Whether you’re outfitting a team, business, or event, custom bulk t shirts are one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways to create a unified look. Not only do bulk orders save you money, but they also streamline the production process, making it easier to create high-quality, professional-looking apparel at scale.

At Underground Printing, we specialize in bulk custom t shirt printing and can guide you through every step—from selecting the best apparel and customization method to ensuring you get the best price per shirt. Before placing your order, here’s 5 things you need to know to make the most of your bulk purchase.

1. Order a Variety of Sizes

One of the biggest mistakes when ordering custom bulk t shirts is not considering size distribution. If you’re supplying shirts for a group, team, or event, you’ll want a mix of sizes to ensure everyone gets the right fit.

• Know your audience: Are you ordering for kids, adults, or a mix of both?
• Balance your order: Generally, medium and large sizes tend to be the most popular.

Getting the sizing right ensures that everyone can wear your custom shirt, making your investment go further.

2. Fewer Colors = More Savings

Color is an important design element, but using too many colors in your print can increase costs significantly—especially with screen printing.

• Screen Printing: The more colors you add, the higher the cost per shirt. Keeping your design to 1-3 colors helps keep pricing low.
• Full-Color Designs: If you need detailed or multicolor artwork, consider digital printing or heat transfer methods.
• Minimalist Designs: Sometimes, simple is better. A monochrome logo or single-color design can still make a bold impact while keeping costs manageable.

For example, if you’re screen printing a simple one-color design, your cost per shirt will be significantly lower compared to a full-color, multi-layered print. A basic black or white print on a colored shirt is one of the most affordable options, while vibrant multi-color designs or gradients require more printing time and materials, increasing the cost. If you want a full-color logo but need to save money, consider reducing the number of colors or simplifying the design for a bold yet budget-friendly result.

If you’re working within a budget, consider how simplifying your color palette can help save on bulk pricing.

3. More Shirts = Lower Cost Per Shirt

Bulk ordering is all about getting more for your money. The larger your order, the cheaper the price per shirt.

For example:

• 500 custom t shirts (1-color print on Gildan Heavy Cotton) → $4.65 per shirt
• 1,000 custom t shirts → $3.67 per shirt

That’s nearly a 20% price drop just by increasing your order quantity! Bulk custom t shirt ordering is the best way to maximize value while maintaining high-quality printing.

4. Try Before You Buy – Sample Your Shirts in Store

Not sure which t-shirt style is best for your bulk order? Visit one of our Underground Printing locations to check out samples of our most popular styles before you commit.

Why it matters:

• Feel the fabric – Some shirts are thicker, softer, or more fitted than others.
• Compare printing methods – See how embroidery, screen printing, or digital printing look on different materials.
• Ask our team for advice – Our experts can help you choose the best shirt and customization method for your needs.

Sampling before ordering ensures that you’re 100% satisfied with your custom bulk t shirts before they go into full production.

5. Bulk Printing Isn’t Just for T Shirts – Consider Sweatshirts and Hats (and more!)

Custom bulk t shirts are a staple, but if you’re placing a bulk order, consider adding sweatshirts, hats, or other custom apparel.

• Sweatshirts & Hoodies: A great option for cooler seasons, corporate giveaways, or high-end branding.
• Hats: Fantastic for work environments and every day wear with loads of styles to choose  from.
• Combo Orders: Pairing t-shirts with matching hoodies can create a full merch collection or team set.
• Bulk Pricing Applies: Ordering 12+ sweatshirts in bulk significantly reduces the per-item cost, just like with t-shirts.

Another great idea? Bundle different apparel items together. Many brands and teams order matching hoodies, sweatpants, or even hats alongside their bulk t-shirts. This creates a complete, coordinated look for employees, event staff, or sports teams. Plus, bulk ordering multiple items together can increase overall savings—since print setup fees and bulk pricing often apply across multiple products. Offering a mix of t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants also ensures you have options for every season, making your custom apparel investment last all year.

Expanding beyond t-shirts allows for more variety and increased brand exposure—whether for employees, students, or event attendees.

Why Bulk Orders Save You Time & Money

Cost-Effective Bulk Pricing

Ordering in bulk means bigger savings per item—allowing you to maximize your budget while maintaining quality. Whether you need 50 or 5,000 custom shirts, we ensure that you get the best pricing possible.

Let’s say you need 200 shirts for a corporate event. If you order 100 now and 100 later, you might miss out on bulk discounts that could have saved you hundreds of dollars. Ordering in bulk from the start also ensures consistent branding—you won’t risk reordering and getting slight fabric or color differences between separate batches. If you’re planning for multiple events throughout the year, consider ordering extra shirts upfront to lock in lower pricing and ensure supply when you need it most.

Streamlined Ordering & Production

Bulk orders help simplify production and ensure uniform quality across all shirts. Instead of placing multiple small orders, bulk printing allows for:
✔ Faster turnaround times
✔ Consistent branding across all items
✔ Lower costs per shirt

Great for Businesses, Teams & Events

Bulk ordering is ideal for:

• Corporate branding – Outfit employees with custom business apparel.
• Sports teams – Get matching team gear at a lower per-item cost.
• Event giveaways – Conferences, charity runs, and festivals all benefit from cost-effective custom t shirts.

Bulk printing is the most efficient and affordable way to create high-quality, customized apparel at scale.

Start Your Custom Bulk T Shirt Order Today!

Ordering custom bulk t shirts is the easiest and most cost-effective way to create customized apparel for businesses, teams, and events. Whether you need screen printing, embroidery, or full-color designs, Underground Printing has the experience, quality, and bulk pricing to help you get exactly what you need.

Get started on your bulk order today!

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