Decoration Pricing Considerations

Understanding what affects pricing can help you choose the best decoration method for your needs. Below is a breakdown of the key cost factors for each method we offer.

Screen Printing

What affects the price:

• Number of colours in your design – Each colour requires a separate screen and setup.

• Print size and placement – Larger prints or multiple print locations cost more.

• Garment colour and fabric – Dark garments may need an underbase or blocker layer.

• Order quantity – Larger runs reduce the cost per unit through economies of scale.

Embroidery

What affects the price:

• Stitch count – More stitches = more thread, time, and cost.

• Design complexity – Intricate logos require more setup and stitching time.

• Garment type and location – Heavier fabrics or tricky placements can increase the cost.

• Order quantity – Like screen printing, bulk orders lower the per-unit price.

Heat Transfer (e.g. Supacolour, DTF)

What affects the price:

• Size of the transfer – Common sizes include 100x100mm, A6, A5, A4. Larger = higher cost.

• Number of placements – Printing on front and back? Each placement adds to the cost.

• Order quantity – More garments = better pricing per unit.

Decoration Price Considerations Table

Cost Factor	Screen Printing	Embroidery	Heat Transfer (Supacolour/DTF)
Design Complexity	Higher cost for more colours	Higher cost for more stitches and fine detail	Flat rate based on size – detail doesn’t affect price
Number of Colours	Each colour = separate screen (adds to setup cost)	N/A – pricing based on stitch count, not colour	Unlimited colours included at no extra cost
Artwork Size	Larger print = more ink and higher cost	Larger embroidery = more stitches = higher cost	Larger transfer = higher cost (A6, A5, A4 tiers)
Garment Colour/Type	Dark garments may need an underbase or blocker	Some fabrics (like heavy jackets) may require specialist setup	No major impact, though some fabrics may require pre-treatment
Print/Decoration Location	Extra placements (e.g. sleeve + chest) = higher cost	Unusual locations (e.g. collar, cap side) may cost more	Each placement adds to total cost
Order Quantity	Larger orders reduce per-unit cost significantly	Bulk orders lower cost per unit	Better pricing at higher volumes
Setup Costs	Moderate–High (due to screen creation per colour)	Moderate (based on stitch file digitisation)	Low (main cost is per-transfer)
Best For	Mid-large runs of garments with limited colour changes	Durable branding on caps, polos, outerwear	Detailed, full-colour logos or small runs with fast turnaround