Is it cheaper to make your own T-shirts?
By Ross Bielema
5 min read
Posted: June 18, 2025
DIY is everywhere—from sourdough starters to home renovations—and custom T-shirts are no exception. The appeal is clear: creative freedom, the satisfaction of hands-on work and a belief that doing it yourself might save money.
But in practice, the economics of DIY shirt-making aren’t always what they seem. Whether you're making a few novelty tees or sourcing apparel for your company, it’s worth comparing the true costs and benefits of DIY versus working with a partner like 4imprint.
What equipment is needed to print T-shirts?
Home printing isn’t impossible, but it does take more than a blank tee and a good idea.
Depending on your method, you might need:
- Screen-printing tools: Frames, mesh, emulsion, squeegees, inks and drying racks
- Heat-transfer supplies: Heat press, transfer paper, compatible printer and specialty inks
- Fabric-safe finishes: For setting your design and preserving print quality
Asking, “How can I print my own shirt at home without a machine?”
Your best bets are iron-on transfer sheets or fabric markers—fun for personal crafts, but not ideal for consistent branding or lasting wear. Plus, factor in the time needed to learn each step. Exposure settings, press timing, ink thickness—it all takes practice. And mistakes can be costly.
How much does it cost to make one custom shirt?
DIY might sound cheaper at first, but the math changes when you count all the parts. Let’s say you’re printing one shirt with a heat press:
- Blank T-shirt: $4-$9 depending on fabric and brand
- Heat-transfer paper and ink: $3-$5
- Heat-press equipment: $200-$400 for a beginner model
- Time: 1-2 hours (learning, set-up, printing)
So your first shirt might cost $20-$30—not counting your time or test runs.
Now compare that to buying a professionally printed shirt through 4imprint. You get expert printing (screen print, digital full color and we also offer embroidery), price-match guarantees, free design help and tiered pricing that rewards bulk orders.
And when you scale up? The savings compound. Our Glide™ pricing tool applies automatic price breaks at multiple quantity tiers, so you save more as you order more.
“Another slam dunk! The shirts were a BIG hit and the participants loved them. Great value and the quality of this product is far superior to what you can get from other places for double the price!”
— Hanes® Authentic T-Shirt product review provided by customer
Is it cheaper to make your own T-shirts?
Technically? Yes—for one or two shirts, with minimal tools and expectations. But for anything involving quality, consistency or more than a handful of shirts? Not even close.
Let’s compare side by side:
| Consideration | DIY Shirt Making | 4imprint Custom Shirts |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront costs | High (equipment + supplies) | None |
| Time investment | Significant (learning curve) | Low (easy online ordering) |
| Print consistency | Varies by skill | Professionally calibrated |
| Per-shirt cost | High at low volumes | Drops sharply with volume |
| Support | Self-guided | Full customer service + design help |
| Reorders | Manual and inconsistent | Fast (saved art and shirt specs) |
At 4imprint, every order includes:
- Free design support—whether you have a napkin sketch or a production-ready file
- Multiple imprint options, from screen printing to embroidery to full-color digital
- Free e-proofs for artwork approval
- Quantity-based price breaks at multiple tiers
- Fast turnaround with an on-time guarantee
One client put it perfectly:
“Yet again, 4imprint was fantastic to work with to create these baseball t-shirts for our student ambassador team. [Our rep] made the process easy and fast, and he was even able to rush an order to get to me on time when I asked. 4imprint has incredible customer service from top to bottom, and they put out great products. We love working with them!”
— A colorblock baseball T-shirt product review provided by customer
The better option: Design and order custom T-shirts from 4imprint
Skip the mess. Skip the guesswork.
4imprint combines the creative control and style selection of DIY with the polish of professional production.
Whether you’re ordering women’s custom T-shirts for an event, men’s custom T-shirts for a product launch or shirts for your whole team’s new look, 4imprint makes it easy! And our 360° Guarantee® means your order will be right—or we’ll make it right.
Ready to skip the equipment, hassle and trial-and-error? Design your custom T-shirts with 4imprint and get professional results, affordable pricing and fast delivery—without the DIY stress.