How Much - Really - Is Good Quality T-Shirt Printing?

How Much Does It Cost to Produce a Good Quality T-Shirt in the UK?

If you’re wondering what truly makes good quality t-shirt printing, breaking down the true cost behind each shirt is key. Especially if you’re ordering in bulk or starting a fashion brand. Let’s help you to break down the key elements involved in pricing a professionally printed t-shirt, using a 300-unit order as a benchmark. You might be printing for resale, merchandise or staff uniforms; this article helps you estimate your budget with accuracy.

Blank Garment Cost
Print Positions and Number of Colours
Finishing Touches and Packaging
Choosing a Reliable Supplier
Useful Tools for Budgeting

Blank Garment Costs for Good Quality Printing Results

The cost of the blank t-shirt is the foundation of your production budget. For a standard midweight 100% cotton t-shirt from a quality brand like AS Colour or Stanley/Stella, expect to pay between £3.50–£8.00 per unit depending on colour, size split and garment model.

Premium fabrics such as organic cotton or heavyweight tees will cost slightly more, but they offer improved durability and feel—important factors for perceived quality and resale value.

Print Positions and Number of Colours

Screen Printing prices are largely influenced by two things: the number of print positions (e.g. front, back, inner neck) and how many colours are used per design. We’ve chosen screen printing for this example, since this is what customers opt for when wanting high-quality, durable prints that last. You can explore other print methods here. For a 300-unit order, prices typically fall between:

1-colour, single-position print: £0.90 per unit
2-colour front and 1-colour back: £2.00 per unit

Screen setup fees may apply. This would include the resources and labour that goes into creating the screen with exposed custom artwork, loading designs onto machinery and more. Additional colours mean more screens, which adds to cost, but also gives more flexibility for creative branding.

Finishing Touches and Packaging

If you want your shirts to stand out as premium, consider garment finishing services. These small details can significantly impact how your brand is perceived:

Woven label application: £1.00 per unit
Printed neck labels (one colour): £0.60-£0.75 per unit
Individually folded & polybagged: £0.40–£0.80 per unit
Custom packaging or inserts: POA depending on material and design

These services not only improve presentation but also protect the garments during shipping and storage.

Choosing a Reliable Supplier for Good Quality T-Shirt Printing

Good quality t-shirt printing isn’t just about the lowest quote. It’s about who delivers your stock consistently, on time and with care. When choosing a UK t-shirt printing supplier, consider:

Minimum order requirements (some charge more for smaller runs)
Nationwide delivery options and fulfilment timelines
In-house finishing capabilities (relabelling, polybagging, etc.)
Environmental credentials if you want sustainable options
Print method knowledge – e.g. are they DTG experts, screen printing specialists or both?

At Teesh, we offer complete print and finishing solutions, fast UK-wide delivery and low to no minimums – making us a flexible partner for clothing brands, merch sellers and marketing teams.

Useful Tools for Budgeting

To simplify the process, we’ve built online tools and resources that allow you to plan your order and see pricing in real-time:

Screen Printing Calculator – Get instant price estimates for bulk screen printing jobs
Resources and Guidelines – Make sure your designs are print-ready to avoid extra costs
Custom Quote Form – For more complex projects including finishing or fulfilment

Design Studio – Create mockups and order your custom printed clothing online if printing with Direct to Garment and Heat Transfer methods.

These tools help you make smarter decisions and avoid hidden costs.

So How Much – Really – Is Good Quality T-Shirt Printing?

Producing a good quality printed t-shirt in the UK — including premium blank garments, multi-position prints and finishing — can range from £6 to £10 per unit for a 300-shirt run. This varies depending on your chosen garments, colours, print methods and extra details. If you’re building a brand or planning a merchandise release, investing in quality pays off with stronger customer satisfaction and repeat sales.

For accurate pricing and tailored advice, feel free to explore our tools or request a custom quote. We’re here to help you bring your vision to life.