The formula
- Print cost = printed area × (paper cost + ink cost per m²)
- Cost before rejects = print cost + pressing + fabric and sewing
- Cost per good garment = cost before rejects ÷ (1 − reject %)
Example with the defaults: 1.4 m² × (0.45 + 0.90) = 1.89 print cost. Adding 0.40 pressing and 3.20 garment gives 5.49, or 5.66 after a 3% reject rate.
Estimating printed area
For an all-over adult jersey, front, back and sleeves together are typically a little over one square metre of printed fabric. Shorts add roughly half as much again. Measure your pattern pieces for an exact figure.
Number of colours does not affect sublimation cost. Area does. See sublimation printing for how the process works.
Common questions
Why include a reject rate?
Some pieces are lost to print faults, ghosting or colour shifts. Dividing by the good share spreads their cost over the garments you can sell.
Are the default prices accurate?
No. They are placeholders to show the method. Enter your own supplier prices.