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Custom T-Shirt: A Printify Alternative Pricing and Lineup Guide

May 3, 2026 6 min read By Cameron Wells
Quick Answer
Table of Contents
  1. The t-shirt tiers and VIP base pricing
  2. Cotton, triblend, or performance: which to stock first
  3. How a Printify-connected tee order compares
  4. Print placement and color options
  5. Pricing a tee for margin
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

The custom t-shirt is where most new apparel shops start, since it is the lowest price point and the easiest first purchase for a new buyer. A Printify-connected storefront sources tees through whichever print provider fits the design and fabric, with pricing that varies by provider and shipping calculated at checkout. Bear Grips Pro Shops prices tees in a fixed catalog starting at $19.88 VIP base, with premium and performance options available at higher tiers.

The t-shirt tiers and VIP base pricing

ProductBrandVIP base
Airlume Cotton Athletic TeeBear Grips$19.88
Women's Favorite TeeBella+Canvas$19.88
Premium CVC Jersey TeeNext Level$24.88
Men's Moisture-Wicking TeeSport-Tek$23.86
Men's Premium Triblend Crew TeeNext Level$23.88

The Airlume Cotton Tee and Women's Favorite Tee are the two lowest-cost entry points, while the triblend and moisture-wicking options give a shop a performance or lifestyle upgrade tier.

Cotton, triblend, or performance: which to stock first

A standard cotton tee is the right default for most shops since it holds a print sharp and appeals to the widest buyer base. A triblend option adds a softer hand and a slightly more premium retail price, useful once a standard tee proves it sells. A moisture-wicking performance tee fits gyms, studios, and athletic teams specifically, and is worth adding for that audience even in a general merch shop.

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How a Printify-connected tee order compares

A tee ordered through a Printify-connected storefront runs through the print provider that stocks the chosen blank in that network, meaning base price and available fabric options can vary by provider. Shipping is typically calculated separately and passed to the buyer at checkout in that setup. A seller pricing a tee drop should total the blank cost plus shipping for a fair comparison against the flat, shipping-included price on a fixed catalog.

Print placement and color options

Unlimited print colors are included at the same per-piece price, whether the design is a simple one-color wordmark or a full-color graphic. Common placements include left chest, full center chest, full back, or front-and-back combos. There is no per-color or per-placement surcharge on the base price.

Pricing a tee for margin

Most vendors price a standard cotton tee $10-15 above VIP base and a triblend or premium tee $11-18 above base. Since the base already includes free shipping, that retail price is the full price the buyer sees at checkout, with no separate shipping charge to explain. See the hoodie lineup for the higher-margin upsell tier alongside tees.

Print Custom Tees From $19.88

No order minimum, unlimited colors, free shipping included. Set your retail price and keep the margin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest custom t-shirt option?

The Airlume Cotton Athletic Tee and the Women's Favorite Tee (Bella+Canvas) are both $19.88 VIP base, the lowest tee prices in the catalog.

Is there a per-color charge for a multi-color design?

No. Unlimited colors are included at the same per-piece price.

Can I order a single tee to test a design before a full launch?

Yes. There is no order minimum, so a single test piece prints at the same base price as a bulk order.

Do tees ship separately from hoodies in a mixed order?

No. Mixed orders ship together where possible, free of charge, in about a week.

Cameron Wells
Cameron WellsCustom Apparel and POD Industry Writer

Cameron has been writing about the custom apparel and print on demand industry for seven years, with a background in e-commerce operations. He covers platform comparisons, no-minimum vendors, and what is changing for small custom merch businesses.

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