What Information Should a Band or Choir Provide When Asking for a Shirt Quote?
You do not need printing terminology or exact model numbers to ask for a quote. You need six practical things: what kind of garment you want, an estimated quantity, where you want printing, roughly how many colors, your deadline, and what the shirts are for. Give us those and we can stop guessing and start recommending.
When a school music program asks, “How much would 100 shirts cost?” the honest answer is that it depends. A custom shirt is not one fixed product. The garment, artwork, print locations, color count, quantity, personalization and deadline all move the price. The good news is that a short list of information is enough to get a real conversation started. For the full picture of what moves a price, see what determines the price of a custom T-shirt.
1. What Kind of Shirt Do You Want?
Start with the feel and purpose, not a brand name. An economical basic cotton tee is priced differently from a softer ringspun shirt or a premium retail-style garment. If you do not know brands or model numbers, describe what matters: budget, softness, durability, hot-weather comfort, or a more premium look.
2. About How Many Pieces Do You Need?
An estimate is fine. You do not need every size yet. We just need to know whether we are talking about roughly 24 shirts, 75 shirts, 150 shirts, or 400 shirts. Quantity matters because screen printing and other decoration methods require setup, and that setup is divided across the order. A complicated design on 24 shirts can cost considerably more per piece than the same design on 150 or 300 shirts. Here is why quantity changes the price per shirt.
3. Where Will the Shirts Be Printed?
Common options include a full front, left chest, full back, left sleeve, right sleeve, and small personalization such as student names or locker tags. Each location is another production step on every garment, so it needs to be included in the quote. If a budget needs to come down, reducing print locations is often the easiest lever.
4. How Many Colors Are in the Artwork?
A one-color front is a different production job than a five-color front with a two-color back. If you do not know the color count, send the artwork, the inspiration, or even a rough sketch. We can review it and recommend a production method. You do not have to become a printing expert first.
5. What Is the Deadline?
Tell us when you actually need the finished shirts in hand. Band camp, show reveal, first performance, choir trip, festival and concert dates all create real deadlines. More lead time usually means more garment choices and fewer rush-related limits. If your event is on the calendar, see how far ahead to order show shirts and concert apparel.
6. What Are the Shirts For?
This helps more than people expect. A required marching-band show shirt has a different job than a fundraiser shirt, parent spirit wear, or a choir trip shirt. If the program has a target selling price or budget, share it. Sometimes a small design or garment change saves a meaningful amount without making the finished shirt look cheap. If cost is the driver, here is the most economical way to build a school music shirt.
You Do Not Need Final Sizes for the First Quote
Most programs will not have every size until orders are collected. For an initial quote, an estimated quantity and a general size range are usually enough. Final pricing can be adjusted once the order is complete if the quantity changes significantly or if extended sizes carry different garment costs.
A Good Quote Should Make Comparison Easier
If you compare printers, make sure each quote is built on the same garment quality, the same print locations, the same color count and the same quantity. A lower number may simply be quoting a cheaper garment or fewer print steps. When the specs do not match, the numbers are not telling you who is cheaper. They are telling you that you are looking at two different shirts.
At 1st Place Printing we work specifically with bands, choirs, orchestras, color guard programs and booster groups. You can send us polished artwork or a rough idea. Our job is to help turn the idea into a shirt that fits your budget and your program.
Planning Shirts for Your Program?
Send us what you know: garment preference, estimated quantity, print locations, artwork or color count if you have it, your deadline, and what the shirts are for. If some of that is still up in the air, that is fine. We can help figure out the rest.
Get a quoteFAQ
Do I need exact shirt sizes before requesting a quote?
No. An estimated quantity is usually enough for the first quote. Final sizes can be supplied later.
Do I need to know the exact shirt brand?
No. Tell us whether you want economical, soft, lightweight, premium, or another priority and we can recommend options.
Can I ask for a quote before the artwork is finished?
Yes. A concept, sketch, previous shirt, or even a written idea can be enough to begin.
Why does the deadline matter?
Garment availability and production scheduling can change which options are practical, especially for event-driven school orders.