If you’re planning to start a clothing brand or source polo shirts for your business, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:
How much does it cost to manufacture a polo shirt?
The short answer: anywhere from $4 to $25 per piece, depending on multiple factors like fabric, order quantity, customization, and production location.
With years of experience in the fashion industry, I’ve seen it all. This insight allows me to guide you towards making informed decisions for your brand.
Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. stands out，As a trusted manufacturing partner for global brands like American Eagle Outfitters, Uniqlo, Zara, Gap, Levi’s, and Lee, we ensure our cost breakdowns are transparent, accurate, and aligned with international production standards.With a focus on transparency, quality, and cost-efficiency, our cost breakdowns cover every key component—from fabric and trims to labor and overhead—helping you budget effectively for bulk production, private labels, or custom-branded polo shirts.
How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture a Polo Shirt?
At the beginning, a lack of clarity about polo shirt manufacturing costs can easily lead to pricing mistakes and reduced profit margins. Polo shirts involve more components than basic T-shirts—such as collars, plackets, and buttons—so understanding the true cost structure is especially important. So, how much does it actually cost to manufacture a polo shirt?
On average, manufacturing a polo shirt costs between $4 and $25 per piece. The main cost factors include fabric type (such as cotton piqué or polyester blends), sewing labor, collar and placket construction, embroidery or printing, buttons, labels, packaging, and shipping. Premium fabrics, embroidered logos, complex designs, and smaller order quantities generally push the cost higher, while large-volume orders and simplified designs help reduce the per-unit manufacturing cost.
Average Cost to Manufacture a Polo Shirt
Here’s a general cost range based on common production scenarios:
| Production Type | Estimated Cost per Polo Shirt |
|---|---|
| Basic polo (bulk order) | $4 – $8 |
| Mid-range branded polo | $8 – $15 |
| Premium custom polo | $15 – $25+ |
These prices usually exclude shipping, duties, and taxes.
Complete Cost Breakdown
A polo shirt’s manufacturing cost consists of:
| Item | Cost Share |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 35%–45% |
| Labor | 18%–25% |
| Trims | 5%–8% |
| Printing/Embroidery | 6%–12% |
| Packaging | 3%–6% |
| QC & Management | 3%–5% |
| Margin | 5%–8% |
Key Factors That Affect Polo Shirt Manufacturing Cost
1. Fabric Type and Quality
Fabric is the largest cost driver in polo shirt manufacturing.
Common fabric options include:
- Cotton Piqué – breathable, classic polo fabric
- Cotton Jersey – softer, lighter
- Polyester – cost-effective, moisture-wicking
- Cotton-Poly Blend – balance of comfort and durability
- Organic Cotton – eco-friendly but more expensive
Fabric cost impact:
- Basic cotton: lower cost
- Organic or performance fabric: +20–40% increase
2. Order Quantity (MOQ)
The more you order, the lower your cost per unit.
- Small orders (100–300 pcs): higher unit cost
- Medium orders (500–1,000 pcs): optimized pricing
- Large orders (3,000+ pcs): best cost efficiency
Manufacturers spread fixed costs (patterns, sampling, setup) across larger quantities.
3. Customization & Design Details
Customization adds value—but also cost.
Common custom features:
- Embroidered logo
- Screen or heat transfer printing
- Custom collar and cuff design
- Contrast buttons
- Woven labels and hangtags
Cost impact:
- Simple logo print: +$0.30 – $0.80
- Embroidery: +$0.80 – $2.50
- Full customization: +$2 – $5+
4. Manufacturing Location
Where your polo shirts are made significantly affects cost.
| Country | Cost Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China | Medium | Strong supply chain, stable quality |
| Vietnam | Medium-Low | Competitive pricing |
| Bangladesh | Low | Very cost-effective, high MOQ |
| Turkey | Medium-High | Fast delivery to Europe |
| USA / EU | High | Best for small batches & speed |
5. Labor and Production Complexity
A basic polo shirt requires:
- Cutting
- Sewing
- Button placket construction
- Collar attachment
- Quality inspection
More complex designs = more labor hours = higher cost.
6. Packaging and Accessories
Often overlooked costs include:
- Polybags
- Custom boxes
- Hangtags
- Size stickers
Packaging cost: $0.20 – $1.00 per piece
Geographical Cost Differences in Polo Production
Labor and overhead vary globally:
| Region | Labor Cost (Avg. per shirt) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | $1.00–$1.80 | Low cost, large capacity |
| China | $1.50–$2.50 | Balanced cost and tech |
| Vietnam | $1.20–$2.00 | Strong export infrastructure |
| Turkey | $2.50–$3.50 | Proximity to EU, fast lead time |
Tips to Reduce Polo Shirts Production Cost Without Sacrificing Quality
- Choose mid-range fabric blends
- Simplify customization design
- Optimize packaging choices
- Consolidate shipping
- Work with OEM for large orders
Factors Influencing the Cost to Manufacture a Polo Shirt
Fabric and Material Selection:
The fabric choice is the biggest cost driver for a polo shirt. Cotton piqué, organic cotton, performance polyester, or blended fabrics all vary significantly in price. Basic polyester or cotton-poly blends help keep costs low, while premium cotton or sustainable materials can increase the per-piece cost noticeably.
Labor and Construction Complexity:
Unlike basic T-shirts, polo shirts require additional construction steps such as collars, plackets, buttons, and reinforced seams. These added processes increase sewing time and labor costs. More detailed stitching or higher-end finishing will further raise manufacturing expenses.
Order Quantity (MOQ):
Larger orders significantly reduce the cost per polo shirt because fixed expenses—patterns, sampling, and setup—are spread across more units. Small-batch production usually results in much higher per-unit costs.
Customization and Branding:
Embroidery, custom buttons, contrast collars, woven labels, and hangtags all add to the final manufacturing cost. Embroidered logos are especially common for polo shirts and typically cost more than simple screen printing.
Manufacturing Location:
Producing polo shirts in countries like China, Vietnam, or Bangladesh generally offers lower labor costs and competitive pricing. Manufacturing in the U.S. or Europe is much more expensive but may be preferred for faster turnaround, lower minimums, or “Made in USA” branding.
Logistics and Shipping:
Sea freight is the most cost-effective option for large orders but requires longer lead times. Air freight significantly increases costs and is usually reserved for urgent or smaller shipments.
Quality Control and Compliance:
Higher quality standards, factory audits, and compliance with international labor and environmental regulations can increase costs but reduce risks. Reliable manufacturers may charge more, but they deliver consistent quality and fewer production issues.
Brand Positioning and Customer Expectations:
Premium brands often accept higher manufacturing costs to maintain quality and brand image. In contrast, price-sensitive brands prioritize cost efficiency, opting for simpler designs and lower-cost production methods.
Together, these factors explain why the cost to manufacture a polo shirt typically ranges from $4 to $25 per piece, depending on materials, design complexity, order size, and production location.
What’s the Best Fabric for Polo Shirts?
Polo shirts are a versatile and timeless wardrobe essential, but with so many fabric options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. If you’re looking for a polo shirt that offers everyday comfort and breathability, natural fibers like cotton are a great choice. Cotton fabrics—especially cotton piqué—are soft, breathable, and help regulate body temperature, making them ideal for all-day wear in warm or mild climates.
If you want a polo shirt with better durability and wrinkle resistance, cotton-polyester blends are worth considering. These fabrics combine the comfort of cotton with the strength and easy-care benefits of polyester, making them popular for workwear, uniforms, and casual use. For active or performance-focused polos, polyester or moisture-wicking fabrics are designed to keep you cool and dry by pulling sweat away from the skin, which is ideal for sports or outdoor activities.
And if you’re looking for a premium feel or a bit of stretch, polos made with elastane (spandex/Lycra) blends provide added flexibility and a cleaner fit. No matter your lifestyle or purpose—casual wear, business, or performance—there’s a polo shirt fabric that perfectly matches your needs.
Why Choose Newasia Garment Co., Ltd.
Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. is a professional polo shirt manufacturer with full vertical production.
We are also a trusted partner of:
American Eagle Outfitters, Uniqlo, Zara, Gap, Levi’s, and Lee.
Advantages:
✔ Direct factory pricing
✔ Cost engineering team
✔ Stable capacity
✔ Transparent quotation
✔ Global compliance
Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
State-of-the-art production facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology and skilled workforce delivering superior quality leggings at scale.
Production Excellence
%Automated Production Lines
140 fully automated production lines with advanced cutting and sewing technology for consistent quality.
🧪Quality Control Laboratory
In-house testing facility ensuring fabric durability, color fastness, and performance standards.
♻Sustainable Practices
Eco-friendly manufacturing processes with recycled materials and water conservation systems.
END-TO-END
Polo Shirt Manufacturing Services—Quality, Fit & Branding in Every Stitch
At Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd., we go beyond basic manufacturing. We’re a one-stop custom polo shirt manufacturer offering everything under one roof—from sourcing premium fabrics to final packaging for fashion brands, sportswear labels, lifestyle retailers, and corporate clients—so you can focus on building your brand, not managing production headaches.
Here’s what sets our service apart:
All-in-One Manufacturing Partner
We handle everything from fabric sourcing and pattern development to sample making, bulk production, and finishing. Whether you’re launching a new line or scaling an existing one, our streamlined workflow ensures speed and consistency.
Hundreds of Fabric Options
Choose from a vast library of high-quality materials, including combed cotton, organic blends, jersey, French terry, and pigment-dyed fabrics—each curated for comfort, durability, and print compatibility.
Strict Quality Assurance for Complex Designs
Our in-house quality control team follows rigorous checkpoints across every stage of production—especially for garments involving advanced techniques like screen prints, intricate embroidery, or layered embellishments. This ensures your most unique designs are executed with precision and consistency, every time.
Flexible MOQ Starting at 100 Pieces
Our minimum order quantity starts at just 100 pieces per style, with the flexibility to mix colors and sizes—ideal for small batch releases, capsule collections, or product testing.
Private Label Branding Options
Elevate your brand with fully customizable features: logo embroidery, screen prints, woven neck labels, hang tags, packaging, and more.
Tailored Sizing & Fit Development
We offer true custom sizing beyond the standard S/M/L. Develop fits that flatter your specific customer base, whether you’re creating streetwear, athleticwear, or gender-inclusive collections.
TECHNOLOGY
Polo Shirt Customization & Finishing Techniques
Our in-house capabilities allow you to enhance your polo shirts with premium branding and design touches. Whether you’re targeting a classic aesthetic or a more modern, athletic look, we have the tools and experience to deliver.
A classic and cost-effective option for large-scale graphics. Our high-quality screen printing delivers sharp detail, vibrant colors, and long-lasting wear—ideal for logos, artwork, and bold slogans.
Give your garments a premium edge with embroidery. From small chest logos to all-over embroidery designs, our machines can produce clean, layered detailing with custom thread colors and density control.
Add texture and uniqueness with rhinestones, studs, appliqués, sequin work, patches, or contrast fabric layering. These techniques are ideal for streetwear and high-fashion collections.
Perfect for multicolor or photorealistic designs. We use both vinyl and DTF heat transfer methods to reproduce even the most intricate visuals on cotton and blended fabrics.
Want to explore the full range of custom techniques we offer? Contact us to discuss your ideas.
Why CHOOSE US
Why Brands Trust Dayu Fashion
We’re not just a polo shirt manufacturer—we’re an extension of your brand. Our clients choose to work with us not only for the quality of our garments, but for the reliability, communication, and care we bring to every project. Whether you’re a growing startup or an established brand, we act as your dedicated production partner—committed to protecting your designs, meeting your standards, and supporting your long-term growth in a competitive market.
- Premium Craftsmanship & Attention to Detail
- Rigorous Quality Control
- Flexible Minimums, Scalable Production
- Proximity to Major Fabric Markets
- Clear & Responsive Communication
- Expertise in Customization
- Trusted by Brands Worldwide
KEY FEATURES
- Designs supported: Classic polo, slim fit, contrast collar, long/short sleeve
- Fabrics available:
- Piqué cotton 100%
- CVC / TC / polyester dry-fit
- Organic or recycled cotton (on request)
- Decoration methods:
- Logo embroidery (chest, sleeve, back)
- Silkscreen print, heat transfer
- Label & branding:
- Woven label, heat transfer neck tag, care label, hang tag
- Packing:
- Individual polybag, custom barcode/carton printing
📦 MOQ & DELIVERY
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| MOQ | No MOQ |
| Sampling time | 5–10 business days |
| Production lead time | 15–30 days (after sample approval) |
| Shipping options | FOB Hai Phong / EXW Hanoi / CIF worldwide |
💼 WHO IS IT FOR?
- Fashion brands with private label polos
- Corporate clients needing staff uniforms
- Promotional campaigns and giveaways
- Sports teams, schools, or NGOs
- E-commerce sellers (Amazon, Shopify, Shopee)
OUR PROCESS
Comprehensive Manufacturing Services
End-to-end solutions tailored to your brand’s specific requirements with flexible production options and dedicated support.
Complete production services based on your designs and specifications with guaranteed quality standards.
✅Your design, our expertise
✅Flexible MOQ options
✅Cost-effective solutions
✅Fast turnaround times
Full service from concept to production including design development and trend analysis.
✅Complete design solutions
✅Trend research & analysis
✅Technical development
✅Market-ready products
Build your brand with comprehensive private label manufacturing and white label options.
✅Brand development support
✅Custom labeling & packaging
✅Exclusive product lines
✅Market positioning advice
Rigorous quality control systems ensuring international standards and customer satisfaction.
✅AQL 2.5 inspection standards
✅OEKO-TEX certified fabrics
✅ISO quality management
Worldwide shipping solutions with real-time tracking and comprehensive logistics support.
✅Global shipping network
✅Real-time tracking
✅Insurance coverage
✅Customs clearance support
Eco-friendly production processes with sustainable materials and responsible practices.
✅Recycled materials
✅Water conservation
✅Energy efficient processes
✅Carbon footprint reduction
Our Services
You need a good T-shirt manufacturer that will go the extra mile for you to get it right. You will need solid support in the development stages. And then, of course, you will also need solid planning to keep your delivery on-schedule, so you don’t miss your product launch. Professional quality control is a must if you want to have brand-level products on the shelves.
We can create your unique design and add graphics and logos to your jersey.
Different countries, different brands all have different sizes. Our team will help you make the optimised sizing chart for your target market
We have professional designers who can design different styles of Jackets for you.
Our clothes are available in a variety of materials such as cotton, spandex and polyester.
No need to find other packaging factories, we can provide you with custom packaging services for clothing, including labels, tags, cartons.
We can customize various colors for you. You can also choose from our color card.
Certified Professional Clothing Producer
We are very proud of these certificates! They represent Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd. ’s amazing achievements and accreditations. They show how much we care about quality, safety, and professionalism.
We’re proud to say that we have obtained BSCI and ISO 90001 certificates, and inspection certificates for filling materials such as down and cotton. We follow international standards throughout our production process and take responsibility for the quality of our products.
As one of China’s leading clothing manufacturers, we are pleased to be recognized by respected organizations. These certifications underscore our reliability as a trusted supplier to the global apparel industry.
Trusted Certificates：
Why Choose Us
 Independent base We have our own laboratory and can independently develop fabrics , China  Professional certification Certification: ISO 9001, ISO 14001，BSCI，GRS |  Full-equipped Full-equipped, from fiber manufacturing, yarn spinning, weaving, dyeing and processing to finished product production  Rich experience Professional, large and experienced design team, combined with the latest artificial intelligence technology |  Our Facilities 12,000 skilled employees, daily production capacity exceeds 100,000 pieces  Fashion exhibition Participated in domestic and foreign fashion weeks and exhibitions many times |
Trusted by Global Clients
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is your Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)?
We specialize in flexible production solutions to support emerging brands and growing businesses.
- For highly customised or technical garments (such as specialised denim washes or intricate embroidery), MOQ requirements may range from 200 to 300 units.
- Our standard MOQ ranges from 100 to 300 units per design, depending on fabric availability and production complexity.
- For best pricing efficiency, MOQ is typically based on 300 per style per colour.
- You can mix colors and sizes within the same style and fabric for greater flexibility.
Q2: What Services Do You Offer?
We provide full-cycle fashion support, including:
- Sourcing: Local and global raw material, fabric R&D, and procurement (trims) with cost optimization.
- Manufacturing: Custom manufacturing with quality control checkpoints.
- Design & Development: Assistance with tech packs, trend research, and collection building.
- Logistics: Shipping coordination to your warehouse or 3PL.
- Sustainability Consulting: Eco-fabric sourcing, ethical production planning.
Q3: Can I Customize My Designs Fully?
We work with both OEM (your design, our production) and ODM (our templates customized for you) models. Customization options include:
- Fabric type and color
- Fit and sizing
- Printing (screen, DTG, sublimation, embroidery)
- Accessories (zippers, buttons, cords)
- Labels, hangtags, branded packaging
Q4: What are your sustainability practices?
We’re committed to responsible manufacturing through:
- Waste reduction programs and ethical labor practices (BSCI certified)
- GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled material options
- OEKO-TEX® certified dyes and processing
- Energy-efficient production technology
Q5: What Are Your Lead Times?
For in-stock items: ships worldwide within 3–7 days For custom orders: production lead time 15–30 days Urgent / Express Options: Available at a premium. Timing can vary depending on fabric development, approval cycles, and order complexity.
Q6: What is your production capacity?
Our facility employs 12,000 skilled employees, daily production capacity exceeds 100,000 pieces. We handle orders from 100 pieces to 50,000+ units across:
- Activewear and sportswear
- Denim and casual wear
- Children’s clothing
- Technical apparel
Q7: Where are your garments produced?
Our headquarters are based in China, where we operate our own vertically integrated factory. Our infrastructure and strategically placed worldwide manufacturing facilities allow us to offer extremely competitive pricing for fully custom clothing. offer flexible production options tailored to your needs. All manufacturing is supervised by our quality control team to ensure consistent standards.
Conclusion
Yes—when done right.
With manufacturing costs as low as $6–$10 per piece, polo shirts can retail for $30–$80, offering strong profit margins for brands, wholesalers, and private labels.
Understanding how much it costs to manufacture a polo shirt gives you a major advantage in pricing, sourcing, and scaling your business.If you want accurate polo shirt manufacturing costs, working directly with a professional factory ensures better transparency and profit control.
Contact Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. for a customized quotation.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture a Polo Shirt