DTF vs DTG printing: Which printing method to choose for your business
What is the difference between DTF and DTG? Read our guide and choose the best option for your designs.
Create a custom shirt with Printify
Shopping for cheap custom shirts is easy. Picking the right shirt for your store is the part that actually matters.
Below, we break down what makes custom t-shirts budget-friendly, which blanks are worth buying, and how to save money without quietly downgrading your brand, margins, or quality.
Want the list? Skip to the 10 cheapest custom t-shirts.
What makes custom t-shirts cheap?
Before we get into the list of garments, let’s clear up the logic. The final number comes down to several factors, and most merchants lose money when they focus on one low price and ignore everything else.
Printing method
The first lever is printing. Different methods change setup, detail, texture, and how the final shirt feels in real life.
Printify’s print-on-demand platform uses DTG (direct-to-garment), DTF (direct-to-film), AOP (all-over print), dye sublimation, and embroidery for apparel decoration. Each method suits different artwork, fabrics, and order sizes – without the setup costs and minimum runs that come with traditional screen printing.
That means more digital printing flexibility for short runs, testing, and detailed artwork than any single method could handle on its own.
- DTG is the everyday option for detailed designs on cotton-rich t-shirts.
- DTF works across more fabric types and handles bold graphics well.
- AOP and dye sublimation are better for full-coverage prints, especially on polyester-based products, where ink colors absorb into the fabric.
- Embroidery is the premium outlier. It’s not a print method, but it earns its spot here. Embroidery outlasts any ink through washes, looks high-end, and buyers associate it with brands that charge more – which means you can, too.
Quick tip
Embroidery file digitization is free for Printify users – so it’s the place to get shirts made for your business.
The most affordable t-shirt printing method depends on the job. A single shirt with a detailed logo needs a different setup than large quantities for a school team or an event.
Order quantity
This is where merchants either protect their margin or wreck it. The gap between a single shirt and a larger order can be huge, especially once printing starts.
- With traditional suppliers, higher quantities mean a lower per-unit price – but you’re paying upfront and betting that every shirt sells. That math only works when demand is proven.
- With Print on Demand, the per-unit cost stays flat whether you order 1 or 100. You pay more per piece, but you carry zero inventory risk and no minimum orders.
- Some suppliers look cheap until you hit their minimum requirement. Others only unlock low pricing at high quantities. Read the fine print – minimum, no minimum, and hidden pricing rules aren’t the same thing.
- A no-minimum order is useful for testing custom t-shirts without gambling on stock. Compare supplier minimums against POD before committing.
- Bulk too early means saving on unit cost and losing money on unsold shirts. Scale when the data says go, not when the pricing looks tempting.
Fabric and shirt type
Now we get to the part merchants often skip. The blank itself decides a lot. A cheap base price doesn’t magically make a good shirt.
- Fabric weight changes how the shirt hangs, folds, and feels.
- A heavier cottonshirt gives more structure. A lighter, super soft tee can feel easier to wear.
- A polyester blend may dry faster, but plain cotton often wins for classic everyday t-shirts.
- The right t-shirt style depends on your audience, your brand, and the kind of custom t-shirts you want to sell.
- Neckline, fit, and sleeve length all matter. A simple crew-neck tee and a V-neck tee appeal to different people.
- Even small choices like shirt color and cut shape affect how t-shirt designs land.
Supplier and fulfillment model
The last piece is the system behind the blank. This is where a low price either stays honest or turns into a mess once orders roll in.
- WithPrint on Demand, you can create and sell custom t-shirts without buying inventory first.
- That means no dead stock, no storage headache, and no forced minimum commitment before demand is real.
- Check turnaround time, support, and whether there’s a real person when something goes wrong. Printify’s merchant support is here for you 24/7.
- Compare standard shipping, international shipping, and whether the supplier bakes in hidden fees.
- Good platforms like Printify show instant pricing, clear all-inclusive pricing, and enough customization options to keep your catalog flexible.
- If you need faster delivery or even rush orders, the fulfillment setup matters just as much as the blank.
10 Cheapest custom t-shirts
Now for the part you came for. We looked through the low-end options and picked the t-shirts that best suit merchants who want budget-friendly t-shirts without sacrificing quality.
1. Unisex HD Cotton™ T-shirt (Fruit Of The Loom 3930R)
Price from: $10.22
With Printify Premium from: $7.62
- One of the cheapest starting points in the lineup.
- Lightweight cotton, classic shape, and regular sleeves keep the shirt simple.
- Good for promo t-shirts, starter merch, and any business testing a basic logo concept on a low budget.
2. Men’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Price from: $7.89
With Printify Premium from: $5.71
- One of Printify’s lowest-cost short-sleeve t-shirts, and a practical shirt for merchants who need room to breathe on margin.
- Popular fit, plain sleeves, and a low entry price – a reliable starting point for simple custom t-shirts on a tight budget.
- A smart pick for an event, a school group order, or a first round of cheap t-shirt printing.
- A fantastic blank for testing new designs before you invest in a pricier shirt.
3. Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt (Gildan 64000)
Price from: $7.95
With Printify Premium from: $5.99
- This shirt is popular because it stays low-cost while feeling a bit more polished than a bargain-bin blank.
- Ring-spun cotton, lighter build, and a smoother finish make it softer on the body than most shirts at this price point.
- Good for custom t-shirts with cleaner printing, lighter streetwear styles, and stores where customers expect a more refined finish.
4. Core Cotton Tee (Port & Company® PC54)
Price from: $7.98
With Printify Premium from: $5.89
- A reliable workhorse shirt for merchants who want predictable custom t-shirts at a low cost.
- Standard cotton, a classic cut, and basic sleeves make this shirt easy to pair with different styles.
- Great for local clubs, fundraiser team orders, and bulk merch where you need a dependable shirt – not a fashion statement.
5. Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee (Gildan 5000)
Price from: $8.80
With Printify Premium from: $5.92
- A classic for merchants who want structure without paying premium-blank money.
- Heavier cotton, sturdy sleeves, and a sturdier hand feel – built for everyday merch.
- It suits bold logo placement, classic graphic printing, and stores that want budget-friendly custom t-shirts with decent quality.
6. Men’s Lightweight V-Neck Tee (Anvil 982)
Price from: $10.36
With Printify Premium from: $7.62
- If your store needs a second t-shirt style, this shirt offers range without leaving the low end.
- Lighter cotton, cleaner neckline, and trim sleeves help the shirt feel more intentional.
- Good for lifestyle niches, fashion-forward custom t-shirts, and stores building a slightly sharper brand.
7. Unisex Jersey T-Shirt (Prime Essentials)
Price from: $10.69
With Printify Premium from: $7.74
- This shirt leans lighter and easier, which makes it useful for warm-weather t-shirts and laid-back collections.
- The softer jersey feel, easy drape, and simple sleeves keep the shirt casual.
- A solid low-budget pick if you want custom t-shirts that feel wearable from day one.
8. Unisex Ultra Cotton Tee (Gildan 2000)
Price from: $10.72
With Printify Premium from: $8.47
- This shirt gives you more body and more old-school heft, which some customers still prefer.
- Thick cotton, a roomier cut, and classic sleeves make the shirt feel more substantial.
- A good pick for workwear-inspired custom t-shirts, louder chest logo placement, and no-frills promo printing.
9. Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee (Bella+Canvas 3001)
Price from: $10.98
With Printify Premium from: $8.77
- Yes, this shirt costs more than the bottom-tier blanks. It still belongs here because the value is real.
- The cut is cleaner, the shirt feels more retail, the sleeves sit better on the body, and the overall fit is closer to what customers expect from a brand they’d buy from twice.
- Many merchants stick with this shirt because customers love the fit, finish, and premium feel. For stores chasing repeat buyers, this is often the fantastic middle ground between affordable and elevated.
10. Unisex Creator 2.0 T-shirt (Stanley Stella STTU169)
Price from: $14.64
With Printify Premium from: $10.82
- This is the highest price on the list, but it still works for merchants who want low-risk premium positioning.
- Organic cotton, a polished build, and clean sleeves make this shirt a smart fit for a more conscious brand.
- If you sell elevated custom apparel and want the blank to help tell the story, this shirt earns its place.
For more styles for ladies, men, and kids, browse Printify’s custom t-shirts or compare the best t-shirts for printing before you commit.
Common mistakes when ordering custom t-shirts
Once you’ve found a few blanks you like, the next trap is buying too fast. This is where merchants lose margin, time, and patience.
- Choosing the absolute cheapest blank
Low price is useful when ordering custom t-shirts. Low standards are not. The wrong shirt can hurt reviews, returns, and perceived quality. - Ignoring the printing method
Some art needs screen printing. Some art needs digital printing. Bad method, bad result. - Skipping samples
Order the t-shirt. Touch the t-shirt. Wash the t-shirt. Check the sleeves, print, and fit before you go live. Sample orders are non-negotiable. - Forgetting the math on the minimum
Minimums come in different shapes – a local printer wants 24 t-shirts upfront, another buries the requirement inside pricing rules. Read the fine print. Printify never tells you how to do your business – order just one shirt or hundreds. - Buying in bulk too early
Bulk ordering is useful when demand is proven. Before that, bulk is just expensive optimism. - Not checking quality cues
Look at fabric, shape, print area, and whether the blank matches your brand. One cheap shirt can lower the perception of the whole store.
Picked your shirt? Design and order it with Printify
Good. Now let’s get it made. The best time to test a product is before you’ve had twelve meetings about it.
Printify makes that part easy, which is exactly why merchants partner with us to create and launch custom t-shirts fast.
Sign up for a free Printify account
Create a free account so you can explore the platform, compare blanks, and check your options before you spend anything.
It’s a low-pressure way to create your first product and see what fits your business – no credit card, no commitment, no minimum t-shirt volumes.
Choose the right t-shirt
Pick the shirt that matches your niche, your brand, and your margin target from our huge Catalog (over 1,300 products, hello?).
Some custom t-shirts work better for giveaways, some for retail, and some for team orders or one-time events. Focus on fit, fabric, and starting price, not only the cheapest option on the page.
Create t-shirt designs
Use the Product Creator to upload your unique designs, place your logo, personalize with text and free clipart, and build clean mockups.
Every design gets a free artwork proof through Printify’s mockup preview before anything goes to print – so you can catch issues early.
It’s a great tool if you want to move fast and you’re not a graphic designer or don’t have a design team – the free built-in graphics library, AI Image Generator, and templates handle the basics.
Connect your store
Once the design looks right, connect Printify to your website or sales channel and publish the product.
This is where everything comes together. Once you publish, Printify syncs your custom t-shirts, routes orders to the Print Provider, and handles production and shipping automatically. You sell, we print and ship – no warehouse, no packing tape, no fulfillment headaches.
Order samples and launch your marketing
Before you go all in, order a sample. Check the print, fit, fabric, and overall quality in real life. Then start marketing with confidence.
Use the mockups, build a clean product page, and decide whether offers like free shipping make sense for your margins. It’s a smarter way to test demand, save money, and launch without guessing.
Quick tip
Offer free shipping above a clear threshold, like “Free shipping on orders over $50.” It lifts average order value and feels easier to justify than blanket free shipping on every order. 39% of shoppers abandon checkout because extra costs are too high.
FAQ
For small runs, Print on Demand with DTG is usually the best way to achieve cheap t-shirt printing – no setup fees, no inventory risk, and no minimum order. For simple artwork in large quantities, screen printing often wins on per-unit cost. The best method depends on the design, order size, and turnaround time you need.
If you want custom t-shirts with no minimum order volume, Printify is the place to start. No forced stock, no heavy upfront spend, and enough low-cost blanks to test your ideas before you commit to a bigger move. You can order a single shirt or scale to large group orders, free of minimum order requirements.
The lowest starting price on this list is under $8(with Printify Premium). The final cost shifts depending on the blank, print area, and supplier. Faster delivery, additional print placements, and the exact quantity all affect the total. That’s why comparing product pages matters before you commit.
For more info on shipping, check Printify’s shipping rates.
They can be. The trick is choosing a shirt that matches the job. Some shirts are perfect for giveaways, others for stores, and others for a polished brand. Cheap doesn’t mean bad. Lazy selection does.
Keep the art simpler, limit extra placements, and avoid overbuying. Evaluate free shipping carefully and move to bulk only when the data supports it. That’s how you save money without losing the quality your customers pay for.
Create awesome t-shirt styles with Printify
The smartest approach to cheap t-shirt printing is the one that leaves you with margin, decent quality, and a shirt good enough to bring customers back for a second order. Pick the blank with intent, match the printing method to the design, and let demand tell you when to scale.
Do that, and custom t-shirts affordable enough to test can still feel sharp, sell well, and support a real business.
