What Affects the Price of Custom Apparel?

(Or: Why your 3-color back print on a tie-dye hoodie doesn’t cost $6)

Let’s talk about pricing! We totally get it—custom apparel costs can be confusing. You see one price online, then get a quote that looks totally different. So what gives?

At Marin’s Custom Apparel, we’re all about transparency. Here’s a clear, no-fluff breakdown of what really affects the price of your custom order—and how to make the most of your budget.

1. Garment Type

This one’s big. A basic cotton tee costs a lot less than a heavyweight hoodie or moisture-wicking athletic wear. Want name-brand gear (like Comfort Colors, Bella+Canvas, or Nike)? That’ll bump up the cost, too.

Pro tip: If you’re on a tight budget, we can recommend quality basics that still look great and print beautifully.

2. Quantity Ordered

The more you order, we could probably work some pricing out.

Example: 25 shirts might cost $15.99 each—but an order of 100 of the same shirt might receive a bulk discount.

3. Decoration Method

Our go-to method is DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing—it’s perfect for colorful, detailed designs with a soft feel and solid durability. For specialty effects, we also use HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) for things like glitter, puff, and glow-in-the-dark designs. Screen print transfers might be recommended for a large bulk order of one or two color prints. And yes, we do embroidery for those classic, stitched looks.

4. Print Locations

Every extra print location—like adding a sleeve logo or a print on the back—adds time, materials, and cost.

👕 Most common print spots: Left chest, back, right sleeve. Want a surprise under-the-hood design? We can do that, but it’ll cost a little more.

5. Artwork Complexity

Got a print-ready vector file? Love you.Need us to clean up a fuzzy screenshot or recreate your logo from scratch? No problem—but design time can add cost.

Good to know: We don’t charge for quick tweaks, but full redraws or multiple mockups might have a small fee (we’ll always tell you first).

6. Rush Orders

Need it fast? Let's see what we can do. Priority production may come with extra fees.

Note: Rush availability depends on how busy we are—but we’ll always try to make it work.

7. Packaging & Delivery

Local schools and organizations get free delivery—yay! Bulk orders come sorted by size, but special requests may add time and labor. Shipping (if applicable) would be priced separately.

In a Nutshell: 

Your Price =

Garment + Quantity + Decoration Method + Print Locations + Design Work + Timing + Packaging