Creating a T-shirt seems simple, but the manufacturing process involves a web of costs—from fabric sourcing to ethical labor—that can make or break your brand’s margins. In 2025, with rising material prices (up 10% YoY) and sustainability demands, t-shirt manufacturing costs average $3 to $20 per unit, depending on quality, location, and scale. Whether you’re a startup eyeing blanks or a premium label chasing organic cotton, understanding these factors is key to profitable production. Let’s break it down.
Average Cost to Manufacture a T-Shirt by Country
| Country | Average Factory Cost (Per T-Shirt) | Production Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.00 – $4.00 | Advanced automation, diverse fabrics, reliable quality |
| Bangladesh | $1.50 – $3.00 | Low-cost labor, high-volume capacity |
| Vietnam | $2.50 – $4.50 | Stable quality, ethical standards |
| India | $2.00 – $4.00 | Organic cotton sourcing, sustainable dyes |
| USA | $7.00 – $15.00 | Local production, smaller batches, higher labor cost |
💡 Most global fashion brands — including Uniqlo, Hanes, and Nike — manufacture in Asia to balance cost efficiency with consistent quality.
Detailed T-Shirt Production Cost Breakdown
Every T-shirt passes through multiple stages of design, sourcing, cutting, and finishing. Here’s how the cost per piece typically breaks down:
| Component | Estimated Cost (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric & Materials | $0.80 – $2.00 | Cotton, polyester, blends, or organic fabric |
| Labor (Cutting & Sewing) | $0.50 – $1.20 | Skilled operators handle stitching and quality control |
| Printing / Embroidery | $0.30 – $1.50 | Screen print, digital print, embroidery, puff print |
| Labels, Tags & Packaging | $0.20 – $0.80 | Includes woven labels, hangtags, poly bags |
| Overhead & Factory Margin | $0.30 – $1.00 | Energy, admin, inspection, and profit margin |
👉 Total Average Cost: $2.00 – $6.50 per T-shirt (depending on design and volume)
How Much Does It Cost a Company to Make a T-Shirt?
For manufacturers, t-shirt manufacturing costs span $3 for basic poly blends in bulk to $20+ for premium, customized units—factoring in materials (40-50% of total), labor (20-30%), and overhead. This range reflects 2025 realities: inflation on cotton (up 8%) vs. stable synthetics.
Factors Affecting T-Shirt Manufacturing Costs
Key drivers include:
- Fabric Costs The biggest chunk—choose wisely for your vibe. Basic cotton suits casual drops; organics appeal to eco-shoppers.
| Fabric Type | Cost Per Yard | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Cotton | $1–$3 | Budget tees, promo wear |
| Premium/Organic Cotton | $5–$15 | Sustainable, luxury lines |
| Polyester | $1–$2 | Athleisure, quick-dry |
| Blends (Poly-Cotton) | $2–$5 | Versatile everyday shirts |
Fabric quality comparison: From budget cotton to premium organics in t-shirt production.
- Labor Costs Location dictates: Asia keeps it low; West hikes for ethics.
- China/Bangladesh/Vietnam: $1–$3/shirt (sewing/QC).
- US/EU: $8–$20/shirt (union wages, compliance).
- Production Scale Volume slashes costs: 10,000+ units? Save 20-30% via efficiencies. Small runs (100-500)? Add $2-5/unit for setups.
- Add-Ons & Customization Screen printing: $2-5; embroidery: $3-10; labels/tags: $0.50-2. Eco-dyes? +$1-3.
In 2025, AI-driven automation (e.g., auto-cutters) trims 10-15% off labor-heavy runs, per industry reports.
Factors That Influence T-Shirt Manufacturing Cost
- Fabric Type
- Regular cotton: affordable and soft.
- Organic cotton: eco-friendly but pricier.
- Polyester or blends: durable and moisture-wicking.
- Heavyweight or specialty fabrics: increase base cost.
- Printing and Decoration
- Screen printing = cost-effective for bulk.
- Digital printing = vibrant, for small batches.
- Embroidery or puff print = premium finish.
- Order Quantity (MOQ)
- Larger orders reduce unit cost.
- Small-batch orders (100–300 pcs) incur setup and sample fees.
- Production Location
- Asian factories like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. deliver high-quality output at globally competitive pricing.
- Sustainability Standards
- Organic dyes, recycled fabrics, and ethical audits (like BSCI, GRS, OEKO-TEX®) add value but slightly raise production costs.
How T-Shirts Are Manufactured — Step-by-Step Production Process
At Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., we follow a world-class, vertically integrated T-shirt manufacturing process to ensure precision and consistency from start to finish.
1. Fabric Sourcing & Development
We select from a wide range of high-quality materials — 100% cotton, combed ringspun cotton, polyester, recycled fibers, and organic blends — sourced from trusted mills.
2. Pattern Design & Cutting
Our pattern team creates size-graded templates and uses automatic cutting machines to ensure minimal fabric waste and consistent sizing.
3. Stitching & Assembly
Each panel is sewn using industrial flatlock and overlock machines. Quality is inspected at every stage by our trained supervisors.
4. Printing & Embellishment
We offer multiple surface decoration methods:
- Screen Printing
- Digital Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
- Puff / Silicone / Flock Print
- Embroidery & Chenille
5. Washing & Finishing
Garments undergo softening, enzyme wash, or garment dyeing for a perfect finish.
6. Quality Inspection & Packing
Every piece is checked for stitching accuracy, color fastness, and labeling before shipping.
Sustainability and Ethical Production
At Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., we believe in responsible fashion.
Our T-shirt production integrates eco-conscious technology and ethical labor compliance:
- BSCI & ISO 14001 Certified facilities
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard) fabrics
- OEKO-TEX® certified dyes (no harmful chemicals)
- Water-saving washing & solar-powered production lines
- Recycled packaging options
Why Choose Newasia Garment Co., Ltd. for Your T-Shirt Manufacturing
We are a leading OEM/ODM apparel manufacturer with 39+ years of experience serving brands, retailers, and startups worldwide.
✅ Direct Factory – No Middlemen
Save costs through our vertically integrated supply chain.
✅ Flexible MOQ – Start from 100 pcs/style
Perfect for new clothing brands or limited-edition drops.
✅ Full Customization Options
Fabric, fit, color, printing, embroidery, and packaging.
✅ Global Delivery
Fast lead times: 15–30 days worldwide with customs support.
✅ One-to-One Service
Dedicated project manager provides real-time production updates.
How Much Does It Cost to Create a T-Shirt Brand?
Beyond per-unit t-shirt manufacturing costs, launching a brand demands $10K-50K upfront—covering dev, production, and promo. POD (print-on-demand) lowers to $5K, but custom scales higher.
Why Do Printing, Embroidery, and Customization Raise Prices?
Decoration and branding add significant value — but also increase cost.
Each design location, color count, and technique (like embroidery or heat transfer) adds to the total cost per shirt.
Popular Customization Options and Additional Cost:
| Method | Add-on Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing (1-color) | $0.15 – $0.40 | Each color and location increases the cost |
| DTG Printing | $0.80 – $1.50 | Suitable for small orders and color images |
| Embroidery | $0.60 – $1.20 | Pricing depends on stitch count and size |
| Neck Label Print | $0.05 – $0.10 | Private label friendly, cost-effective |
| Custom Hang Tags | $0.08 – $0.20 | Includes punching, tying, and tagging |
If your budget is tight, go with a single-color screen print and printed neck label. Avoid complex multi-location artwork or large embroidery patches to reduce overall cost.
What Types of T-Shirts Can We Manufacture?
See below for our complete list of T-shirt types and designs so that you can find what suits you best.
✅Women T-shirts
✅Oversized T-shirts
✅Fitness T-shirts
✅Polo T-shirts
✅Bamboo T-shirts
✅Neon T-shirts
✅Men T-shirts
✅Long sleeve T-shirts
✅Baseball T-shirts
✅Blank T-shirts
✅Organic cotton T-shirts
✅Hemp T-shirts
Enhance Your Brand with Premium Washed Apparel
We specialize in providing high-quality, customizable washed apparel, including T-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies,denim clothes and jackets. With a variety of washing techniques to choose from, we help you showcase your brand’s unique personality through every garment.
✅Enzyme Washing
✅Acid Washing
✅Gradient Washing
✅Stone Washing
✅Destroy Washing
✅Ink Splash Washing
✅Tie Dyeing
✅Hanging Dyeing
From Factory to You, Cut Out the Middleman
- Say goodbye to the waiting game with direct communication.
- Work directly with the team to create custom products to your exact needs.
- No middlemen means no markup—just direct, cost-effective pricing.
- No guesswork—get a clear view of your costs and progress.
We can provide
We are a clothing manufacturing group that focuses on producing high-quality clothing and adhering to the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Fully custom garments, designed and produced to your specifications by a trusted clothing manufacturer.
Jackets | Denim | streetwear | Sports wear | And more
MOQ: Starts at 300 pieces per model/color
Personalize our premium blank apparel with prints, embroidery, labeling, and more, from a reliable garment manufacturer.
MOQ: 100 pieces per model/color.
High-quality, ready-to-brand apparel Made in Portugal in our clothing manufacturer for startups for premium garments.
No MOQ | No minimum quantities
How Do We Guarantee the Quality
Our quality assurance begins with designing and planning, then continues through every step of the production and post-production inspections. Delivery is not an ending. We still offer money-back guarantee for quality issues.
When sourcing fabrics, we will check all related fabric certificates from our suppliers.
We make sure the fabric is well pre-washed to meet the standards before cutting.
All our workers are well-trained and have many years of experience in the garment industry. They are all local workers with high stability.
Our quality team will follow SOPs to conduct five times of quality checks before shipping.
Clothing Manufacturer – Customized Clothing Solutions For Every Concept
We deliver fully integrated, end-to-end apparel manufacturing that seamlessly blends design intent with technical execution. Our in-house fabric R&D lab develops proprietary textiles—from advanced performance blends to sustainable cottons and recycled polymers—ensuring material innovation aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and functional needs.
Through precision pattern engineering and fabric mapping, we create tailored through relaxed silhouettes optimized for drape, movement, and consistency. Each collection is supported by comprehensive development services: tech pack preparation, size grading, garment dyeing, custom washes, and specialty finishes. With full control over the entire supply chain—from yarn to final garment—we guarantee quality, scalability, and brand integrity across every piece we produce.
Trusted Certificates：
Why Choose Newasia Garment Co.,Ltd.
✅ Flexible MOQ –We accept a minimum order quantity of 100 pieces, allowing you to quickly test the market.
✅ Factory-Direct Pricing – We own our production lines, so you don’t pay middleman markups.
✅If a product becomes a hot seller, we can quickly reorder within 7-10 days to ensure uninterrupted sales.
✅We produce a wide variety of products in small batches, eliminating inventory risk.
✅Like Shein, we help you build a supply chain that supports small orders and fast returns.
✅Global Shipping – Experience with international logistics and customs
✅Custom tags and packaging options for bulk buyers, full customization of washes, embroideries and trims to meet your unique needs.
✅Flexible low MOQ for boutique brands + large-scale capacity for wholesalers
✅Trusted by top denim brands worldwide (Levi’s, Lee, Diesel, AEO)
✅Production scale – 140 lines, 12,000 workers, 15–30 day lead time
✅ Wide Fabric R&D and procurement – Organic cotton, recycled polyester, stretch denim, and performance blends.
✅ Private Label Services – Labels, hangtags, packaging tailored to your brand identity.
✅ Size Inclusivity – Full range from petite to plus-size.
✅ Sustainability Certifications – International quality standards – BSCI, OEM/ODM ISO14001 manufacturing certified, organic cotton and sustainable processes
✅ Reliable Lead Times – For in-stock items: ships worldwide within 3–7 days，For custom orders: production lead time 15–30 days
✅ Fast Lead Times – Ready-to-ship stock jeans + made-to-order production.
✅ Global Shipping – FOB and DDP options to the US, EU, and worldwide.
FAQ – T-Shirt Manufacturing Costs
Q1: How much does it cost to manufacture a T-shirt in China?
A: On average, between $2 and $4 per piece, depending on fabric type and order size.
Q2: What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
A: Our MOQ starts at 100 pieces per design — ideal for startups.
Q3: Do you offer private label or white label T-shirts?
A: Yes! We customize your labels, tags, packaging, and designs to match your brand.
Q4: How long is the production time?
A: Typically 15–30 days, including sampling and bulk production.
Q5: Can you make sustainable T-shirts?
A: Absolutely. We offer organic cotton, recycled polyester, and eco-dyeing options.
Conclusion
So, how much does it cost to manufacture a T-shirt?
The answer depends on your design, fabric, and order size—but with a trusted partner like Newasia Garment Co., Ltd., you can achieve premium quality at affordable prices.
From concept to final shipment, we deliver custom T-shirts that reflect your brand’s identity while supporting sustainability and global scalability.
👉 Start your custom T-shirt line today — partner with Newasia Garment Co., Ltd.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture a T-Shirt ? Full Breakdown & Factors