Men’s Custom T-Shirts

By Ross Bielema

Custom T-shirts do more than carry your logo—they carry your brand into the real world. Whether you’re outfitting a work crew, gearing up for a product launch or handing out shirts at an event, men’s custom T-shirts combine comfort, durability and visibility in a single, high-impact item.

At 4imprint, we help organizations—from small teams to national brands—find the right fit, fabric and decoration style to meet their goals. This guide breaks down what affects cost, which print methods last longest and how to match shirts to the way your audience actually wears them. Looking for tools to compare styles or build a quote? Visit our custom T-shirts page for our Glide™ pricing calculator, filters and expert support.

What is a reasonable price for a custom T-shirt?

There’s no one-size-fits-all price—but there is a pricing sweet spot where cost, quality and wearability align. Most men’s custom T-shirts fall into these general ranges:

• $8–$15 each for small runs or premium shirts.
• $5–$9 each when you order in volume (typically 48+).

Several factors affect where your project lands on that spectrum:

• Sleeve style: Long sleeves cost more due to added material and manufacturing expenses.
• Decoration method: Screen printing is cost-efficient for simple, repeatable designs. Direct-to-garment (DTG) and heat transfer support more color and detail but may cost more at low quantities.
• Shirt quality: Basic cotton is budget friendly. Retail brands, tri-blends or moisture-wicking shirts raise the price—but also the comfort and perceived value.
• Design complexity: A single front print is economical. Add back, sleeve or multi-location designs and pricing will increase accordingly.

Most 4imprint styles offer multiple price-break tiers, which are shown up front as you browse. You’ll see exactly how pricing shifts as your quantity increases. There’s no need to guess—or wait for a quote.

And remember: set-up fees are waived on exact reorders. If you're restocking the same design, you’ll see savings the next time.

How much does it cost to make 50 custom T-shirts?

Fifty shirts is a practical starting point for internal events, community outreach, field teams and early product launches. You’re ordering enough to unlock some savings, but not so many that you’re stuck with overstock.

Typical costs for 50 shirts:

• $6–$10 per shirt for standard short-sleeve, screen-printed styles.
• $11–$15 per shirt for brand-name, long-sleeve or full-color designs.

At this volume, you’ll see a step down in per-shirt pricing versus smaller runs. That’s because set-up costs—like screens or artwork prep—are spread across more units.

Which print method is right at 50 units?

• Screen printing: Your best value for simple logos and one to three colors. Most economical when you keep the imprint consistent across sizes.
• Direct-to-garment (DTG) Full color, no minimums, great for photo tees or complex graphics. It costs a bit more, but is ideal for creativity.
• Heat transfer: Fast, flexible and popular for staff names, departments or smaller client batches.
• Embroidery: Adds polish and staying power. It’s often used on polos or uniforms when longevity matters more than print size.

While local shops might offer same-day service or face-to-face consultations, 4imprint brings national reach with a personal feel. You’ll still get fast shipping, dedicated reps and expert design help—plus transparent pricing and support at scale.

Who makes the best men’s shirt?

The “best” depends on your needs—but high-quality shirts share a few key traits. They’re cut for comfort, built to last and ready to showcase your brand in the best light.

Look for:

• Sturdy construction: Shoulder-to-shoulder taping, double-needle stitching and seamless collars help maintain structure.
• Comfortable fabrics: Ringspun cotton, cotton/poly blends and performance knits balance softness with strength.
• Reliable fit retention: Preshrunk materials and enzyme-washed finishes help keep the shape intact, wash after wash.

Top brands 4imprint customers trust:

• Carhartt^®: Tough, heavyweight Carhartt shirts for outdoor crews and physical work. These are built like gear, not just apparel.
• Bella+Canvas^®: Soft, fitted and fashion-forward. Perfect for branded merch or startup swag.
• Gildan^® Softstyle / Gildan Ultra Cotton: Affordable, reliable and available in nearly every color and size.
• Port & Company^®: Ideal for uniforms and team orders. Professional look, accessible price point.
• Nike^® and Under Armour^®: Athletic styling meets moisture-wicking tech. Great for sports teams, wellness programs or branded performance wear.

Not sure where to start? Use our menu to filter by use case—workwear for your crew, scrubs and lab coats or volunteer groups that need high-visibility clothing. Check out our uniform page for all the use case specialty options we offer.

Which brand has the best quality T-shirts for men?

“Best quality” depends on your end goal. Here's how some of our most-requested brands align with specific needs:

• For rugged durability:
  Carhartt dominates. Their heavyweight cotton blends resist tearing, fading and sagging. Ideal for utility and outdoor roles.
• For retail or fashion-forward looks:
  Bella+Canvas is a leader in comfort, drape and softness. Their tri-blends feel elevated—great for branded giveaways that double as lifestyle wear.
• For athletic or performance needs:
  Nike and Under Armour offer shirts that wick moisture, move with the body and elevate your brand with built-in name recognition.
• For dependable, budget-friendly versatility:
  Gildan and Port Authority^® deliver consistent sizing and broad imprint compatibility—workhorses of the custom tee world.

No matter the brand you choose, you’ll get a shirt that’s been tested for print performance. That means your logo won’t just look good on screen—it’ll print clean, stay true to color and stand up to repeated use.

Are custom-made shirts worth it for men?

They really are—especially when your T-shirt isn’t just a handout but a representation of your brand. A thoughtfully selected shirt (not just the closest unisex cotton tee) can elevate the experience for the wearer and the person seeing your logo when they’re out on the town.

When shirts are tailored for men’s fit and built with real-world wear in mind, they get used. They get noticed. And they get remembered. That makes them one of the smartest investments in branded gear—whether you’re ordering for field crews, volunteers, customer giveaways or your own team.

We see this all the time with long-sleeve logo shirts as well. Colder seasons, layered uniforms, outdoor events—long sleeves extend your brand’s reach without adding bulk or upgrading to a jacket. They’re simple, functional and surprisingly versatile.

What type of T-shirt printing lasts the longest?

If your shirts are going to be worn often—or laundered repeatedly—you want the print to last just as long as the fabric. That’s where print method comes into play.

Screen printing is the go-to for longevity. It creates strong, vivid imprints that hold up to heavy washing and tough environments. Logos stay crisp. Edges don’t crack. This is why it’s so widely used for uniforms and staff apparel.

Sublimation is another standout—technically even more permanent than screen printing. But there’s a catch: It only works on polyester and light-colored garments. That rules it out for most cotton tees and darker tones.

If you’re working with photo-based artwork or full-color designs, direct-to-garment (DTG) gets the job done beautifully—but with a bit more care required. It’s fantastic for detail but not as great for long-term rugged wear.

Heat transfer? It has its place. Especially if you’re doing name personalization or small-batch event tees. But it’s not built for the long haul.

Quick comparison:

• Screen printing: Best overall durability for most jobs.
• Sublimation: Longest lasting (on light polyester fabrics).
• DTG: Great for detail; lower wear tolerance.
• Heat transfer: Flexible and affordable; short-term solution.

If you're printing men’s custom photo T-shirts front and back for a one-day event, DTG or heat transfer will give you high visual impact fast.

Outfitting a team that wears the same shirts four times a week? Go screen print or embroidery—and don’t look back.

What type of shirt printing is most durable?

Durability is more than how long the shirt lasts—it’s about how consistently it holds up in the environments you’re putting it in.

If your team is on-site, on the move or on their feet in all kinds of weather, you need your prints to hang tough. That’s where screen printing on heavy cotton or blends really proves its worth. It stands up to sweat, sunlight and cycle after cycle in the wash.

Embroidery, while not technically printing, is worth mentioning here. It’s the most physically durable imprint option available—stitching instead of ink. You’ll often see it on polos, quarter-zips and other apparel meant to convey professionalism and endure constant use.

Sublimation also deserves a second nod. If you’re working with polyester garments—like performance tees or athletic wear—it permanently embeds the design into the fabric. It doesn’t crack or peel because there’s no ink sitting on top. It is the shirt.

For giveaway tees, event staff or limited-use gear, heat transfer and DTG give you fast, sharp results—even if they’re not built for the daily grind.

What T-shirt material lasts the longest?

Let’s talk fibers.

Not all shirts wear out the same. Cotton is classic—soft, breathable, great to print on—but prone to shrinking and fading unless it’s been pre-treated or enzyme-washed. For casual, occasional use, it’s a great choice. But not the most rugged.

Cotton/poly blends are where durability and day-to-day wear really align. They’re soft enough to wear comfortably, but tougher than 100% cotton—and they bounce back better from wash and wear.

Want the longest lifespan possible? Look for:

• Cotton/poly blends: Durable, wrinkle-resistant, hold their color.
• Performance polyester: Sweat-wicking, stretch-ready and built for motion.
• Tri-blends: Light, super-soft and surprisingly strong with the right print method.
• Mid- to heavyweight fabric (5.5–6 oz.): Holds shape and integrity wash after wash.

If you’re printing for a field crew, athletic team or customer-facing staff, go with blends or performance fabrics. Designing giveaway merch or campaign shirts? Midweight cotton is a solid, budget-friendly bet.

Order with confidence.

When you're investing in custom apparel, you're not just ordering shirts. You’re outfitting your brand. You’re setting expectations. You’re sending your logo out into the world—on real people, in real environments.

That’s why 4imprint gives you:

• Free e-proofs to review your exact imprint.
• Artwork cleanup at no cost—because a clean design prints better.
• Live price breaks shown as you order so there are no surprises.
• Support from actual people, ready to help by chat, email or phone.
• Our 360° Guarantee_®—delivered on time and exactly as ordered or we’ll make it right.

Need help finding the right fit? Curious whether DTG or screen print will hold up better for your use? Want to see how the price changes from 50 to 250 units?

We’ve got your back—with real support, not guesswork.

Start your order today and make sure your shirts do more than look good. Make sure they last.