T-Shirt Printing Cost In India: Pricing & Guidelines

T-shirt printing in India typically costs between ₹20 and ₹240 per print, depending on the printing method, the size of the design and the number of T-shirts ordered. A one-colour screen print in a large order is at the low end, and a large DTF print is at the high end. The plain T-shirt is priced separately, so the total price is the T-shirt plus the print charge, with tax and delivery added on top.

The six common printing methods are direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTF), screen printing, embroidery, vinyl and sublimation. DTG, DTF, vinyl and sublimation charge by print area, with a minimum charge for small prints. Screen printing is charged per T-shirt by quantity and number of colours, and embroidery is charged per placement, with a one-time setup fee for a new design.

This guide explains how print charges and total cost are calculated, what each method costs, and what factors to consider when choosing a type.

Key Takeaways:

• Print size affects the price: Larger designs usually cost more with methods priced by area.
• Order quantity matters: Screen printing generally becomes cheaper per T-shirt as the order grows.
• Choose a method that suits the design: DTG and DTF work for detailed artwork, screen printing suits bulk designs, and embroidery suits small logos.
• Check the extra charges: GST, shipping, and delivery charges can increase the final cost.
• Garment choice changes the total: A hoodie or an oversized T-shirt costs more than a basic T-shirt, even when the print is the same.

T-Shirt Printing Cost Comparison

T-shirt printing charges vary by printing type, design size and quantity. The table below compares print charges using Qikink’s published rates as examples.

How Much Does It Cost to Print One T-Shirt?

The cost of one printed T-shirt includes the cost of a plain T-shirt and the printing charge.

Cost of one printed T-shirt = (T-shirt price + print charge) × 5% GST (or x 1.05)

This formula includes 5% GST on the T-shirt and printing charges, but excludes shipping and other additional charges.

Print charge = print area in square inches × rate per square inch

If the calculated print charge is less than the particular printing method’s minimum charge, the minimum applies instead. Calculate the design area by multiplying its width by its height in inches.

For example, in a 12 × 14 inch DTG front print on a coloured garment, the design covers 168 square inches. At ₹0.75 per square inch, the print charge is ₹126, which exceeds the ₹100 minimum. For a ₹170 T-shirt, it is calculated as:

(₹170 + ₹126) × 1.05 = ₹310.80

On the other hand, a 4 × 4 inch DTF print covers 16 square inches. At ₹0.75 per square inch, the calculated charge is ₹12. As it falls below the minimum DTF charge, the cost of the print will be ₹80.

Extra Charges After Printing

The final delivered price may include the following charges:

1. GST: The example calculations apply 5% GST to the product and printing charges. The Ministry of Textiles (PIB) lists 5% GST on ready-made garments priced up to ₹2,500 per piece
2. Shipping: Air shipping costs ₹54 per 500 g, while surface shipping costs ₹42.37 per 500 g, before 18% GST.
3. Cash on delivery (COD): ₹34 per order, before 18% GST.
4. Rush handling: ₹50 per product, before 18% GST, when this service is selected.

The total amount depends on the applicable shipping method, parcel weight and selected services.

How Does the Cost Change by T-Shirt Type?

The T-shirt price affects the total cost even when the print remains the same. The chart compares the cost of five types of T-shirts with the same 10 × 10 inch front print for three common printing methods.

T-Shirt Printing Cost by Method

Each printing method has a different pricing structure. The examples below for all types use a ₹170 Standard Crew T-Shirt and show printing charges before GST and delivery, unless stated otherwise.

1. DTG Printing Cost

DTG printing applies water-based ink directly to the T-shirt fabric. The rate is ₹0.50 per square inch on white garments and ₹0.75 on coloured garments, as coloured fabrics require additional ink and pretreatment for better print visibility, with minimum charges of ₹50 and ₹100, respectively.

Good to Know

• Best for: Detailed artwork, gradients and photo-style designs.
• Works on: Compatible cotton and cotton-blend garments.
• Limits: Metallic finishes are not supported. Pre-treatment may leave marks or a mild odour, and colours may differ slightly from the screen.

2. DTF Printing Cost

DTF printing transfers a design from a printed film onto fabric using heat and pressure. It costs ₹0.75 per square inch, regardless of garment colour, with a minimum charge of ₹80.

Good to Know

• Best for: Bright, detailed, multicolour designs and gradients.
• Works on: Cotton, polyester, silk and linen.
• Limits: Some artwork may suit another method better, such as DTG.

DTF or DTG: Which is Better?

Explore the guide on key differences between DTG and DTF printing types!

DTG vs DTF: For Print on Demand →

3. Screen Printing Cost

Screen printing pushes ink through a mesh stencil onto the fabric. Each colour generally needs a separate stencil, so the price per T-shirt depends on the order quantity and the number of colours. The setup is spread across the order, which can make screen printing economical for larger quantities.

Printing

What Does a Screen Printed Order Cost?

Good to Know

• Best for: Logos, slogans, team names and other designs with a limited number of colours.
• Works on: Compatible cotton, polyester and blended-fabric products.
• Limits: Smooth gradients and photographic artwork may be less suitable for traditional screen printing.

4. Embroidery Cost

Embroidery creates a design by stitching coloured thread into the fabric. It gives logos and lettering a raised, textured finish. The charge is ₹100 per placement for a design up to 3.5 × 3.5 inches. A new design also requires a one-time digitising fee of ₹413 to convert the artwork into a stitch file.

Good to Know

• Best for: Small logos and simple lettering on polos, caps and uniforms.
• Works on: Cotton, polyester and cotton blends.
• Limits: Very thin lines, tiny text and fine colour details may not stitch clearly. A new design needs digitising.

5. Vinyl Printing Cost

Vinyl printing cuts a design from a coloured vinyl sheet and applies it to fabric with heat. The price depends on the finish and print area. The standard silver, gold and rainbow finishes cost ₹1 per square inch, with an ₹80 minimum charge.

Standard Pricing

Good to Know

• Best for: Text, logos, badges and monograms with clean edges.
• Works on: Compatible with cotton, polyester and blended-fabric products.
• Limits: The design should be a single colour without fine lines or tiny parts. Glow-in-the-dark cannot be combined with another print type on the same T-shirt.

Is Vinyl Printing Better than Digital?

Compare digital printing methods DTG & DTF with vinyl before choosing one!

DTG vs DTF vs Vinyl printing →

6. Sublimation Printing Cost

Sublimation printing uses heat to turn dye into a gas that colours polyester fibres. The dye becomes part of the fabric, making this method suitable for repeated patterns, photographs and designs with broad colour coverage.

Placement sublimation prints a design on one area of the T-shirt, such as the chest. All-over-print (AOP) T-shirts, where the design covers the whole T-shirt, are sold as finished products.

Good to Know

• Best for: Repeated patterns and designs with broad colour coverage.
• Works on: White polyester and jersey fabric.
• Limits: Standard sublimation is best suited to white or light-coloured polyester garments. Cotton and cotton-rich blends are generally unsuitable because the dye bonds with polyester fibres.

Factors That Affect T-Shirt Printing Costs

Several factors determine the total cost of a printed T-shirt. The garment price and printing charge form the base cost, while the following details affect the final amount.

1. Printing method: Each method has a different pricing structure. Choose one that suits the design, fabric and order quantity.

2. Print size & Placement: Larger designs generally cost more with area-based pricing. Separate front, back, pocket and sleeve prints can add to the total.

3. Number of colours: Screen printing costs depend partly on the number of colours because each colour may require a separate stencil.

4. Order quantity: Screen printing generally offers lower per-T-shirt rates for larger orders.

5. Garment colour & Fabric: DTG rates differ between white and coloured garments, while sublimation is generally suited to white polyester. Fabric compatibility also affects the choice of method.

6. Garment style and GSM: Fit, fabric weight, and construction influence the garment price. GSM means grams per square metre and indicates fabric weight. For example, the Standard Crew and Oversized Standard are both 180 GSM cotton, but the Oversized Standard costs ₹55 more. The Oversized Classic is 240 GSM and costs ₹265, while the 160 GSM Supima T-shirt costs ₹300.

7. Additional services: Branding, special packaging, rush handling, GST, and delivery can increase the final amount.

To estimate the total cost, compare the T-shirt price and print charge first, then account for applicable taxes, shipping and additional services.

DTG v DTF: Print Size and Placement Pricing

For DTG and DTF, the pricing also depends on the design area and placements, subject to the method’s minimum charge.

The minimum charge applies when the calculated print cost falls below the set amount. For example, DTF prints of around 107 square inches or less cost ₹80, while coloured-garment DTG prints of around 133 square inches or less cost ₹100. Beyond these areas, the charge increases according to the applicable per-square-inch rate.

Each placement is charged separately. An A4 DTF front print and a 14 × 16 inch DTF back print cost ₹248 in total: ₹80 for the front and ₹168 for the back.

The maximum print area varies by method and garment. DTG supports prints up to 14 × 16 inches on the front or back, while DTF supports prints up to 16 × 20 inches on unisex and oversized T-shirts. Other limits include 14 × 18 inches on the back of a polo, 10 × 10 inches on the front of a hoodie, and 4 × 4 inches for pocket and sleeve prints. Embroidery placements accommodate designs up to 3.5 × 3.5 inches.

Low Cost T-Shirt Printing: Which Method Is the Cheapest?

The cheapest T-shirt printing method depends on the order quantity, garment colour, design size and required finish. Compare the printing charge alongside the garment price to determine the most economical option.

• One white cotton T-shirt: DTG has a minimum print charge of ₹50, making it an option for small orders.
• One coloured T-shirt: DTF has an ₹80 minimum charge, compared with ₹100 for coloured-garment DTG.
• Bulk orders: Screen printing can reduce the per-T-shirt cost as the quantity increases, particularly for designs with fewer colours.
• Large designs: Compare DTG and DTF rates with vinyl pricing, as area-based charges can make larger prints more expensive.
• Small logos: Embroidery charges ₹100 per placement for designs up to 3.5 × 3.5 inches, making it suitable for small logos and lettering.

Bulk T-Shirt Printing Cost

Bulk T-shirt printing can reduce the cost per garment, particularly with screen printing. The final price depends on quantity, design, number of colours, garment and printing method.

Using a ₹170 T-shirt and an ₹80 A4 DTF print as an example, the base cost is ₹250 per T-shirt. With a one-colour screen print, it costs around ₹46,250 before tax and delivery, which is ₹16,250 less than DTF. The final order total depends on the applicable bulk pricing, taxes and delivery charges.

Can DTF Printing be a Game Changer?

Find out the best features of a DTF print and how it stands out!

DTF Printing for Your Business →

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

T-shirt printing cost depends on the garment, printing method, design size and order quantity. DTG and DTF can suit smaller orders, while screen printing may offer a lower cost per T-shirt for larger quantities. Embroidery is useful for small logos, and vinyl or sublimation may suit specific finishes and fabrics.

Before choosing a method, compare the print charge with the plain T-shirt price and account for GST, shipping and any additional services. Check Qikink's custom printing service or browse its custom T-shirts for available products and printing options.

Read More

1. Explore Best Embroidery Ideas That Will Fly Off the Shelves
2. T-Shirt Photo Printing: Custom T-Shirts For Small Orders
3. Screen Printing vs Embroidery: Complete Comparison
4. DTG vs DTF Printing: Key Differences For Print On Demand

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