Pricing sublimation T-shirts correctly is harder than it looks.
The T-Shirt Sublimation Calculator removes guesswork by showing your real cost, profit, and margin before you print.
This guide walks you through exactly how to use it.
What the T-Shirt Sublimation Calculator Does
This calculator helps you:
- Calculate true cost per shirt
- Estimate total cost for a batch
- See projected revenue
- Instantly calculate profit
- View profit margin percentage
Instead of guessing or copying competitor prices, you price using real numbers.
For understanding which shirts give the best results before pricing
What shirts are best for sublimation printing
Before You Start: Gather These Numbers
To get accurate results, have these ready:
- Cost of your blank T-shirt
- Estimated ink and paper cost
- Labor cost per shirt
- Your intended selling price
- Quantity for the order
The more accurate your inputs, the more reliable your results.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the T-Shirt Sublimation Calculator
Enter Your Blank T-Shirt Cost
In the field labeled T-Shirt Blank Cost ($), enter what you paid per shirt.
If you bought in bulk, divide the total cost by the number of shirts.
Example:
$120 for 40 shirts = $3 per shirt.
Choose the Design Size
Select your design coverage:
- Small Logo (Chest)
- Standard Front
- Full Front Coverage
The calculator automatically adjusts ink and paper usage based on the design size.
Larger coverage means higher ink consumption.
Confirm Base Ink + Paper Cost
The calculator will auto-adjust based on design size, but you can manually adjust if needed.
This should reflect:
- Ink usage
- Transfer paper portion
If you print multiple designs per sheet, divide the sheet cost accordingly.
Add Labor Cost Per Shirt
Enter how much your time is worth per shirt.
To calculate this:
- Decide your hourly rate
- Estimate how many shirts you produce per hour
- Divide hourly rate by shirts produced
Example:
$25 per hour ÷ 10 shirts = $2.50 labor per shirt.
Ignoring labor is one of the biggest pricing mistakes.
Enter Quantity
Type in the number of shirts in this order.
This helps you:
- Compare small vs bulk runs
- Test wholesale pricing
- See how volume affects profit
Set Your Desired Profit Margin
Enter your target margin percentage.
Common ranges:
- 40–50% for simple designs
- 50–65% for custom or personalized shirts
The calculator will show whether your selling price meets that goal.
Click Calculate
Once all fields are complete, click Calculate.
The system instantly generates your financial breakdown.
For deeper cost breakdown across different product types
Sublimation cost estimator tool
Understanding Your Results
After calculating, you’ll see:
Total Cost
The full production cost for the entire batch.
Total Revenue
Selling price multiplied by quantity.
Profit
Revenue minus total cost.
Profit Margin (%)
The percentage of revenue that remains after expenses.
If the margin is too low, adjust your selling price and recalculate.
Example Calculation for a Sublimation T-Shirt
Let’s run a sample scenario.
- Blank shirt: $4
- Ink + paper: $1
- Labor: $2
- Quantity: 20
- Selling price: $22
Per-shirt cost = $7
Total cost = $140
Revenue = $440
Profit = $300
Margin ≈ 68%
This tells you the pricing is strong and sustainable.
If you also sell multiple product types like mugs, tumblers, or panels, you can use our broader sublimation pricing calculator to compare margins across different products.
Common Pricing Mistakes This Calculator Prevents
This tool protects you from:
- Skipping labor costs
- Underestimating ink usage
- Forgetting bulk discounts
- Copying competitor pricing blindly
- Selling high-volume orders at low margins
Even a $1 underpricing error multiplied across 100 shirts becomes significant.
When to Recalculate Your Shirt Pricing
Update your numbers when:
- Shirt supplier increases prices
- You switch to higher quality blanks
- You move from chest logos to full front designs
- You offer seasonal discounts
- You start wholesale orders
Small changes affect margin more than most sellers expect.
For learning how to avoid common production mistakes that affect profit
10 common sublimation printing problems solved
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include labor if I work alone?
Yes. Your time has value and must be included to protect profit.
What’s a healthy margin for sublimation T-shirts?
Most small businesses aim for 40–65% depending on complexity.
Does design size really affect profit?
Yes. Larger designs use more ink and paper, increasing cost per shirt.
Can I use this for wholesale pricing?
Yes. Enter your wholesale selling price to test if the margin still works.