Pricing for custom sweatshirt printing depends on several moving parts, and understanding them upfront makes it much easier to budget accurately for your next order, whether it's for a small team, a school group, or a full merch run.

What Affects the Price of a Custom Sweatshirt?

Blank garment quality

The base sweatshirt itself is the biggest cost driver. A basic fleece sweatshirt sits at a lower price point than a heavyweight, brushed-back option from brands like AS Colour or Gildan. Higher GSM (grams per square metre) fabric generally costs more but offers better durability and a premium feel.

Print or embroidery method

Screen printing is typically the most cost-effective option for bulk orders with one or two colours. DTG (direct-to-garment) and DTF (direct-to-film) suit smaller runs or designs with lots of colour detail, and pricing scales differently since there's no setup cost per colour. Embroidery is priced by stitch count rather than colour, so a dense or large logo will cost more than a simple text design.

Number of colours in the design

For screen printing specifically, each additional colour in your design adds a setup cost, since a separate screen is needed for every colour. Single-colour designs are the most budget-friendly.

Order quantity

Unit price drops as quantity increases. Printing 10 sweatshirts costs more per item than printing 100, because setup costs get spread across a larger run. The good news is there's no minimum order quantity, so small runs are still accessible if you only need a handful.

Placement and size of the design

A small left-chest logo costs less than a large full-back print. Multiple placements (front and back, or front and sleeve) also add to the total.

Garment colour

Printing light ink on a dark sweatshirt sometimes requires an underbase layer for the colours to show properly, which can add a small cost for screen printing specifically.

Rough Price Ranges to Expect

While exact pricing depends on the specifics of your order, here's a general idea of what shapes the final quote:

• Single-colour logo, screen printed, bulk quantity: lowest cost per unit

• Multi-colour or photographic design via DTG/DTF: mid-range, scales well for smaller orders

• Embroidered logo: priced by stitch count, competitive for small to mid runs

• Premium heavyweight blanks with detailed print or embroidery: highest cost per unit

For an accurate number, it's best to run your design through an online quote or design tool, since factors like garment brand, colour count, and placement all interact to determine the final price.

Does Order Size Change the Price Per Unit?

Yes. Bulk orders bring the price per sweatshirt down significantly because setup costs (screens, digitising for embroidery, etc.) are fixed regardless of how many garments are printed. That said, there's no minimum order requirement, so a one-off custom sweatshirt or a small batch for a family reunion is still entirely doable it just carries a higher per-unit cost than a 50-piece team order.

Can I Get a Custom Sweatshirt Printed Quickly?

Turnaround doesn't have to blow out your timeline. With in-house production based in Castle Hill, Sydney, orders placed before 11am can be turned around overnight, with free local pickup available or Australia-wide shipping for everyone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is embroidery more expensive than screen printing?
It depends on the design. Embroidery pricing is based on stitch count, so a simple logo can be very cost-competitive, while a large or highly detailed design may cost more than an equivalent screen-printed version.

Does the sweatshirt brand affect the price?
Yes. Brands like AS Colour, Gildan, Bocini, JB's Wear, Biz Collection, Aussie Pacific, Portwest, Ramo, Hard Yakka, King Gee, and Syzmik each sit at different price points depending on fabric weight and construction.

Is there a minimum order quantity for custom sweatshirts?
No minimum order applies, so single pieces and large bulk runs are both catered for.

Can I design my sweatshirt online before ordering?
Yes, an online drag-and-drop design tool is available to preview placement, colours, and artwork before confirming an order.

Does a multi-colour design always cost more?
For screen printing, yes, since each colour requires a separate screen. For DTG, DTF, and embroidery, colour count has less impact on price, as these methods aren't limited by screen setup.