Sacramento Custom Apparel Guide
Custom Apparel Pricing in Sacramento
A practical breakdown across screen printing, embroidery, and DTG—plus a decision framework buyers can use immediately.
Quick Answer
- Bulk (50+): screen printing usually wins on cost per item.
- Small runs: DTG is often best, especially for full-color art.
- Premium look: embroidery is ideal for hats/polos/workwear.
Pricing ranges (Sacramento quick table)
| Method | Best for | Typical pricing pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Screen printing | Bulk orders | Setup fees + low cost per unit at scale |
| DTG | Small runs, full color | No screens; higher per-unit price |
| Embroidery | Hats, polos, workwear | Digitizing + stitch-count driven pricing |
The 6 pricing factors that matter most
- Quantity (biggest driver of per-unit cost)
- Garment type (blank cost + availability)
- Artwork complexity (colors, separations, stitch count)
- Placement count (front/back/sleeve)
- Timeline (rush fees)
- Finishing (bagging, tagging, folding, labeling)
Decision framework (choose the right method)
Choose screen printing if…
- You need 24+ pieces
- Your design is bold / limited colors
- You want repeat consistency for future runs
Choose DTG if…
- You need 1–20 pieces
- Your art is full-color or photo-based
- You want a fast sample/test run
Choose embroidery if…
- You want a premium, stitched look
- You’re doing hats, polos, jackets, uniforms
- You care about professional branding
Best next step
Submit your specs once. We’ll route you to Sacramento providers that match your method + timeline.
FAQ
What is the cheapest method for bulk orders?
Screen printing is usually the lowest cost per item once you reach higher quantities (often 50+).
What is best for small orders?
DTG is often best for small runs and full-color designs because setup is minimal.
Is embroidery more expensive than screen printing?
Often yes per item, especially for complex logos, but embroidery looks premium and is ideal for hats and corporate wear.