Calculating Printing Costs: Colours, Area and Quantity
How a printing price is built: set-up costs, number of colours, print area and quantity. Approximate figures and two calculation examples.
The price of printing a logo always consists of three parts: a one-off set-up cost (screens, embroidery program, cutting path), the printing cost per piece, and the price of the product itself. Set-up is usually 15–25 EUR per colour or per logo file, while printing per piece ranges from 0.10 EUR (pad printing on a pen) to 6 EUR (full-colour DTF transfer on a T-shirt). This means that in an order of 20 pieces, set-up can make up half the total, while in an order of 500 pieces it's less than 5%. All prices here are approximate and exclude VAT.
Three components that make up the price
1. Set-up (one-off). In screen printing, a separate screen is made for each colour; for embroidery, the logo has to be converted into a stitch program; for contour-cut stickers, a cutting path needs to be prepared. This amount stays the same whether you order 10 or 1,000 pieces.
2. Printing per piece. Depends on the technology, number of colours, area, and how many print locations there are (front, back, sleeve).
3. The product. A T-shirt, mug, bottle, notebook or bag from our catalogue. This part is the simplest — it's a fixed line in the price list with discounts for larger quantities.
Why each colour is charged separately
In screen printing and pad printing, each colour is a separate technological step: its own screen or cliché, its own colour mixing, its own set-up. A two-colour logo means two screens and two print passes, so the price per piece increases by roughly 1.5–1.8 times, not double.
In digital technologies — DTF, sublimation, UV printing — the number of colours doesn't affect the price. A full-colour photograph costs the same as a single black logo. That's why we usually recommend DTF for colourful designs and small quantities, and screen printing for single-colour logos in large runs. More on apparel printing technologies: apparel printing.
How area affects the price
Area has a direct effect on price in digital technologies, since you pay for the material and ink used. Practical reference points for DTF printing on apparel:
| Print size | Approximate price per piece (DTF) |
|---|---|
| Up to A6 (logo on chest) | from 4.00 EUR |
| A5 | from 4.50 EUR |
| A4 | from 5.00 EUR |
| A3 (full back) | from 6.00 EUR |
In screen printing, area affects the price in steps — up to A4 the price usually stays the same, but above A3 a larger frame and more ink are needed. For embroidery, size translates into stitch count: a 5,000-stitch logo (approximately 6×4 cm) costs roughly 4.00–5.00 EUR per piece at a quantity of 50.
Technology comparison
| Technology | Set-up (one-off) | Printing per piece | Suitable quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen printing on fabric | 15–25 EUR per colour | 1.50–3.50 EUR (1 colour) | from 50 |
| DTF transfer on apparel | none | 4.00–6.00 EUR (full colour) | 1–150 |
| Embroidery | 15–25 EUR (program) | 4.00–6.00 EUR | from 20 |
| Pad printing (pens, keyrings) | 15–20 EUR per colour | 0.10–0.35 EUR | from 100 |
| Sublimation (mugs, thermal mugs) | none | 1.50–3.00 EUR | 1–100 |
| UV printing (bottles, thermal bottles, notebooks) | 0–20 EUR | 0.80–2.50 EUR | from 25 |
| Stickers with contour cutting | 5–15 EUR | depends on area | from 50 |
Figures are approximate; the exact price depends on quantity, material and number of print locations.
Two calculation examples
Tote bags with a single-colour logo
100 cotton bags, screen printing, 1 colour, A4 area:
- screen: 20 EUR
- printing: 100 × 2.00 EUR = 200 EUR
- total printing cost: approximately 220 EUR, or 2.20 EUR per piece
The same job for 500 pieces: 20 EUR + 500 × 1.60 EUR = 820 EUR, or approximately 1.64 EUR per piece. The printing cost per piece drops significantly, even though it's the same technology. Browse our range of bags: tote bags and bags.
T-shirts with a colourful design
30 T-shirts, DTF, A4 on the front:
- set-up: 0 EUR
- printing: 30 × 5.00 EUR = 150 EUR
If you add a small logo on the back (A6) to the same order, that's an additional 30 × 4.00 EUR = 120 EUR. Each new print location is a separate line item, as it requires a separate press cycle.
What raises the price and what lowers it
Raises the price:
- multiple print locations on a single product;
- exact Pantone colour matching in screen printing (requires mixing a custom colour);
- dark fabrics under light-coloured prints (a white base layer is needed);
- irregular shapes and small areas that require the product to be fixed in a special holder;
- tight deadlines — the standard turnaround for promotional products with printing is 5–10 business days after artwork approval (2–5 business days for stickers, banners and posters); for faster turnaround, we can arrange this separately;
- poorly prepared files that need to be redrawn.
Lowers the price:
- a larger quantity in one order rather than several small batches;
- a single-colour logo version for screen printing;
- a repeat order with the same design — the screens and embroidery program are already prepared, so set-up is usually not charged again the second time;
- one design used across several products.
File requirements that affect the quote
The cheapest route is vector graphics: .ai, .eps or .pdf with CMYK colours and text converted to outlines. In this case, set-up is included in the quote. If all you have is a JPG from a presentation or a logo from a website, we'll redraw it — usually 15–40 EUR depending on complexity. You can browse the range of promotional products and printing options in the promotional products with logo section.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an order of 10 pieces cost almost as much as 50?
Because set-up costs — the screen, set-up itself, colour mixing — are the same in both cases. A 20 EUR screen spread over 10 pieces is 2 EUR per piece, over 50 pieces it's 0.40 EUR. That's why for small quantities we usually suggest digital technologies that don't require a screen.
Does two colours mean the printing is twice as expensive?
In screen printing, yes in terms of screens (two instead of one), but the price per piece increases by roughly 1.5–1.8 times. In DTF, sublimation and UV printing, the number of colours doesn't affect the price at all.
How much does it cost to check what the print will look like?
We prepare a visualisation on a product photo free of charge together with the quote. A physical sample with actual printing is a paid service — usually the product price plus the set-up fee, and this is deducted from the total once the order is confirmed.
Do you work with single pieces?
Yes. A single mug, T-shirt or roll-up banner stand is a normal order, though the price per piece will be higher than for a bulk run. For single pieces we use technologies that don't require screens — sublimation, DTF or UV printing.
How long does it take to get a quote?
For standard requests, we prepare a quote within one business day. More complex projects with multiple products and print locations may take two days.
Send us the product name, quantity and logo file to info@attaprint.lv or WhatsApp +371 25776699 — we'll prepare a quote with several quantity options within one business day. If you haven't yet decided on a technology, give us a call and we'll discuss what works best for your design and budget.
FAQ
Why does an order of 10 pieces cost almost as much as 50?
Because set-up costs — the screen, set-up itself, colour mixing — are the same in both cases. A 20 EUR screen spread over 10 pieces is 2 EUR per piece, over 50 pieces it's 0.40 EUR. That's why for small quantities we usually suggest digital technologies that don't require a screen.
Does two colours mean the printing is twice as expensive?
In screen printing, yes in terms of screens (two instead of one), but the price per piece increases by roughly 1.5–1.8 times. In DTF, sublimation and UV printing, the number of colours doesn't affect the price at all.
How much does it cost to check what the print will look like?
We prepare a visualisation on a product photo free of charge together with the quote. A physical sample with actual printing is a paid service — usually the product price plus the set-up fee, and this is deducted from the total once the order is confirmed.
Do you work with single pieces?
Yes. A single mug, T-shirt or roll-up banner stand is a normal order, though the price per piece will be higher than for a bulk run. For single pieces we use technologies that don't require screens — sublimation, DTF or UV printing.
How long does it take to get a quote?
For standard requests, we prepare a quote within one business day. More complex projects with multiple products and print locations may take two days.
