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BUDGET VS PREMIUM GARMENTS (CUSTOM T-SHIRTS)

Budget vs Premium T-Shirts: What’s the Difference?

When ordering custom printed t-shirts, garment choice plays a major role in the final price, look, and feel of your shirts.

This guide explains the difference between budget (value) garments and premium garments, so you can choose the best option for your needs and budget.

What Are Budget (Value) T-Shirts?

Budget t-shirts are designed to offer solid quality at a lower base cost, making them ideal for large bulk orders.

Common examples

  • JBS Wear 1HT

  • Gildan Heavy Cotton

  • Similar value-focused cotton tees

Best for

  • Clubs and sporting teams

  • Schools and community groups

  • Large events and promotions

  • Bulk orders where cost efficiency matters

Key characteristics

  • Lower cost per shirt

  • Durable cotton suitable for screen printing

  • Excellent value at 60–200+ quantities

  • Consistent sizing and availability

Budget garments are often chosen when the priority is maximising quantity while keeping costs down.

What Are Premium T-Shirts?

Premium t-shirts focus on fabric quality, fit, and brand appeal. They are popular when presentation and comfort are key.

Common examples

  • AS Colour Staple Tee

  • AS Colour Maple Tee

  • Other fashion-forward brands

Best for

  • Corporate branding

  • Retail merchandise

  • Promotional campaigns with brand focus

  • Situations where fit and feel matter

Key characteristics

  • Higher base cost

  • Softer fabric and modern cuts

  • Strong brand recognition

  • Often preferred for staff-facing or customer-facing use

Premium garments cost more per unit but offer a more refined look and feel.

How Garment Choice Affects Price

Garment cost is a major component of total printing price, especially for bulk screen printing.

Real Example (Same Print Setup)

  • AS Colour (Premium) – approx. $20.66 per shirt (inc GST, 100 shirts)

  • JBS Wear (Budget) – approx. $17.47 per shirt (inc GST, 100 shirts)

This represents a saving of approximately 15.4% per shirt by choosing a budget garment over a premium one — without changing the print method or artwork.

Budget vs Premium: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Budget Garments Premium Garments
Base garment cost Lower Higher
Best for bulk orders ✅ Yes ⚠️ Higher cost
Fit & style Classic, standard fit Modern, fashion-forward
Fabric feel Durable cotton Softer, refined
Brand recognition Low High
Cost per shirt Lower Higher

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Budget Garments if:

  • You’re ordering large quantities

  • Cost per shirt is a priority

  • Shirts are for events, teams, or promotions

  • You want maximum value for bulk screen printing

Choose Premium Garments if:

  • Brand image matters

  • Shirts are customer-facing or retail

  • Comfort and fit are important

  • You’re happy to pay more per shirt

A Common Recommendation

Many customers choose to:

  • Use budget garments for large event or staff orders

  • Use premium garments for managers, retail merch, or smaller runs

This approach balances cost efficiency with presentation quality.

Next Steps

To explore pricing differences in more detail:

  • 👉 View real pricing examples & bulk savings (/pricing/)

  • 👉 Learn about screen printing (/screen-printing/)

  • 👉 Compare printing methods (/printing-methods/)

If you’re unsure which garment suits your order, we can recommend the best option once we know your quantity and intended use.

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