Ordering custom t-shirts in bulk is the fastest way to reduce your per-unit cost and maximize margins. But getting the best price requires understanding how volume pricing works, when to order, and what trade-offs to consider. This guide covers everything you need to know.

How Bulk Pricing Works

Clothing manufacturers use tiered pricing — the more you order, the less each piece costs. This is not just a discount; it reflects real cost savings in production efficiency, fabric purchasing, and setup amortization.

Here is a typical pricing structure for a premium blank t-shirt with single-location embroidery:

Quantity	Price Per Unit	Total Cost	Savings vs 25 pcs
25 pieces	$14.50	$362	—
50 pieces	$12.80	$640	12% per unit
100 pieces	$11.20	$1,120	23% per unit
250 pieces	$9.90	$2,475	32% per unit
500 pieces	$8.50	$4,250	41% per unit
1000+ pieces	$7.20	$7,200	50% per unit

Check our pricing calculator for exact rates across different garment types and embellishment methods.

Where the Savings Come From

Fabric Purchasing

Manufacturers buy fabric in rolls. Larger orders use fabric more efficiently — less waste from cutting layouts and fewer partial rolls left over.

Production Setup

Whether you are ordering 25 or 500 shirts, the machine setup time is the same. Screen printing requires the same screen creation, embroidery requires the same digitization. Spreading that fixed cost across more units lowers the per-piece price.

Labor Efficiency

Operators get into a rhythm on longer runs. The 100th shirt takes less time to produce than the 10th. This efficiency gain is passed on to you.

Strategies to Maximize Savings

Consolidate Colors and Sizes

Ordering 100 pieces of one design across sizes is cheaper than ordering 25 pieces each of four different designs. Each unique design requires its own setup.

Hit the Next Price Break

If you need 85 shirts, order 100. The extra 15 pieces at the lower per-unit price often costs less than 85 at the higher tier. Do the math:

85 pieces at $11.20 = $952
100 pieces at $9.90 = $990

For $38 more, you get 15 extra shirts — that is $2.53 each for shirts you can sell at $35+.

Plan Ahead and Batch Orders

Combine multiple product needs into a single order. Ordering t-shirts, hoodies, and caps together qualifies for better volume pricing and saves on shipping.

Simplify Your Embellishments

A single-color embroidered logo costs less than a multi-color screen print. If your design works in one or two colors, you will save on every unit.

Choose Standard Colors

Manufacturers stock certain colors in depth. Standard black, white, navy, and gray are always available and never require special ordering. Custom PMS color matching adds cost and lead time.

Common Bulk Order Mistakes

Ordering too many of one size: Use this general size distribution: S (15%), M (25%), L (30%), XL (20%), 2XL (10%). Adjust based on your customer data.
Skipping the sample: Always approve a production sample before placing a bulk order. The $30 sample cost prevents a $3,000 mistake.
Ignoring storage costs: 1,000 t-shirts take up space. Make sure you have somewhere to store them before ordering.
Not planning reorders: Your best-selling size will run out first. Know your manufacturer's lead time so you can reorder before you stock out.

Your Next Step

Start with our pricing calculator to model different quantities and see where the price breaks fall for your specific products. Or request a custom quote — we provide detailed, itemized pricing so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Browse our full blank apparel catalog to find the right garments for your bulk order. With full customization options including embroidery, screen printing, and custom labels, we handle everything from blanks to finished branded products.