Sari's Creations

How Much Does Custom Apparel Cost?

A Texas Buyer's Guide to Embroidery, Screen Printing & DTF Printing


If you're shopping for custom T-shirts, embroidered polos, hats, uniforms, or personalized apparel, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is:

"How much does custom apparel cost?"

The honest answer is...
It depends.

The good news is that custom apparel is more affordable than many people expect. Whether you're ordering a single embroidered gift, a dozen company polos, or hundreds of event T-shirts, there are options to fit almost every budget.

Instead of focusing on specific prices—which can change depending on garment brands, decoration methods, and order size—this guide explains the biggest factors that influence pricing so you can make an informed decision before placing your order.

What Affects the Price of Custom Apparel?


Several factors determine the final cost of your order. Understanding these variables can help you choose the right decoration method while staying within your budget.
 

1. The Type of Decoration


The decoration method you choose has one of the biggest impacts on cost.
 

Embroidery

Embroidery uses high-quality thread stitched directly into the garment. It creates a premium, professional appearance that's ideal for company polos, hats, jackets, scrubs, and uniforms.

Embroidery generally costs more than printed apparel because each design is sewn stitch by stitch, but it's also one of the most durable decoration methods available.
 

Screen Printing

Screen printing is often the most economical option for larger orders of T-shirts and promotional apparel.

Once the screens are created, producing additional shirts becomes much more efficient, making screen printing an excellent value for schools, churches, sports teams, businesses, and community events.
 

DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing

DTF printing bridges the gap between embroidery and traditional screen printing.
Because there are no screens to prepare, DTF is often an excellent choice for smaller quantities, full-color artwork, photographs, gradients, and highly detailed designs.
 

2. Quantity Matters

One of the biggest pricing factors is simply how many items you're ordering.

For example:
  • One embroidered polo will generally cost more per shirt than ordering twelve.
  • Fifty screen-printed shirts usually cost less per shirt than ordering ten.
  • Larger orders often reduce the average cost per item because setup costs are spread across more garments.
     
If you're planning an event, fundraiser, or company uniform order, combining everyone's apparel into one order can often save money.
 

3. The Garment You Choose


Not every shirt costs the same.

A basic cotton T-shirt costs much less than:
  • Performance moisture-wicking shirts
  • Premium fashion brands
  • Heavyweight hoodies
  • Softshell jackets
  • Quarter-zips
  • High-end polos
     
The garment itself is often one of the biggest parts of the total project cost.
 

4. Design Size & Placement


The complexity of your design also affects pricing.

Examples include:
  • Left chest logo
  • Full front graphic
  • Full back print
  • Sleeve logo
  • Multiple print locations
     
More decoration usually means more production time and materials.
 

5. Number of Colors
 

For screen printing, the number of ink colors matters.

A simple one-color logo is generally less expensive than a detailed design with several colors.

DTF printing makes full-color artwork much easier, which is one reason it's become so popular for smaller orders.

🪡 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Which Option Gives You the Best Value?


Rather than asking which method is the cheapest, it's better to ask:

Which method gives me the most value for my project?
 

Business Uniforms

Best Choice: Embroidery
Professional appearance, excellent durability, and a polished image that represents your business well.
 

Company T-Shirts

Best Choice: Screen Printing
Ideal for larger employee groups, promotional events, and everyday work shirts.
 

Small Orders with Full-Color Artwork

Best Choice: DTF Printing
Perfect when you only need a handful of shirts without paying for traditional screen setup.

Personalized Gifts


Best Choice: Embroidery
Monograms, names, towels, blankets, bags, and keepsakes all benefit from the premium look of stitched designs.

🪡 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Typical Custom Apparel Projects


 

👔 Small Business Uniforms

Recommended: Embroidery
If you're outfitting employees with polos, hats, or jackets, embroidery creates a polished, professional look that holds up beautifully over time. It's an excellent choice for contractors, medical offices, restaurants, landscapers, and many other local businesses.
 

🎉 Events & Fundraisers

Recommended: Screen Printing
Hosting a charity event, school fundraiser, church gathering, or company picnic? Screen printing is often the most cost-effective option for larger groups while producing vibrant, eye-catching designs.
 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Reunions & Celebrations

Recommended: DTF or Screen Printing
Whether you're planning a reunion, birthday party, or vacation shirts, the best decoration method depends on your quantity, artwork, and budget. Full-color graphics often make DTF an excellent option for smaller orders.
 

🎁 Personalized Gifts

Recommended: Embroidery
Monogrammed towels, embroidered blankets, baby gifts, tote bags, robes, and keepsakes become cherished gifts thanks to the elegant look and lasting quality of embroidery.
 

🏈 School Spirit & Team Apparel

Recommended: Screen Printing
Spirit shirts, club apparel, booster organizations, and sports teams often benefit from bold graphics and economical pricing for larger orders.

🪡 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is embroidery more expensive than screen printing?

Usually, yes. Embroidery is a premium decoration method, but it's also one of the most durable and professional-looking options available.
 

Is screen printing cheaper?

For larger T-shirt orders, screen printing is often the most economical choice.
 

Is DTF less expensive than screen printing?

For smaller quantities, it often can be because there are no traditional screen setup costs.
 

Do I have to order hundreds of shirts?

Not at all. Many projects involve only a few garments, while others include hundreds.


Can you help me choose the most affordable option?

Absolutely! Every project is different, and we'll gladly recommend the decoration method that best fits your design, quantity, and budget.
 

Ready to Bring Your Idea to Life?

Whether you're ordering one personalized embroidered gift or outfitting an entire business, SaRi's Creations is here to help.

We'll walk you through your options, explain the advantages of each decoration method, and recommend the solution that gives you the best combination of quality, durability, and value.

Contact SaRi's Creations today, and let's create something you'll be proud to wear.


 
SEND US YOUR IDEA

Related Guides

..

Embroidery Pricing


Wondering how much custom embroidery costs? Learn what factors affect pricing, why every project is unique, and what information helps us prepare an accurate quote.
 

Artwork Requirements


Learn what types of artwork work best for custom embroidery, from vector files to photos and sketches. We'll help you prepare your design for the best possible results.

Read Guide →

Embroidery vs. Screen Printing

Not sure which decorating method is right for your project? Compare embroidery and screen printing to understand the differences in appearance, durability, cost, and the types of apparel each works best on.

Read Guide →

🪡 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Your Special Touch Can Be Applied to Hundreds of Products, including ...

✔ T-Shirts
✔ Dress Shirts
✔ Polo Shirts
✔ Hoodies
✔ Outerwear
✔ Uniforms
✔ Athletic Apparel
✔ Scrubs
✔ Ties
✔ Hats
✔ Socks
✔ Shoes
✔ Gym Bags
✔ Laptop Bags
✔ Visors
✔ Rugs
✔ Baby Blankets
✔ Golf Towels
✔ Towels
✔ Scarves
✔ Table runners
✔ Footwear
✔ Pillows
✔ Handkerchiefs
✔ Aprons
✔ Backpacks
✔ Purses
 
✔ Water Bottles
✔ Coolers
✔ Tote Bags
✔ Flags
✔ Plastic Cups
✔ Shopping Bags
✔ Gift Bags
✔ Tumblers
✔ Belts
 

No Order Minimums

Fast Turnaround

Great Prices

Product & Apparel Catalogs 

Don't have your own apparel to bring to us? No worries! You can browse through our catalogs to find shirts, hats, bags, sportswear, and more. All you need to do is call or fill in the contact form to let us know which items you want. We will provide you with pricing, answer your questions, and take care of the rest, making the process completely hassle-free!
 
SaRi's Creations - Sportswear Catalog - Team 365
SaRi's Creations - Sportswear Catalog - Team 365

Sportswear - Team Spirit - Golf Attire - Jackets 

Discover a wide range of products, from t-shirts to golf attire and promotional items. Find the perfect item to showcase your school spirit, whether high school or college. Let your school pride shine!
 
Sportswear & More
SaRi's Creations - Company Casuals Catalog
SaRi's Creations - Company Casuals Catalog

Casuals - Caps - Bags -
Workwear - More

Find polo shirts, sweatshirts and fleece items, woven shirts, workwear, and more for all ages from infants and youth sizes to all adult sizes. Looking for caps, bags, and other accessories? We've got you covered!
 
Casuals, Hats & More
SaRi's Creations - Sportswear Catalog - Sportswear Collection
SaRi's Creations - Sportswear Catalog - Sportswear Collection

T-Shirts - Polos - Jerseys - Jackets - Towels - More

An excellent catalog for sportswear enthusiasts! Find unique items that make wonderful embroidered gifts for any occasion, such as aprons, bags, bibs, loungewear, and more. If you can't find it here, you're not looking!
Blankets, Bags & More