At Merchy’s, we want to make sure you understand exactly how we develop quotes for custom apparel printing. This article explains how and when you’ll receive a quote, what’s included in it, and why prices sometimes vary. Use this as a guide to getting accurate, reliable pricing for screen printing, embroidery, and other custom apparel services.

How Customers Receive Quotes

• Initial Request
  You send us the details of what you want: type of garment(s), design or logo (file or idea), number of pieces, print or embroidery locations, fabric type, deadline, etc.
  
  

• Review & Clarification
  Our team checks the files/designs (or you share proofs or mockups) and may ask follow-up questions if something is unclear (e.g., resolution, color format, embroidery stitch count).
  
  

• Quote Preparation
  We factor in all cost components (garments, printing/embroidery, setup, labor, etc.) and develop a detailed quote. Usually this comes via email or through our quoting page / portal.
  
  

• Delivery of Quote
  The quote includes the total cost, sometimes the cost per piece (unit cost), payment terms, estimated lead time, and what’s included (e.g. proofs, shipping, any extra charges).
  
  

What’s Included in a Quote

When Merchy’s provides a quote, you can expect the following to be clearly specified:

• Garment Cost
  Type of apparel (e.g., t-shirt, hoodie, hat), fabric type, style, brand – all influence garment cost.
  
  

• Decoration Cost
  This covers the printing or embroidery costs: number of colors, size/location of print or logo, stitch count (for embroidery), special inks or materials.
  
  

• Setup / Artwork Prep Fee
  Costs for preparing artwork (color separations for screen printing, digitizing for embroidery), creating screens or molds, making proofs, etc.
  
  

• Quantity & Volume Discounts
  The number of units you order heavily influences price per unit. Generally, higher quantities lower the unit cost because fixed costs (setup, labor, screens etc.) are spread over more pieces.
  
  

• Garment Type & Quality
  Heavier fabrics, premium brands, moisture-wicking or specialty fabrics cost more. Certain styles (long-sleeves, hoodies vs basic t-shirts) also carry higher base costs.
  
  

• Design Complexity
  More colors, more print locations (front, back, sleeves, hood, etc.), specialty inks (metallic, neon, puff, etc.), or highly detailed embroidery all raise cost.
  
  

• Delivery / Shipping / Turnaround Time
  Rush orders or special shipping may incur extra fees. Proofs and revisions can add time and sometimes cost.
  
  

• Any Additional Fees
  Examples: special garment finishes, fabric treatments, underbase for dark shirts (required in screen printing), special ink costs, extra artwork revisions, etc.
  
  

Why Pricing May Vary

Here are the major variables that cause different quotes to come back with different pricing, even for what may look like similar orders:

1. Quantity of Pieces
   An order for 25 shirts will have a higher cost per shirt than an order for 250 because setup and fixed costs are spread out. (Naka Apparel)
   
   

2. Garment Type & Fabric
   Basic cotton tees are less expensive than blended fabrics, premium or athletic gear, hoodies, or specialty fabric. Also, larger sizes (XXL+) may use more fabric, affecting cost. (Naka Apparel)
   
   

3. Design Complexity / Number of Colors / Print Locations
   More colors mean more screens or more embroidery stitches; print location (sleeve, back, pocket) sometimes adds cost. Specialty inks/materials also increase pricing. (Naka Apparel)
   
   

4. Artwork / Setup Costs
   If the artwork you provide needs conversion, clean-up, vectoring, resizing, or other prep, that adds time and thus cost. Also, creating screens (for screen printing), or digitizing (for embroidery) are setup steps. (Logo Unlimited - Merch Made Better)
   
   

5. Turnaround Time / Rush Orders
   Needing the order done quickly may mean paying extra for overtime, fast-track production, expedited shipping. (US Colorworks)
   
   

6. Specialty Inks / Effects / Finishes
   Metallic, neon, glow-in-the-dark, puff, or glitter inks; underbases for dark shirts; embroidery thread specialty; additional embellishments raise costs. (Naka Apparel)
   
   

Tips for Getting an Accurate Quote From Merchy’s

To help us give you the most precise quote possible, here are some best practices:

• Provide High-Quality Artwork Early
  Send vector files if you have them (AI, EPS, PDF) or high resolution raster images; note any required color codes. This reduces back-and-forth and surprise fees.
  
  

• Specify Garment Style, Brand, Fabric
  If you already know what type of t-shirt or hoodie or hat you want, tell us brand or fabric or even send a link. If not, we can suggest options, but quotes may vary depending on your final choice.
  
  

• Tell Us Exact Quantities for Each Size / Style
  For example, how many in S, M, L, XL etc; and how many of each garment style (if mixing). This helps avoid underestimating materials, labor, or setup.
  
  

• Define Print Locations and Colors Up Front
  Decide where the design goes (front, back, sleeve, pocket) and how many colors. If you plan extra placements later, it’s good to mention now.
  
  

• Ask About Turnaround Time & Deadlines
  If you have a firm date you need your garments, tell us up front. Rush work or tight deadlines may cost more.
  
  

• Inquire About Bulk / Volume Discounts
  If you think you might order more (or several batches), ask if there are price breaks for larger quantities.
  
  

• Clarify Any Special Effects or Finishes
  If you want specialty inks, custom labels, custom patches, or other effects, mention them in your request.
  
  

FAQs

Q1: How long does it take to get a quote from Merchy’s?
Typically within 1–2 business days after we receive all needed details (artwork, garment info, quantities, etc.). More complex jobs may take a bit longer for clarification.

Q2: Can I get a quote if I’m still choosing my garment or fabric?
Yes. We can provide a ballpark estimate with options. Actual price may change when garment or fabric is finalized.

Q3: Why does a quote change if I increase quantity?
Because many costs (like setup, artwork prep, screen creation) are mostly fixed. Spreading those fixed costs over more pieces lowers the cost per piece. Also, bulk orders sometimes qualify for discounts.

Q4: Are there additional fees besides what I see in the quote?
We aim to include all known costs in the quote. But factors like unanticipated artwork revisions, additional print placements not originally specified, or very fast turnaround (rush) may add on. We’ll let you know ahead of time if anything extra is needed.

Q5: What happens if I need a revision after approving the quote or mock-up?
If you request changes to artwork, print location, garment style, or other major changes after approval, we may need to revise the quote. Minor adjustments are often manageable, but significant changes can affect cost or lead time.

If you’d like us to prepare a quote for your project, just fill out our quote request form with as many of these details as possible — we’re here to help make the process smooth and transparent.