T-Shirt Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate your exact net profit per shirt factoring in wholesale garment blanks, DTG or screen printing, custom neck tags, packaging, and ad CAC.
Apparel & T-Shirt Production Parameters
To calculate custom t-shirt profit, subtract the blank garment cost, printing fee (DTG or screen print allocation), custom neck tags, packaging, shipping, marketplace fees, and advertising costs from your retail price. Net profit equals retail price minus total landed garment and fulfillment expenses.
What the T-Shirt Profit Margin Calculator Does
Apparel is one of the largest categories in direct-to-consumer ecommerce, but pricing custom t-shirts requires balancing multiple production variables. A blank shirt invoice is only the first step: print technique (screen printing vs direct-to-garment DTG), additional print locations, woven neck tags, poly mailers, and shipping postage heavily impact unit margins.
The MerchSites T-Shirt Profit Margin Calculator structures every apparel production tier. It calculates your exact gross garment margin, net profit per shirt, contribution profit before ad spend, and maximum allowable customer acquisition cost.
Who Should Use This Calculator
Designed specifically for apparel brands, merchandise printers, and clothing sellers:
Independent Apparel Brands
Streetwear brands and graphic tee labels purchasing wholesale blanks in volume and decorating via local print shops.
Merchandise & Band Merch Creators
Musicians, YouTubers, and podcasters selling limited-edition event merch online or on tour.
Garment Blank Tiers & Material Costs
Wholesale blank t-shirt prices vary based on fabric quality, cotton weight (GSM), and brand reputation:
| Garment Tier | Example Brands | Avg Blank Cost | Target Retail Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy / Promo | Gildan 5000, Fruit of the Loom | $2.20 - $3.50 | $18.00 - $22.00 |
| Mid-Tier Retail | Bella+Canvas 3001, Next Level 3600 | $4.00 - $5.80 | $24.00 - $30.00 |
| Heavyweight / Streetwear | Comfort Colors 1717, LA Apparel 1801GD | $6.50 - $9.50 | $34.00 - $44.00 |
DTG vs Screen Printing Quantity Cost Curves
Direct-to-Garment (DTG) has no screen setup fees, making it ideal for 1 to 24 shirts ($4.00 to $7.00 print cost per shirt).
Screen Printing carries setup fees per screen ($20-$30 per color), but unit print costs drop drastically on production runs over 50 shirts ($1.50 to $3.00 per shirt).
Worked Example: $28 Heavyweight Graphic Tee
An apparel brand sells a mid-tier combed cotton graphic tee for $28.00 retail with $4.00 customer shipping (Total Payment = $32.00).
Common Apparel Pricing Pitfalls
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal profit margin for t-shirt sales?
A standard gross margin for custom t-shirts is 50% to 65%. Net profit margins after accounting for shipping, transaction fees, and advertising CAC typically fall between 20% and 35%.
Financial Disclaimer: MerchSites tools and guides provide estimates for product pricing, margin analysis, and expense planning. All calculations are performed locally in your web browser. Content is for educational purposes and does not constitute formal tax, legal, or accounting advice.