How to Price Merch for Profit
Your margin is what is left after the blank and the decoration are paid for. Enter your retail price, your cost per unit, and how many you plan to sell, and this shows your margin and total profit instantly. A healthy merch margin is usually 50% or more, which means a shirt that costs you $12 should sell for around $25. Ordering at volume lowers your cost per unit, so your margin climbs as the run grows. Use our bulk order calculator to see the volume price, then price for the margin you want.
FAQ
Subtract your cost per unit from the retail price to get profit per unit, then divide by the retail price for the margin percentage. This tool does it instantly and multiplies by your quantity for total profit.
Most merch aims for a 50% margin or higher, so a shirt costing you $12 sells for about $25. Events and premium items can go higher; giveaways run lower.
Order at volume to lower your cost per unit, choose decoration that fits your run size, and price with confidence. Small increases in price move margin more than small decreases in cost.
Yes. Screen printing is cheapest at volume, while embroidery and DTG cost more per unit. Match the method to your run size to protect your margin.
Work back from the margin you want. For a 50% margin, price at twice your cost. Enter different retail prices above to see the margin each one gives.
Yes. Tell us your garments, quantities, and decoration and we will give you exact costs so you can price for the margin you want, with no minimums.
Last updated July 1, 2026
