Free Tool
Garment Cost Calculator
The cost to manufacture a garment is the sum of five components — fabric, cut-and-sew labor, trims, decoration, and packaging — plus your factory's margin. For a basic 100-piece cotton t-shirt order with a single-color print, expect a landed per-unit cost that drops as quantity increases. Estimate your specific order below, or read the full formula breakdown beneath it.
Estimated Cost
$4.01–$5.13 / unit
$401.40–$512.90 total for 100 pcs
This is a ballpark estimate using typical industry cost drivers — not a formal Texera Industries quote. Real pricing depends on your exact fabric, print files, and specs.
How Garment Costing Works: The Formula
Total per-unit cost = Fabric + Cut & Sew Labor (CMT) + Trims & Labels + Decoration + Packaging. Each component is calculated differently and responds differently to changes in fabric, quantity, and design complexity.
1. Fabric cost
Fabric consumption (kg per garment, driven by the pattern and size run) × price per kilogram for the chosen fabric weight and composition. Heavier GSM increases both variables at once, which is why fabric weight moves cost more than people expect.
2. Cut & sew labor (CMT)
Priced per garment based on the number of sewing operations required. A basic tee has far fewer operations than a hoodie with a zipper, hood, and pocket.
3. Trims & labels
Woven labels, hang tags, drawcords, and zippers — small individually, real in aggregate across a full order.
4. Decoration
Usually a per-unit application cost plus a one-time setup fee (per color, per design) that amortizes across your order quantity — larger orders absorb the setup fee more efficiently.
5. Packaging
A plain poly bag costs a fraction of custom branded packaging — usually the easiest line item to adjust to hit a target price point.
Worked Example: Costing 100 T-Shirts
For a 100-pc order of a basic cotton tee (mid-weight, ~200 GSM) with a single-color screen print and basic poly bag packaging, the five components stack up roughly like this: fabric cost per unit, CMT labor per unit, a few cents in trims, a per-unit decoration cost plus an amortized setup fee, and packaging. Sum those five numbers for your per-unit cost, then multiply by 100 for your order total — before markup to retail. Swap in your own product above to see exact figures.