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If you are ordering custom T-shirts for a business, event, sports team, staff uniform, fundraiser or promotional campaign, one of the first questions you will probably ask is: how much does custom T-shirt printing cost in Toronto?
The short answer is that there is no single price that applies to every order.
The cost of a custom printed T-shirt depends on the shirt you choose, how many pieces you order, the printing method, the complexity of your artwork, how many locations are being printed and how quickly you need the order completed.
As a general Toronto market benchmark, custom printed T-shirts can range from around $10 to $30+ per shirt, with larger orders usually achieving a much lower cost per piece. Recent Canadian pricing guides show that simple bulk screen-printed shirts can fall below $10 per piece at higher quantities, while smaller orders often cost considerably more.
Here is what actually affects the price and what you should consider before requesting a quote.
How Much Does a Custom Printed T-Shirt Cost in Toronto?
For budgeting purposes, a typical custom T-shirt order may fall within these approximate ranges:
| Order Quantity | Approximate Cost Per Shirt |
|---|---|
| 1–10 shirts | $20–$35+ |
| 10–24 shirts | $18–$30 |
| 25–49 shirts | $14–$24 |
| 50–99 shirts | $10–$20 |
| 100+ shirts | $8–$18+ |
These are only general market estimates. The final price can move higher or lower depending on your garment, artwork and printing requirements.
For example, recent Toronto and Canadian print-industry pricing guides show screen-printed orders of around 50 shirts commonly falling somewhere around the low-to-high teens per shirt, while simple bulk orders in the hundreds can fall below $10 depending on the garment and design.
That is why the best way to price a custom apparel project is to provide the printer with the exact quantity, shirt type, design and deadline.
What Determines the Cost of Custom T-Shirt Printing?
Two orders for 50 T-shirts can have very different prices.
A simple company logo printed in one location on a standard cotton shirt will usually cost less than a full-colour design printed on the front and back of a premium heavyweight T-shirt.
These are some of the biggest factors that affect your final price.
1. The Number of T-Shirts You Order
Quantity is one of the biggest factors in custom T-shirt pricing.
In most cases, the more shirts you order, the lower the cost per shirt becomes.
Printing equipment requires setup, artwork preparation and production time whether you are ordering 20 shirts or 200. When those setup costs are spread across a larger order, the cost per unit becomes lower.
For example, ordering 100 shirts is not usually twice as expensive per piece as ordering 50. Larger orders can qualify for better volume pricing.
If you are ordering T-shirts for employees, an event or a promotional campaign, it can therefore be worth estimating your total requirement before splitting the order into several smaller batches.
2. The Type of T-Shirt You Choose
The blank T-shirt itself forms part of the cost.
A basic cotton T-shirt suitable for an event giveaway will normally cost less than a premium ringspun cotton shirt, heavyweight tee or specialised performance garment.
You may also see different pricing based on:
- Fabric weight
- Cotton quality
- Cotton/polyester blends
- Moisture-wicking fabrics
- Premium apparel brands
- Men’s, women’s or unisex fits
- Extended sizes
- Specialty colours
Choosing the cheapest shirt is not always the best option.
If the shirts are being used as employee uniforms or sold as merchandise, comfort, durability and fit can matter just as much as the initial price.
For one-time promotional events, on the other hand, a good-quality standard T-shirt may be more cost-effective.
3. The Printing Method
The printing technique used can significantly affect the total cost.
Different methods work better for different quantities and designs.
Screen Printing
Screen printing is one of the most common methods used for larger T-shirt orders.
It works particularly well for:
- Company logos
- Simple artwork
- Large quantities
- Designs with a limited number of colours
- Staff uniforms
- Event shirts
- Promotional apparel
Because screen printing requires setup, it generally becomes more economical as the quantity increases.
For a large order with the same design on every shirt, screen printing can offer a very competitive per-shirt cost.
DTF Printing
Direct-to-film, commonly called DTF printing, is useful for detailed and full-colour designs.
It can be a good choice when artwork contains gradients, multiple colours, fine details or photographic elements.
DTF can also be practical for smaller quantities because it does not rely on the same colour-by-colour screen setup associated with traditional screen printing.
For businesses that want colourful logos or promotional artwork without ordering hundreds of shirts, DTF can be worth considering.
Embroidery
Embroidery is another option for branded apparel, although it is used more frequently on polos, jackets, caps and professional uniforms than on standard promotional T-shirts.
Instead of printing ink onto the fabric, your logo or design is stitched directly into the garment.
Embroidery generally creates a more textured, premium appearance, but pricing can depend on the size and stitch count of the design.
When comparing custom apparel options, consider how the clothing will actually be used rather than selecting a decoration method based only on price.
4. How Many Print Locations You Need
Where you want your design printed also affects the price.
A shirt with one logo on the front will normally cost less than a shirt with:
- A front logo
- A large back design
- Sleeve printing
- Multiple logos
Each additional print location adds another production step.
For example, a business ordering employee T-shirts might only need a logo on the left chest.
An event organiser might want an event logo on the front and sponsor logos across the back.
Both orders may use the same T-shirt, but the second design will usually cost more because more printing is required.
5. The Number of Colours in Your Design
Colour complexity can affect pricing, particularly with screen printing.
Traditional screen printing normally requires individual screen preparation for each ink colour in a design.
A simple one-colour logo can therefore be more economical than artwork containing several separate colours.
For highly colourful artwork, another printing method such as DTF may sometimes make more sense.
Your printer should be able to recommend the best approach based on the artwork rather than forcing every design into the same production method.
6. Your Artwork Quality
Having print-ready artwork can make the ordering process much easier.
Ideally, logos should be provided in a high-quality or vector format whenever possible.
Files such as:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
- Print-ready PDF
are commonly useful for professional printing.
A high-resolution PNG may also work for certain applications.
Low-resolution images copied from websites, screenshots or compressed social-media graphics may need to be recreated or cleaned up before printing.
That can potentially add extra artwork preparation time or cost.
If you are unsure whether your file is suitable, send it to the printer before placing your order.
7. Standard vs Rush Turnaround
Need your shirts tomorrow?
Expect the cost to potentially increase.
Rush production can require a printer to rearrange existing production schedules, prioritise your artwork and dedicate equipment to completing the job quickly.
Standard production timelines are therefore usually more economical.
When ordering shirts for a conference, trade show, company event or tournament, try to place your order well before the event date.
It also gives you time to review artwork, confirm sizing and make any necessary changes before production begins.
Example: How Much Could 50 Custom T-Shirts Cost?
Suppose a Toronto business wants 50 branded T-shirts for employees and an upcoming promotional event.
The order includes:
- 50 standard cotton T-shirts
- One company logo
- One front print location
- Standard turnaround
- The same artwork on every shirt
Depending on the garment and printing method, a realistic Toronto market budget might be somewhere around $12 to $20 per shirt, or approximately $600 to $1,000 before applicable taxes and any additional services.
Current Toronto pricing examples show significant variation between providers, reinforcing why these numbers should be treated as estimates rather than fixed prices.
Change the order to a premium T-shirt, add a large back print and request a rush turnaround, and the overall price could increase considerably.
Is Screen Printing Cheaper for Bulk T-Shirts?
Often, yes.
For designs that are suitable for screen printing, the method becomes increasingly cost-effective as quantity rises because setup costs are distributed across more garments.
For example, screen printing may make much more financial sense for 100 or 250 identical company shirts than for five shirts.
However, quantity is not the only consideration.
A complex full-colour design may still be better suited to another printing method.
The goal should be to use the printing method that provides the right balance of:
- Quality
- Durability
- Design accuracy
- Quantity
- Price
rather than simply choosing the cheapest process.
How Can You Reduce the Cost of Custom T-Shirt Printing?
There are several ways to control your budget without sacrificing the overall quality of the finished product.
Order More at Once
If you know you will need additional shirts soon, ordering them together can help you access better volume pricing.
Keep the Design Simple
A strong one- or two-colour logo can often be more economical to produce than complicated multi-colour artwork.
Simple does not necessarily mean boring. Many effective branded shirts use minimal artwork.
Reduce Print Locations
Ask whether you really need printing on the front, back and sleeves.
A well-positioned front or back design may be enough.
Choose the Right Garment for the Purpose
A promotional giveaway and a staff uniform do not necessarily require the same type of shirt.
Spend more where comfort and longevity matter, and use cost-effective garments where appropriate.
Avoid Last-Minute Orders
Planning ahead gives you more production options and reduces the likelihood of rush charges.
Should You Order Custom T-Shirts Locally in Toronto?
Working with a Toronto custom printing provider can be particularly useful when you have an important deadline or want help choosing the right garment and printing method.
Instead of simply uploading artwork and hoping for the best, you can discuss factors such as:
- T-shirt quality
- Sizing
- Print placement
- Artwork requirements
- Colour reproduction
- Order quantity
- Production method
- Turnaround
For companies ordering staff uniforms, promotional apparel or event merchandise, those decisions can have a major impact on the finished product.
Get a Custom T-Shirt Printing Quote in Toronto
There is no universal price for custom T-shirt printing because every project is different.
A simple 100-piece staff order may require a completely different production approach from 15 full-colour promotional shirts.
Before requesting a quote, try to have the following information ready:
- Approximate quantity
- Preferred T-shirt style or material
- Shirt colours
- Sizes required
- Your logo or artwork
- Number of print locations
- Required completion date
With those details, a printer can recommend an appropriate production method and provide a much more accurate quote.
NextLeaf Prints & Design provides custom printing and branded apparel services in Toronto, including T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, sweatshirts and other custom apparel options.
If you are planning an order for your company, team, event or organisation, explore our custom apparel options or request a quote based on your quantity, artwork and deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom T-Shirt Printing Costs
How much does it cost to print one custom T-shirt in Toronto?
Single-shirt and very small orders generally have a higher cost per garment because there is less volume over which to spread production and setup costs. Depending on the shirt and printing method, small orders can cost $20 to $35 or more per piece.
How much do 50 custom T-shirts cost?
A rough Toronto budget for 50 standard printed T-shirts could be approximately $600 to $1,000, although premium garments, additional print locations and complex artwork can increase the total.
Does custom T-shirt printing get cheaper when you order more?
Generally, yes. Most printing methods offer better per-unit economics at higher quantities, especially for repeat designs.
What is the cheapest method for custom T-shirt printing?
For larger orders with relatively simple artwork, screen printing is often one of the most cost-effective options. For smaller quantities or detailed full-colour designs, methods such as DTF may offer better overall value.
How long does custom T-shirt printing take in Toronto?
Turnaround varies according to the printer, quantity, garment availability, artwork and production method. If you have a fixed event date, confirm the production timeline before placing the order.
What information do I need to get an accurate T-shirt printing quote?
Provide the quantity, shirt type, sizes, garment colour, artwork, number of print locations and required delivery or pickup date. The more information you provide, the more accurately your project can be quoted.
