Heat press transfers cost $2.00 to $4.00 each at Marie Gems, plus your own blank shirt and a heat press, while a finished custom tee costs $24.99. Pressing your own wins when your blank costs less than about $20.99, a number I call the blank budget. Here is the math for one shirt, six shirts and a team of twelve.
I run Marie Gems, a DTF transfer shop in Wichita, Kansas, with more than 500 orders shipped and no minimum on any transfer. Some customers come for the transfer so they can press their own shirts, and some come for a finished shirt because they do not own a press. Both are fair choices, so here are the real prices side by side. Every price below is before shipping and tax.
How much do heat press transfers cost compared with a finished custom shirt?
A ready-made transfer is $2.00 to $4.00, a custom transfer from your own artwork is the same price by size, and a finished custom tee is $24.99 for Small through XL. The transfer routes leave you to buy the blank and press it. The finished shirt does not.
| Route | Price per shirt | What you still need |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-made transfer at 12" (one) | $4.00 (5 for $18.00, 10 for $34.00, 20 for $64.00; see all sizes and prices) | A blank and a heat press |
| Custom transfer from your artwork (Custom Ready-to-Press DTF Transfer) | $4.00 at 12", the same price as a ready-made transfer | A blank and a heat press |
| Finished custom tee (Custom Personalized T Shirt) | $24.99 for Small to XL, $26.99 for 2XL, $27.99 for 3XL, up to $29.99 | Nothing, made to order with a free design proof |
| Ready-made graphic tee, such as the 19 Tabs Open tee | $19.99 for Small to XL | Nothing, but you pick from the designs in the shop |
What is the blank budget?
The blank budget is the most you can pay for a blank shirt before pressing your own costs more than ordering a finished one. I work it out by taking the finished price and subtracting the transfer price. It does not count your time, and it does not count the price of a heat press.
| Finished piece | Finished price | Blank budget with a $4.00 ready-made 12" transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Personalized T Shirt | $24.99 | $20.99 |
| Custom Personalized Sweatshirt | $34.99 | $30.99 |
| Custom Hoodie Graphic Sweatshirt | $44.99 | $40.99 |
I do not sell blank shirts, so I cannot quote your blank price. Look up the blank you would actually buy and compare it with the budget in the table.
What does a team of 12 shirts cost each way?
Twelve finished custom tees cost $299.88, while twelve 12" transfers cost $42.00, which is one 10-transfer tier at $34.00 plus two singles at $4.00. That leaves $257.88 for twelve blanks, so pressing wins if each blank costs less than $21.49.
The same math for six shirts: six finished tees are $149.94, and six 12" transfers are $22.00 (the 5-transfer tier at $18.00 plus one single at $4.00). Pressing wins if each blank costs less than $21.32. The bigger the group, the more the transfer tiers save, and my guide to DTF transfer prices by size and pack shows how far the per-transfer price falls.
When is a finished custom shirt the better buy?
A finished custom shirt is the better buy when you do not own a heat press, when you need one shirt, or when you want a proof before anything is made. The Custom Personalized T Shirt is made to order with a name, photo or logo, and a free design proof is emailed before production.
If you need a press, each shirt you press saves the difference between the finished price and your blank plus transfer. Divide the price of a press by that saving to see how many shirts it takes to pay for itself. If you are putting a setup together, the heat press and pressing tools are on my heat press and sublimation supply list on Amazon. (That is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
What blank do heat press transfers need?
The blank needs to be cotton, polyester or a cotton and polyester blend that can take heat and pressure, in a light or dark color. Press at 320°F for 15 seconds with firm, even pressure and cold peel, and see my DTF pressing guide for the settings on one page.
Which route fits which project?
- One gift, no press: the finished custom tee at $24.99.
- A team, class or crew: ready-made transfers on your own blanks. My guide to custom school shirts walks through a class set.
- Your own logo or artwork: a custom transfer at the same price by size as a ready-made one, or the finished tee if you want it done for you.
- A tote instead of a shirt: see my custom canvas tote bag guide, which runs the same comparison.