If you''re shopping around for custom t-shirt printing in Atlanta, you''ve probably noticed that "How much will it cost?" is the hardest question to get a straight answer to. Quote forms ask for your life story before they show a number. Generic calculators online aren''t tied to any real shop. So here it is, straight from a working Atlanta print shop: what custom t-shirts actually cost in 2026, by method, by quantity, with no email gate.

The TL;DR

For one shirt with a one-location print, expect to spend roughly $25–$32. At 24 shirts you''re closer to $14–$18 each. At 100+ you''re in the $8–$12 range. The big variables are print method (DTF and screen printing scale very differently), number of print locations (front, back, sleeves), and rush.

Pricing by method

DTF transfers (most popular)

DTF (Direct-to-Film) is the workhorse for low-quantity, full-color jobs. You can run a single shirt with a 7-color photo print and it''s still affordable, because there''s no per-color screen setup. At low quantities, DTF is almost always cheaper than screen printing.

1 shirt, front print: ~$15
1 shirt, front + back: ~$30
12 shirts, front print: ~$15 each
50 shirts, front print: ~$11 each
100+ shirts, front print: ~$8–$10 each

Screen printing

Screen printing wins on bigger jobs (50+ shirts) if your design is one to three colors. Each color in your art requires its own screen ($20–$40 setup per color, per location), so a 6-color screen print on 12 shirts gets expensive fast. Above 50 shirts the per-shirt print cost drops to the lowest of any method.

24 shirts, 1-color front: ~$13–$15 each
50 shirts, 1-color front: ~$9–$11 each
100 shirts, 2-color front + back: ~$11–$13 each
250+ shirts, 1-color: ~$6–$8 each

Embroidery

Embroidery is priced by stitch count, not by color. A small left-chest logo (around 5,000 stitches) is typically the most cost-effective embroidery option. Full-back embroidery exists but is dramatically more expensive than printing the same area.

Polo with small left-chest logo: ~$22–$30
Cap with front logo: ~$15–$20
Jacket with chest + sleeve logo: ~$45–$60

What actually changes the price

1. Quantity

Price-per-shirt drops in clear tiers — typically at 12, 24, 50, 100, and 250 shirts. If you''re right below a tier, adding one or two more shirts can lower your total cost (yes, really).

2. Number of print locations

Every additional location (front, back, left sleeve, right sleeve) is roughly an extra $4–$8 per shirt on top of the base. Front + back is the most common "two-location" combo. Sleeve prints are great branding but read as a third location for pricing.

3. Garment choice

The same design on a Gildan 5000 (basic blank tee) costs less than on a Bella+Canvas 3001 (premium triblend). Hoodies and polos cost more than tees. Comfort Colors are popular but premium-priced. The catalog shows blank prices for every brand we print.

4. Turnaround

Our standard turnaround is 2–7 business days at the listed price. Rush jobs (under 48 hours) add roughly 20–30% to the base. Same-day jobs are possible for small DTF runs picked up locally in Fairburn — call ahead.

5. Art prep

Print-ready art (PNG with transparent background, 300 dpi) is free to use. If your file needs vectorizing or color separation work, there''s usually a one-time art fee of $20–$50 depending on complexity. Most jobs don''t need this.

What about minimums?

There aren''t any. The whole Atlanta market has been moving away from "12-shirt minimums" since DTF became viable, and we don''t require one. If you want a single shirt with a single design, that''s a real order. The price-per-shirt is just higher.

Local pickup vs. shipping

Pickup at our Fairburn, GA shop is free. Shipping is calculated at checkout — most orders ship for $7–$15. Orders over $150 ship free anywhere in the continental US.

FAQ

What''s the cheapest way to print one t-shirt in Atlanta?

DTF transfer on a basic Gildan 5000. Around $15 out the door for a front-only print.

How many shirts do I need to order before screen printing is cheaper than DTF?

For a 1-color design, screen printing usually wins around 50+ shirts. For a 2-color design, somewhere around 100 shirts. For 4+ colors, DTF stays cheaper even at large quantities.

Do you charge for art?

Not for print-ready art. If your file needs work (vectorizing, color separation), we''ll quote the art fee up-front before we do anything.

How fast can I get them?

Standard is 2–7 business days from approved mockup. Rush jobs are quoted case-by-case but we can often turn small DTF runs in 24–48 hours.

Can I see an exact price right now?

Yes — our instant quote calculator lives prices in real time. Pick your garment, method, and quantity and the number updates as you change inputs. No email required, no waiting on a salesperson.

Get an actual quote

The numbers above are ballpark — for an actual price tied to your garment, color, sizes, and turnaround, use the Instant Quote. If you''d rather start with the design first, our free Design Studio lets you build the mockup, then it carries directly into a quote with one click.

TShirt Brothers is a working print shop in Fairburn, GA serving Atlanta and the south metro. Pickup is free at the shop; nationwide shipping available.

How Much Does Custom T-Shirt Printing Cost in Atlanta? (2026 Price Guide)