: DTF works best on cotton and cotton blends. On 100% polyester, the print can feel stiffer. For most everyday shirts, though, it's the most flexible option we offer.
Custom Screen Printing
Custom screen printing pushes ink through a mesh screen, one screen per color, onto the fabric. It's the method behind most team shirts, event apparel, and bulk orders.
Where it wins: durability and price at volume. A one-color design on 100 shirts costs far less per piece than DTF, because the setup cost spreads across the whole run.
Where it loses: color count. Each additional color means another screen, another setup charge, and more time. If your design has a photo or heavy gradient, screen printing isn't the right call.
Sublimation and UV Printing
Sublimation turns dye into gas and bonds it into polyester fabric. The print becomes part of the shirt, so it never cracks or peels. It only works on light-colored polyester, though, which limits it to performance wear, jerseys, and similar garments.
UV printing cures ink instantly with ultraviolet light. It's the method we use for hard goods and specialty items, and it pairs well with laser engraving for orders that mix apparel with accessories.
What Custom Apparel Printing Cost Looks Like
Custom apparel printing cost depends on three things: the method, the quantity, and the garment itself. More pieces means a lower cost per shirt, because setup charges spread across the order.
Here's how our pricing breaks down for the shirts we sell most:
| Item | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gildan Soft Style Tee | $17.00 | Everyday custom tees, photo prints |
| Gildan 50/50 Blend Tee | $17.00 | Soft feel with added durability |
| Bella+Canvas Tee | $20.00 | Premium fit, retail-style shirts |
| Ray Jays T Shirt | $17.00 | Customizable designs |
| North Dakota Print Design | $5.00 | Adding a design to a shirt order |
The design itself is separate from the blank. A North Dakota print design runs $5.00, and we waive or discount design and setup fees on larger orders after review.
That last part is where most buyers get surprised. Many online printers advertise a low per-shirt price, then add art charges and setup fees at checkout. We'd rather quote the real number up front.
Custom Apparel Printing Turnaround Time: What to Expect
Custom apparel printing turnaround time usually runs one to two weeks for standard orders, and that window holds whether you need 30 shirts or 300. The variables are artwork readiness and stock availability, not order size.
Three things slow an order down:
Customizable T-Shirt, Gildan Soft Style - Add your own design! →
- Artwork that isn't print-ready. Low-resolution files get rejected and sent back, which adds days.
- Garment stock. If your color and size combination is backordered, the whole order waits.
- Peak season. Spring and fall event season fills every printer's queue.
Send us a clean, high-resolution file and confirm your sizes early, and most orders move through without a hitch. If you have a hard deadline, tell us when you order. We'd rather flag a tight timeline upfront than miss it.
How to Choose the Right Printing Method for Your Order
Match the method to your design and quantity, not the other way around. Use this framework:
| Your Situation | Best Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full-color photo or detailed art | DTF | No per-color setup, handles gradients |
| 50+ shirts, 1-3 solid colors | Screen printing | Lowest cost per piece at volume |
| Polyester jerseys or performance wear | Sublimation | Bonds into fabric, won't crack |
| Hard goods or mixed accessory orders | UV printing | Cures instantly, works on rigid items |
| Small order, 30 shirts or fewer | DTF | No minimums, no screen setup |
If you're still unsure, send us your design and quantity. We'll tell you which method fits and why, even if it's the cheaper one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Custom Apparel Printing
Most disappointing custom apparel orders trace back to the same handful of mistakes. None of them are about the printer. They're about what happened before the order was placed.
Uploading a low-resolution image. A file pulled from a phone screenshot or a social media post will print blurry. Send the original file, not a saved copy of a copy.
Guessing on sizes. Bulk orders with wrong size breakdowns can't be fixed after printing. Collect sizes before you order, not after.
Forgetting the fabric. A print that looks great on cotton can behave differently on polyester. Tell your printer what garment you're using.
Skipping the wash test. Ask how the print holds up after repeated washing. If a printer can't answer that, that's your answer.
Getting custom apparel right comes down to matching the method, the garment, and the timeline to what you actually need. That's harder than it sounds when you're ordering for a church group, a construction crew, or a family reunion with a hard deadline.
The Goods ND is a family-owned shop that prints DTF, screen print, UV, and sublimation in-house, so we can recommend the method that fits your order instead of the one that's convenient for us. Every order gets a quality control check before it ships, and we discount major orders after review. Whether you need 30 shirts or 300, shop our custom apparel and get started today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different methods of custom apparel printing?
The main methods are DTF printing, custom screen printing, sublimation, and UV printing. DTF works well for detailed designs on various fabrics. Screen printing is cost-effective for bulk orders with simple designs. Sublimation bonds ink into polyester fabrics for all-over prints. UV printing creates raised, textured designs. Each method suits different order sizes, fabrics, and design complexity, so the right choice depends on your specific project.
How much does custom apparel printing cost?
Cost depends on the printing method, order quantity, and garment type. At The Goods ND, a Gildan Soft Style custom t-shirt starts at $17.00, a Bella+Canvas tee at $20.00, and a Gildan 50/50 Blend at $17.00. Adding a North Dakota design costs $5.00. For bulk orders, discounts are available upon review, so larger quantities bring the per-piece price down. Always ask about setup fees upfront.
Is screen printing or DTF better for custom shirts?
Screen printing is better for large orders of simple designs because the setup cost is spread across many pieces, making each shirt cheaper. DTF printing is better for small orders, detailed artwork, or when you need multiple colors without separate screens. DTF also works on more fabric types, including cotton and blends. For a 30-shirt church event, DTF is often more practical. For 200+ pieces with a simple logo, screen printing usually wins on cost.
How long does custom apparel printing turnaround time take?
The Goods ND offers fast turnaround times and handles orders of all sizes, including small runs. For a deadline in two weeks, confirm your timeline when ordering and ask about rush options if needed.
What should I look for in a custom apparel printing company?
Look for clear pricing with no surprise setup fees, a quality control process, and experience with your garment type, especially for FR work gear. Ask about turnaround times and whether they handle small orders without crazy minimums. A local printer like The Goods ND can offer faster communication and accountability. Check if they provide discounts on major orders and can show examples of previous work.