How Much Does It Cost to Make a T-Shirt? A Transparent Cost Breakdown for Brands
COST CONSOLE / 2026 PLANNING GUIDE
A standard branded cotton T-shirt typically costs $3.00–$6.00 FOB to manufacture in India at small-to-medium production volumes. A realistic landed cost is often $4.50–$8.00 per piece after freight, duty, customs handling and delivery to your warehouse.
The final number depends on the product specification, quantity, destination market and shipping method. “A T-shirt” is not one cost category. A 150 GSM promotional tee, a 180 GSM retail tee and a 240 GSM heavyweight streetwear tee use different materials, processes and production time.
This guide explains the real components behind T-shirt manufacturing cost, including FOB pricing, landed cost, MOQ trade-offs and hidden expenses.
Planning status: Indicative ranges only. Confirm the final price against approved specifications, quantity, delivery terms, HS code and current freight and duty rates.
01 / QUICK COST RANGE
| Product specification | Indicative FOB cost | Indicative landed cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Basic 140–160 GSM cotton tee | $2.50–$4.00 | $3.75–$6.00 |
| Standard 180–200 GSM branded tee | $3.50–$6.00 | $5.00–$8.00 |
| 220–280 GSM heavyweight tee | $5.50–$9.00+ | $7.00–$12.00+ |
| Organic or specialty-finish tee | $5.00–$9.00+ | $6.50–$12.00+ |
*Landed cost is indicative and assumes normal commercial freight. It varies by destination, order volume, duty rate, taxes and delivery terms.
For most founders estimating private label T-shirts cost, the most useful starting assumption is:
- 180–200 GSM, 100% cotton single jersey
- 1,000 pieces
- One basic screen print
- Custom neck and care labels
- Standard folding and polybag
- Sea or consolidated freight
A practical planning range is $4.00–$5.50 FOB and approximately $5.50–$8.00 landed.
02 / THE FOB COST STACK
FOB means Free On Board. In a typical export quote, it covers production and the agreed movement of goods to the named port. It usually excludes international freight, destination charges, import duty, local taxes and delivery to your warehouse.
The following table shows an illustrative cost breakdown for a standard 180–200 GSM cotton T-shirt produced in India at approximately 1,000 pieces.
| Cost component | Indicative cost per piece | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric and knitting | $1.50–$2.80 | Cotton yarn, single jersey fabric, knitting and wastage |
| Dyeing and fabric finishing | $0.25–$0.70 | Reactive dyeing, softening, enzyme or bio-wash where required |
| Cutting | $0.10–$0.30 | Marker planning, fabric spreading and panel cutting |
| Sewing / CMT | $0.45–$1.10 | Assembly, overlock, flatlock, neck rib and hemming |
| Trims and labels | $0.15–$0.55 | Main label, size label, care label, hangtag and thread |
| Printing or embellishment | $0.30–$1.50 | Screen print, transfer, embroidery or other decoration |
| Finishing and pressing | $0.10–$0.35 | Thread trimming, pressing, measurement checks and folding |
| Packaging | $0.08–$0.30 | Individual polybag, carton allocation and carton marking |
| Quality control and overhead | $0.20–$0.60 | In-line checks, final inspection, utilities and production administration |
| Local logistics and export documentation | $0.10–$0.35 | Movement to port and standard export paperwork |
Indicative FOB total: $3.25–$8.55 per piece.
The broad total reflects different combinations of quality, volume and decoration. A properly specified standard tee usually sits closer to the middle of the range, not the top.
At Openbiz, we match a requirement with suitable vetted mills or factories based on fabric, quantity, target price, capacity and production history. Our textile sourcing and manufacturing service is structured around one accountable coordination thread from enquiry to export.
03 / FABRIC IS THE FIRST CONTROL
Fabric commonly represents 40–55% of the FOB price. It is also the component most likely to change the product’s hand feel, appearance and repeatability.
GSM means grams per square metre. It describes fabric weight, not quality by itself.
| Fabric choice | Typical use | Cost effect |
|---|---|---|
| 140–160 GSM carded cotton | Promotional and lightweight tees | Lower fabric consumption and lower price |
| 160–180 GSM combed cotton | Standard retail basics | Balanced cost, softness and durability |
| 180–220 GSM combed or organic cotton | Premium retail and relaxed fits | Higher material cost and stronger hand feel |
| 220–280 GSM heavyweight jersey | Streetwear and structured silhouettes | More fabric, slower handling and higher freight weight |
A 240 GSM T-shirt uses materially more cotton than a 160 GSM version. A heavier fabric can also require different sewing settings, stronger rib and more careful handling.
Fiber choice matters as well:
- Standard cotton is the baseline.
- Combed cotton generally costs more than carded cotton.
- Organic or certified cotton adds certification and supply-chain costs.
- Blended fabrics may reduce cost, but they change performance, labeling and duty classification.
- Garment dye, enzyme wash, acid wash and special softening can add approximately $0.40–$1.50 per piece, depending on the process.
04 / WHAT MOVES THE PRICE
Specification pressure
Cost increases when the garment requires:
- Higher GSM or larger garment dimensions
- Organic, recycled or certified fibers
- Custom dye development
- Oversized or complex patterns
- Contrast panels, side inserts or special seams
- Multiple print locations
- Puff print, embroidery or high-density decoration
- Woven labels, special packaging or premium hangtags
- Wash testing, performance testing or additional inspections
Cost decreases when the product uses:
- One proven fabric quality
- A standard crew-neck construction
- One or two colourways
- A simple print method
- Standard labels and packaging
- A consolidated production run
- Sea freight instead of air freight
The lowest price is not always the lowest cost. A thin fabric may reduce the quote but increase returns, complaints and reorders lost to quality issues.
05 / MOQ VS UNIT PRICE
MOQ means minimum order quantity. Factories use MOQs to recover setup costs and keep production lines efficient.
At lower quantities, the factory still has to arrange:
- Fabric booking or knitting
- Dyeing and colour approval
- Pattern and marker preparation
- Cutting setup
- Print screens or embroidery files
- Labels and packaging
- Line planning and quality checks
An illustrative quantity curve for a standard branded tee may look like this:
| Quantity | Indicative FOB cost |
|---|---|
| 100 pieces | $4.50–$6.50 |
| 300 pieces | $4.00–$5.80 |
| 1,000 pieces | $3.50–$5.00 |
| 3,000+ pieces | $3.00–$4.50 |
These figures are not a quotation. They show the trade-off: a larger order can lower the unit price, but it increases inventory exposure and ties up cash.
For a new brand, compare two scenarios:
Scenario A , lower risk: 300 pieces across two colours, higher unit price, faster market feedback.
Scenario B , lower unit cost: 1,000 pieces in one colour, better production economics, higher inventory commitment.
A useful sourcing brief should request pricing at three quantities, such as 300, 1,000 and 3,000 pieces. This shows where the cost curve changes instead of forcing a single MOQ decision.
06 / FROM FOB TO LANDED COST
Landed cost is the amount required to place the product at your warehouse or fulfilment location.
Use this working formula:
Landed cost = FOB price + international freight + insurance + destination charges + import duty + taxes + local delivery
Example for a standard tee:
| Item | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| FOB manufacturing cost | $4.50 |
| Consolidated sea freight and handling | $0.70 |
| Customs and destination charges | $0.20 |
| Illustrative duty at 15% | $0.78 |
| Import taxes | Confirm by market |
| Subtotal before local tax treatment | $6.18 |
The 15% duty assumption is for modelling only. It is not a universal apparel rate.
T-shirts commonly fall under HS heading 6109 when knitted or crocheted. The final tariff line depends on fiber composition, garment category, destination and origin. Before placing an order, check the relevant official tool:
Ask your customs broker to confirm classification and current measures. Duty can materially change the result, especially where additional trade measures apply.
07 / HIDDEN COSTS TO INCLUDE
The quoted unit price is only one part of apparel manufacturing cost. Add a separate development and risk budget for:
- Pattern development and grading
- Tech-pack corrections
- Fabric and colour sampling
- Prototype and fit samples
- Print strike-offs
- Lab testing and wash testing
- Label and packaging setup
- Rejected or corrected samples
- Rework caused by measurement or shade variation
- Third-party inspection
- Air freight for samples or urgent replenishment
- Bank charges, currency conversion and payment fees
- Warehousing, fulfilment and local transport
Sampling may cost more per piece than bulk production because the factory is handling setup, pattern work and small quantities. Air freight can also add $0.80–$2.00 or more per T-shirt on small urgent shipments, depending on carton volume and destination.
Early checks are less expensive than final-stage correction. Confirm the physical sample before bulk production and approve the measurement chart, fabric, shade, print placement, labels and packing method in writing.
08 / HOW TO USE A TARGET PRICE PROPERLY
A target price is useful only when it is tied to a complete specification.
Instead of writing:
“Please quote your best price for a premium T-shirt.”
Write:
“Please quote a 180 GSM, 100% combed cotton single-jersey T-shirt, regular fit, reactive dyed, one-colour front screen print, printed neck label, woven care label, standard polybag, 300 / 1,000 / 3,000 pieces, FOB India. Please show sample cost, lead time, testing charges, packaging and estimated freight separately.”
Include:
- Fabric composition
- GSM and tolerance
- Fit and measurement chart
- Colour references
- Print or embroidery details
- Labels and packaging
- Size ratio
- Quantity by colour
- Destination port
- Required delivery date
- Compliance or certification requirements
- Target FOB and target landed cost
If the target is below the realistic range, change one variable at a time: reduce GSM, simplify decoration, consolidate colours, increase quantity or review the delivery term. Do not remove quality control as the first cost-saving measure.
FAQ / COST CHECK
How much does it cost to make a T-shirt?
A standard 180–200 GSM cotton T-shirt usually costs $3.50–$6.00 FOB and approximately $5.00–$8.00 landed, depending on quantity, destination and specification.
What is the cheapest T-shirt to manufacture?
A basic 140–160 GSM cotton tee with standard construction, minimal trims and one simple print is usually the lowest-cost option. Indicative FOB pricing can begin around $2.50–$4.00 at suitable volumes.
How much do private label T-shirts cost?
Private label T-shirts generally add $0.15–$0.60 per piece for labels, tags and packaging. Sampling, print setup and development charges may apply separately.
Does higher GSM always mean better quality?
No. Higher GSM means heavier fabric. Quality also depends on fiber, yarn, knitting, dyeing, shrinkage control, construction and finishing. Approve the physical sample rather than relying on GSM alone.
What is the difference between FOB and landed cost?
FOB is the agreed factory or port-side export price. Landed cost adds freight, insurance, customs charges, duty, taxes and local delivery to your destination.
What MOQ should a new clothing brand choose?
Request pricing at several volumes. For many new brands, 300–1,000 pieces per style or colour provides a workable balance between unit price and inventory risk. Low-MOQ production is possible, but the unit cost is usually higher.
How can I get an accurate T-shirt manufacturing quote?
Send a complete specification, reference image or tech pack with fabric, GSM, fit, quantity, decoration, labels, packaging, destination and required delivery date. We can then match the requirement with suitable Indian mills and factories, arrange samples and return a structured quotation.
NEXT / SEND THE SPECIFICATION
Start with the information already available:
Product / fabric / GSM / quantity / colour / print / labels / destination / target date.
We will review the brief, identify suitable production options and clarify the cost lines before sampling. One accountable partner. Production monitored on the floor. Documentation prepared from order placement through export.
For import-export businesses, see Openbiz import-export support or contact Openbiz through the company website.
Source note
Cost ranges in this guide are indicative planning figures informed by current industry cost references and India sourcing benchmarks. Final pricing depends on the approved product specification, order quantity, commercial terms, exchange rates, freight market and destination-country tariff treatment. Verify current duty and tax rates with the relevant customs authority before ordering.