Custom T-Shirts USA: Costs, Delivery and Where to Order
A blank unisex staple t-shirt, the base garment for custom printing in the US
The US has more custom t-shirt suppliers than any other market, which makes choosing harder rather than easier. Here is how to work out which type you need.
What custom shirts cost in the US
| Quantity | Method | Per shirt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Print on demand | $15–30 |
| 12 | Screen print | $12–20 + setup |
| 50 | Screen print | $7–13 |
| 100+ | Screen print | $5–10 |
The crossover sits around 20 shirts. Below it, print on demand wins because there is no setup fee. Above it, screen printing wins and the gap widens fast.
Delivery times, realistically
- Local screen printer: 3–10 business days, rush available for a premium
- US-based print on demand: production plus 3–7 business days
- International print on demand: 5–7 working days production, then 5–10 business days to US addresses
For Wearlie that means roughly two to three weeks door to door in the US. Fine for a gift planned in advance; wrong for a shirt you need Friday.
The no-minimum question
Screen printers set minimums of 12–24 because a stencil has to be made per color, and that cost cannot be spread across one shirt. Direct-to-garment printing removes the stencil, which is why print-on-demand suppliers can genuinely sell you one.
Watch for minimums reintroduced as fees: setup charges, artwork charges, and shipping that is only free above a threshold. Compare the total landed cost for the quantity you actually want.
Sales tax
US sales tax is applied at checkout based on your shipping state, so the number you see at checkout is the number you pay. There are no customs charges on domestic orders, which is one clear advantage US buyers have over UK and Australian ones.
Sizing
Most custom shirts print on unisex blanks cut on a men's block. If you normally buy women's sizes, expect the same nominal size to run roomier — many people who wear a women's medium prefer a unisex small. Compare chest measurements rather than letters. See our size guide.
Which supplier type fits your job
- 1–10 shirts, detailed design, no rush: print on demand
- 20+ shirts, simple logo: local screen printer
- Needed this week: local printer with rush service
- No design file yet: an AI generator that outputs print-ready artwork
Frequently asked questions
How much does one custom t-shirt cost in the US?
$15–30 all in from a print-on-demand supplier. A screen printer will quote more once setup is included.
How long does custom t-shirt printing take in the US?
A local printer can turn around in 3–10 business days. International print on demand takes about two to three weeks in total.
What is the cheapest way to print 100 shirts?
Screen printing, at roughly $5–10 per shirt.
Do I pay customs on custom shirts in the US?
Not on domestic orders. Sales tax is applied at checkout based on your state.
Start at custom shirts and t-shirts, or read the full custom shirts guide.
