You order the "same" tee twice and the per-unit number is different. Or two products that look nearly identical quote out hundreds of dollars apart. That is almost always because one of these levers moved between the two quotes.
#Quantity
The single biggest lever. Most products are priced in tiers — order more, and the per-unit price drops as you cross each tier. A run of 50 will land at a different unit price than a run of 250 of the exact same item.
If two quotes are close on quantity but on different sides of a price break, the difference can be sharp. Ask your account team where the breaks sit.
#Decoration method
How you decorate the product matters as much as what you order. Embroidery runs differently than screen print, which runs differently than sublimation or engraving. Each method has its own setup, per-piece charge, and complexity profile.
If a quote came back higher than you expected, the decoration method is often the reason. Sometimes a small change — print instead of embroidery on a tee, for example — shifts the total meaningfully.
#Decoration complexity
Within the same method, complexity drives price too:
- Number of colors in a screen print
- Stitch count and size of an embroidered design
- Number of decoration locations on one item (front, back, sleeve)
- Size of the art — bigger imprints cost more to apply
A one-color chest hit and a four-color back-and-front print are not in the same neighborhood, even on the same shirt.
#Customization
Anything bespoke costs more than standard. Custom Pantone color matches, custom sizing, custom cuts or fits, custom packaging, custom kitting — each adds a line. Standard configurations are always the most economical path.
#Lead time and rush
Tight timelines cost more. If we have to push a project ahead of the normal queue to hit your in-hands date, that shows up as a rush fee. Building in normal lead time is usually the cheapest way to get exactly what you want. See Lead times.
#Item availability
When a specific color, size, or product is constrained — limited inventory, a discontinued run, or a seasonal item — pricing can shift. Your account team will flag this before quoting so there are no surprises.
#Product tier
Products live across a wide quality range, from value-priced basics to premium brands. Two tees that look similar can come from very different price tiers. If price matters, ask your account team to show you alternatives at a different tier.
#What does not typically change pricing
Once a quote is locked and the order is placed, your price holds. We do not adjust it after the fact unless you change the spec. If you ask to change something mid-order — quantity, decoration, ship date — we will requote and confirm with you before charging anything.