← All articles · 2026-06-13

How to price fundraiser t-shirts to raise the most money

Your fundraiser profit is dead simple: sell price − shirt cost = money raised per shirt. The two levers are how much you charge and how little the shirt costs you. Here's how to set both — with real 2026 numbers.

Step 1: Know your real shirt cost (including the hidden fees)

The sticker price isn't the real cost. A typical US screen printer charges per color and a setup fee per color. Using one real published 2026 price list as an example, 100 full-color (5-color) shirts run about $12.40/shirt + $175 in screen setup fees = ~$14.15 per shirt all-in. A one-color design is cheaper (~$11.35), but fundraiser designs usually want color.

This is the number that matters — not the advertised per-shirt rate. Always ask: "What are the setup fees, and what's the all-in per-shirt price at my quantity and color count?"

Step 2: Set a sell price your supporters will pay

Most fundraiser shirts sell for $20–25. Supporters know they're donating, so a healthy margin over cost is expected and accepted. The sweet spot is a price that feels like a fair "shirt + donation" — usually $20.

Step 3: Do the math (and see why cost matters)

Say you sell 100 shirts at $20:

• At $14/shirt cost: you raise $6 × 100 = $600
• At $11/shirt cost: you raise $9 × 100 = $900

Same shirts, same sell price, same effort — but a $3 lower cost per shirt means 50% more raised. On a fundraiser, your cost per shirt isn't an expense line; it's the difference between a good day and a great one.

Step 4: Lower your cost without lowering quality

• Avoid per-color pricing. Full-color designs on DTF print at a flat rate — no per-color charges, no setup fees. Here's why that matters.
• Plan ahead. Fundraisers are usually scheduled 6–8 weeks out — enough lead time to use planned-ahead production at ~30% less. Timing guide.
• Order in one batch. Combine pre-orders into a single run for the lowest per-shirt cost.
• Get a free design. Don't pay a designer — many printers (us included) include a free mockup.

Quick reference: what to raise at $20/shirt

• 50 shirts at ~$11 cost → ~$450 raised
• 100 shirts at ~$11 cost → ~$900 raised
• 250 shirts at ~$10 cost → ~$2,500 raised

Running a charity, church or school fundraiser? We quote full-color designs with $0 setup fees, free mockup, delivered duty-paid — built so more of every dollar goes to your cause.