How screen printing prices are built
A screen print quote has three parts: the garment, a per-print charge that rises with each extra ink color, and one-time setup for each screen (burning, taping and registering). Setup is fixed, so it is spread across the whole order. That's why a 12-piece order costs far more per shirt than a 144-piece order.
The calculator adds these up, divides by quantity for cost per unit, then applies your markup to give a retail price per piece.
Quantity breaks and minimums
Most shops publish price breaks, for example 12–23, 24–47, 48–71, 72–143 and 144+, and a minimum order of 12–24 pieces. Run the calculator at each break to build your price grid, and make sure the smallest tier still covers setup and labor.
Pricing mistakes that cost print shops money
- Forgetting the second location. Front and back is two sets of screens and two print passes.
- Not charging for underbase on dark garments. A white underbase is an extra screen.
- Pricing only materials. Labor, press time, rejects and overhead need to be in the markup.
- Quoting from memory. A written quote with the same inputs every time keeps pricing consistent between staff.