Top 5 Ways to Save When Ordering Wholesale Custom Shirts and Other Screen Printed Products

I’ve heard “Hey, where’d you get that rad shirt?” way more than “Hey, which digital agency designed your website?”

Custom screen printed shirts and corporate swag bring people together and promote your brand in a profoundly personal way. What better way for your fans to show that they’re one of the select few who love your products, your band merch, or your events?

All you need is a sweet design and then you’re ready to print and distribute your custom shirts to the world, right?

Well, while your design may look incredible on a computer screen, many designers are surprised by the unanticipated costs of screen printing certain images onto bulk custom shirts and other products. Or, maybe your design is simple and affordable to print, but you want to make sure it looks good before you order a thousand of them.

If you’ve ever searched for t-shirt printing near me or tried to make your own t-shirt online, you’ll know the options are endless. Whether you’re working with a t-shirt company or browsing a t-shirt design website, getting that design right from the start is crucial.

Luckily, there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure that you get a sweet custom shirt, poster, tote bag, etc. that doesn’t break the bank and shows off your brand to the world.

Here are the top 5 things you should know when ordering custom screen printed merchandise from a wholesale print shop.

1) Using negative space is a big positive

When creating a custom design, it can be easy to get stuck in the mindset that every element of the shirt should be printed in ink. After all, the shirt is the canvas and the image is ink, right?

In fact, some of the most compelling and original designs make use of negative space to create images. There are many impressive examples of this in the custom t-shirt world — from custom Nike shirts to custom Under Armour shirts, smart use of the fabric can add impact.

The best artists use the color of the shirt beneath the ink as part of the design. Not only is this approach visually interesting, letting the fabric come through is like a getting free color.

This technique is especially helpful if you’re using an online tool to create your own shirt and trying to stay within a budget.

So, next time you’re doodling designs, or browsing the internet for corporate merchandise inspiration, remember that the fabric is your friend. Consider what each design might look like using negative space.

2) Know the ins and outs of quantity breaks and tiered pricing

Ordering custom t-shirts online can often be a confusing process because many printers don’t make their price tiers readily available to customers. There is a simple solution, though: ask!

The price per item will always go down as quantity increases, but it may not change at a constant rate. For example, our price for custom t-shirt printing doesn’t change between 998 and 999 shirts, but as soon as you order 1,000 custom shirts, you’ll save nearly 10% on your order.

So, knowing the quantity at which the price drops can save you a lot of money on large orders — especially if you’re planning to make tshirts for an event, a fundraiser, or a corporate giveaway. In these situations, bulk custom apparel orders for corporate use can help you maximize both savings and brand visibility at the same time.

If you’re looking for an affordable blank that makes bulk orders even more cost-effective, check out our Fruit of the Loom L3930R review — a reliable everyday tee that’s perfect for wholesale customization.

3) Keep those product and printing prices separated

Essentially, there are two separate costs involved in printing custom t-shirts or other wholesale screen printed merchandise. There’s the cost of the blank shirt, tote bag, etc. and there’s the cost of printing your design onto it.

Most t-shirt printers will just combine both of these costs into one bundled price for the customer. Don’t settle for this! Always get a detailed breakdown.

Your price breakdown should include:

• • The cost of each blank item
• • The setup fee
• • The printing fee per color or screen

Pro tip: If you use a platform to design a shirt or make your own shirt, check if they charge the setup fee again for reorders. We don’t, but many others do.

4) Try before you buy

We’ve heard of it happening so many times. A customer has a sweet custom t-shirt design. They order 1,000 bulk custom shirts only to discover that the design doesn’t look the way they were expecting. Now they have to decide if they want to move forward with mediocre shirts or just start over completely.

Custom screen printed merchandise will always look slightly different when you’re physically holding it in your hand than it did on your computer screen. That’s why it’s always a good idea to ask for a printed sample so that you can request any necessary modifications before you pull the trigger on a giant order.

Most printers are happy to print a sample for a small fee, dramatically cheaper than the money you would spend on an order of custom screen printed products that you can’t use.

5) Thought you didn’t have ink options? Ink again

If you care about the environment or the health of your customers, you should care about the type of ink your printer uses for your custom t-shirt merch.

Water-based inks are soft, non-toxic, and eco-friendly. They’re an excellent choice if you’re planning to make a shirt for your brand or cause and want it to reflect your values.

Ask your printer if they offer water-based inks—especially if you plan to create your own t-shirt for eco-conscious consumers.

All in all

Whether you’re browsing options to make your own t-shirt or exploring a t-shirt company, the right preparation makes all the difference.

To understand how these savings strategies connect with long-term branding, see our full article on Business T-Shirts: Boost Your Brand with Custom Apparel.

Asking your printer the right questions before you buy any screen printed bulk custom t shirts is a must. Not only will it save you time and hassle, but it will lead to happier customers, better sales, a cleaner world, and of course, a happier you!