A screen printing cost calculator helps you price jobs accurately by breaking down setup fees, ink costs, labor, and garment costs across any order quantity. Screen printing cost per unit drops significantly at higher quantities — use the volume tier table below to set competitive pricing for small and large runs alike.
Job Details
Blank t-shirt: $2.50–$8; hoodie: $10–$18
Cost Rates
Typical range: $25–$50 per screen
Typical range: $0.10–$0.30 per color
Typical range: 15–30 min per color
Typical range: 30–60 sec per piece
Screen Print Cost Analysis
At your selected quantity
Cost Breakdown per Unit (at selected quantity)
Volume Pricing Tiers
| Quantity | Setup/Unit | Variable/Unit | Total Cost/Unit | Sell Price/Unit | Job Revenue |
|---|
How to Calculate Screen Printing Job Costs
Accurate screen printing cost calculations prevent underpricing jobs and leaving money on the table. The three main cost drivers are: fixed setup costs (screens and initial setup time), variable print costs (ink, labor per piece, garment), and your target margin.
Setup Costs
Each color in a design requires its own screen. Burning, exposing, and setting up a screen costs $25–$50 per color in materials and time. This setup cost is fixed for the job — the same regardless of whether you print 12 or 500 pieces. At 12 pieces with 3 colors and $35/screen, setup alone adds $8.75 per shirt. At 144 pieces, that same setup costs only $0.73/shirt.
Variable Costs Per Print
Ink costs $0.10–$0.30 per color per print for plastisol. Water-based and discharge inks run slightly higher ($0.15–$0.40). Labor per print depends on your print speed — at 45 seconds per shirt and $18/hour, that's $0.225 in labor per piece. Garment cost is your largest variable cost — a $4 blank shirt represents 60–70% of the total production cost for a 1-color print job.
Reading the Volume Tier Table
The tier table shows how setup cost per unit drops at higher quantities. This is why custom apparel shops offer volume discounts — they aren't cutting margin, they're passing on real savings. Use the table to structure your quoting: offer a quoted price per unit at 24, 48, 72, 144, and 288 pieces so customers can see the value of ordering more.
FAQ
How much does screen printing setup cost per color?
Screen setup (burning a screen per color) typically costs $25–$50 per color at commercial shops, or $15–$35 if you own your equipment and account for screen materials and emulsion. A 3-color design needs 3 screens, costing $75–$150 in setup. This setup cost is a one-time fee per job — the same screens can be reused for the run.
Why is screen printing cheaper at higher quantities?
Screen setup is a fixed one-time cost per job. At 12 prints, setup may cost $3–$5 per shirt; at 288 prints, that same setup spreads to $0.25–$0.40 per shirt. Ink and labor costs per print also decrease slightly at higher volumes due to rhythm and efficiency. This is why most screen printers have minimum quantity requirements.
What is the minimum order for screen printing?
Most commercial screen printers have minimums of 12–24 pieces, because the setup cost is too high to be viable for smaller runs. For 1–11 pieces, DTF (direct-to-film) or heat transfer vinyl is more cost-effective since there's no screen setup fee.
What is the difference between plastisol and water-based ink?
Plastisol is the most common screen printing ink — vibrant, durable, easy to use, and sits on top of fabric. Water-based inks soak into the fabric for a softer feel and are more eco-friendly. Discharge inks remove the fabric dye and replace it with pigment — best on dark garments for a very soft hand. Water-based and discharge inks cost slightly more per print than plastisol.
How long does screen printing last on a shirt?
A properly cured screen print (reaching 320°F internal temperature in the dryer) typically lasts the life of the garment — 50–100+ washes without significant fading. Plastisol prints are particularly durable. Water-based prints may fade slightly faster but maintain good durability when cured correctly.
Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
No. All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server.