DTF pricing calculator
Most print shops undercharge because they price against the blank and forget their own time. Enter your real costs below and get a suggested price, the profit you keep per item and your true margin after marketplace fees.
Suggested price
$24
73% margin · $17.43 profit per item
This order (25 items)
Revenue
$600
Profit
$436
Your cost per print depends heavily on the machine you run — ink usage and film width vary enormously between models. Compare running costs across every DTF printer we track before you lock in your pricing.
How to price DTF printing properly
A DTF printed shirt has three cost components: the blank garment, the consumables (ink, film and adhesive powder) and your labour. The first two are easy to measure. The third is the one that quietly destroys margins, because pressing, peeling, folding and packing an order takes real minutes that never appear on an invoice.
For a standard 11" × 14" front print you are looking at roughly $0.80 in consumables, $3.50 for a mid-range blank tee and four to six minutes of handling. At a $25 hourly rate that is about $6.30 all in — which is why $22 retail works and $12 does not.
Typical price points by channel
| Channel | Typical price | Target margin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail / direct | $20 – $28 | 60 – 70% | You keep the full margin but pay for marketing |
| Etsy / marketplace | $22 – $32 | 50 – 60% | Price up to absorb ~11% in fees |
| Wholesale to businesses | $10 – $15 | 35 – 45% | Lower margin, higher volume, repeat orders |
| Contract decorating | $6 – $10 | 25 – 35% | Customer supplies blanks; you charge for the print only |
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for a DTF printed shirt?+
Most sellers price a standard printed tee at $18–$28 retail against an all-in cost of $4–$7. Wholesale to local businesses typically runs $10–$15. The right number depends on your blank cost, print size and how much of your own time each order takes.
What margin should I aim for on DTF printing?+
Aim for 50–70% gross margin on retail orders and 35–45% on wholesale. Below 40% there is little room left to absorb reprints, returns and marketplace fees.
Should I include my own labour in the price?+
Yes. Pressing, weeding the sheet, folding and packing take four to eight minutes per item. Ignoring that time is the most common reason small print shops feel busy but unprofitable.
How do marketplace fees change my pricing?+
Etsy and similar platforms take roughly 10–12% once listing, transaction and payment fees are combined. This calculator subtracts that from your profit so the margin shown is what you actually keep.
Should I charge less for bulk orders?+
Yes, but discount the labour rather than the materials. Consumable cost per shirt does not fall with volume, while your time per item does once you are pressing a run of identical designs.