The cheapest verified print on demand base price for a Gildan 64000 in 2026 is $7.31 on MyDesigns Pro Plus through 240 Express - $2.32 less per shirt than Printful's public price of $9.63. The Gildan 5000 starts at $6.75. Comfort Colors 1717 runs $10.95 on the free plan. The Gildan 18500 hoodie is $15.75 free or $14.49 on Pro Plus. All prices reflect the 240 Express catalog accessed through MyDesigns, checked Oct 26, 2026.
What Is a T-Shirt Base Price in Print on Demand?
Every dollar you save on the base price flows directly to margin. If a shirt costs $7.95 to produce and you sell it for $24.99, your gross before fees is $17.04. Swap the provider for one that charges $9.63 and that gross drops to $15.36. Over 500 orders a year that is $840 in extra costs - from one SKU choice.
Base price is not the whole picture. Shipping, Etsy or marketplace fees, plan subscription costs and your own time all factor in. But base price is where comparison starts, and it is where the math either works or it does not.
How We Built This Price Study
We pulled base prices from three sources:
- 240 Express via MyDesigns - Prices verified Oct 26, 2026 per MyDesigns' fulfillment catalog. 240 Express is MyDesigns' contracted partner for apparel fulfillment.
- Other providers in the MyDesigns catalog - Gooten, SwiftPOD and MyDesigns DTG prices reflect the MyDesigns Free plan catalog, checked Oct 26, 2026 per MyDesigns.
- Printful public product page - The Gildan 64000 price of $9.63 was extracted from printful.com product page JSON-LD, checked Oct 26, 2026. Printful's individual product pages use JavaScript rendering that blocked direct text extraction today, so we verified the Gildan 64000 from the prior day's confirmed JSON-LD. We could not independently verify Printful's current public prices for the other three SKUs today and have omitted those figures.
Printify catalog prices were not included because Printify's catalog returned a JS-only page that blocked verification today. Per our policy, unverified prices are not quoted.
Etsy fee figures (6.5% transaction, 3% + $0.25 processing, $0.20 listing) come from the Merch Titans Etsy Fees Guide, which documents the fee schedule published by Etsy. Etsy's own help pages returned a 403 error blocking direct verification on Oct 28, 2026.
Disclosure: Curtis Blackmore, who writes for Merch Titans, also founded MyDesigns. MyDesigns ranks first in the tables below because of verifiable base prices, not because of the ownership connection. Drawbacks are listed in the MyDesigns limits section.
Gildan 5000 Heavyweight Unisex T-Shirt: Base Prices
The Gildan 5000 is the workhorse SKU of the POD apparel world. At 5.3 oz with a classic fit, it sells across almost every niche at price points from $17.99 to $24.99.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Free plan | $6.75 | Lowest verified price; 240 Express via MyDesigns |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Starter (2% off) | $6.62 | 2% catalog discount on Starter plan |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro (5% off) | $6.41 | 5% catalog discount on Pro plan |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro Plus (10% off) | $6.21 | 10% catalog discount on Pro Plus |
| MyDesigns DTG - Free plan | $8.32 | MyDesigns DTG provider in catalog |
| Gooten - Free plan | $8.30 | Gooten via MyDesigns catalog |
| SwiftPOD - Free plan | $8.54 | SwiftPOD via MyDesigns catalog |
| Prices checked: Oct 26, 2026. Source: mydesigns.io catalog (240 Express, Gooten, SwiftPOD, MyDesigns DTG). | ||
At the same list price, 240 Express's Gildan 5000 on the free plan is $1.55 cheaper than Gooten and $1.79 cheaper than SwiftPOD. On Pro Plus, the gap widens to $2.09 versus Gooten and $2.33 versus SwiftPOD.
Gildan 64000 SoftStyle T-Shirt: Base Prices
The Gildan 64000 is the best-selling POD tee for many Etsy shops. Its softer ring-spun cotton and fashion fit command higher retail prices while keeping the base cost manageable.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Free plan | $7.95 | Lowest free-plan price in this comparison |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Starter (2% off) | $7.79 | 2% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro (5% off) | $7.55 | 5% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro Plus (10% off) | $7.31 | 10% catalog discount; lowest verified price |
| Printful - public price | $9.63 | printful.com product page JSON-LD, Oct 26, 2026 |
| Prices checked: Oct 26, 2026. Source: mydesigns.io catalog (240 Express) and printful.com product page JSON-LD. | ||
On the Gildan 64000, 240 Express at the free plan is $1.68 per shirt cheaper than Printful's public price. On Pro Plus it is $2.32 cheaper - a 24% cost reduction. At 100 orders per month that is $232 in monthly savings on a single SKU, before plan cost.
Printful's Growth plan (currently $24.99/month) offers up to 33% off product pricing for members, which could reduce their catalog price significantly. However, the in-catalog discounted price requires a Printful account and was not independently verified at time of writing. Use the $9.63 public price as your baseline for unplanned or new-account comparisons.
Comfort Colors 1717 Pigment-Dyed Tee: Base Prices
Comfort Colors 1717 sells at premium price points - typically $27.99 to $34.99 - because buyers recognize the brand and the washed, lived-in feel. Its higher base cost is offset by the higher retail ceiling.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Free plan | $10.95 | 240 Express via MyDesigns catalog |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Starter (2% off) | $10.73 | 2% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro (5% off) | $10.40 | 5% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro Plus (10% off) | $10.07 | 10% catalog discount on Pro Plus |
| SwiftPOD - Free plan | $14.50 | SwiftPOD via MyDesigns catalog |
| Prices checked: Oct 26, 2026. Source: mydesigns.io catalog (240 Express, SwiftPOD). | ||
The spread on the CC 1717 is larger: 240 Express at $10.95 versus SwiftPOD at $14.50 is a $3.55 per-shirt difference. On Pro Plus, the gap between 240 Express ($10.07) and SwiftPOD ($14.50) is $4.43 per shirt. At $30 retail, that means the difference between a $15 gross and an $11 gross - before fees.
Gildan 18500 Heavy Blend Hoodie: Base Prices
The Gildan 18500 is the standard POD fleece hoodie. At 8 oz with a kangaroo pocket, it sells in the $39.99 to $49.99 range on Etsy, making the base cost even more consequential than on t-shirts.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Free plan | $15.75 | 240 Express via MyDesigns catalog |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Starter (2% off) | $15.44 | 2% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro (5% off) | $14.96 | 5% catalog discount |
| 240 Express - MyDesigns Pro Plus (10% off) | $14.49 | 10% catalog discount; lowest verified hoodie price |
| Gooten - Free plan | $17.80 | Gooten via MyDesigns catalog |
| SwiftPOD - Free plan | $18.72 | SwiftPOD via MyDesigns catalog |
| Prices checked: Oct 26, 2026. Source: mydesigns.io catalog (240 Express, Gooten, SwiftPOD). | ||
On the Gildan 18500, 240 Express at $15.75 (free plan) is $2.05 cheaper than Gooten and $2.97 cheaper than SwiftPOD. On Pro Plus at $14.49, the gap is $3.31 versus Gooten and $4.23 versus SwiftPOD. On a hoodie that sells for $44.99, every dollar here matters more because the absolute margin per unit is smaller.
How Plan Discounts Change Your Cost Per Shirt
The MyDesigns catalog discount applies to all 240 Express products and any other catalog-eligible providers. Here is what the discount structure looks like in dollar terms for each SKU at the free plan base price.
| SKU | Free plan | Starter (2%) | Pro (5%) | Pro Plus (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 | $6.75 | $6.62 | $6.41 | $6.21 |
| Gildan 64000 | $7.95 | $7.79 | $7.55 | $7.31 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | $10.95 | $10.73 | $10.40 | $10.07 |
| Gildan 18500 | $15.75 | $15.44 | $14.96 | $14.49 |
Prices per MyDesigns catalog, checked Oct 26, 2026. Plan prices: Starter $19.99/mo billed yearly, Pro $39.99/mo, Pro Plus $79.99/mo.
The break-even on upgrading from free to Starter is about 10 shirts per month on the Gildan 64000 alone (saving $0.16 per shirt, plan costs $19.99/mo). On Pro Plus, you need about 122 Gildan 64000 shirts per month at the free plan price difference ($0.64/shirt × N = $79.99) to cover the plan cost through discounts alone. In practice, the batch-size increase (24 on Starter, 48 on Pro, 120 on Pro Plus) typically provides more value than the discount at lower volumes.
Profit at Price Points: Gildan 64000 on Etsy
This table models your per-shirt net profit on a Gildan 64000 at three common Etsy retail prices, using 240 Express (free and Pro Plus) versus Printful's public price. Etsy fees used: $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing. Shipping is excluded because it varies and is typically charged to the buyer separately. Offsite Ads (12 to 15%) excluded - apply separately if your shop is enrolled.
| Selling price | Provider + plan | Base cost | Etsy fees | Net profit | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.99 | 240 Express Free | $7.95 | $2.35 | $9.69 | 48.5% |
| $19.99 | 240 Express Pro Plus | $7.31 | $2.35 | $10.33 | 51.7% |
| $19.99 | Printful public | $9.63 | $2.35 | $8.01 | 40.1% |
| $24.99 | 240 Express Free | $7.95 | $2.82 | $14.22 | 56.9% |
| $24.99 | 240 Express Pro Plus | $7.31 | $2.82 | $14.86 | 59.5% |
| $24.99 | Printful public | $9.63 | $2.82 | $12.54 | 50.2% |
| $29.99 | 240 Express Free | $7.95 | $3.30 | $18.74 | 62.5% |
| $29.99 | 240 Express Pro Plus | $7.31 | $3.30 | $19.38 | 64.6% |
| $29.99 | Printful public | $9.63 | $3.30 | $17.06 | 56.9% |
Etsy fees: $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing. Source: Etsy Fees Guide. Printful public price $9.63 checked Oct 26, 2026 per printful.com JSON-LD. Shipping excluded. Not financial advice - verify all costs before pricing.
The $2.32 per-shirt saving (240 Express Pro Plus versus Printful at $24.99) is not dramatic on any single order. At 300 Gildan 64000 orders per month it is $696 in recovered margin. For context on what the full fee stack looks like, see our print on demand profit margins guide.
Who Each Option Fits
240 Express through MyDesigns is best for sellers who want competitive pricing on the four most popular POD apparel SKUs combined with an automated publishing workflow. You publish to Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, TikTok Shop or the MyDesigns Store in batches, and 240 Express fulfills with 2 to 3 day production. If you are already using MyDesigns for design generation or listing automation, adding 240 Express costs nothing extra at the free plan level.
Gooten through MyDesigns is a reasonable alternative for the Gildan 5000 and 18500 if you want a second fulfillment option or if 240 Express is out of stock on a color. The price premium ($1.55 to $2.05 more per shirt at free plan) is a real cost, but having a backup supplier is a real operational benefit.
SwiftPOD through MyDesigns has the widest price premium in this comparison on every verified SKU. At $8.54 for the Gildan 5000 and $18.72 for the 18500, the gap versus 240 Express does not close on any plan. SwiftPOD may have other advantages such as specialty products or regional production that are not captured in this price study.
Printful is best for sellers who need premium branded packaging, in-house embroidery, or the widest selection of non-apparel products. At $9.63 for the Gildan 64000, their price does not compete with 240 Express on this SKU. Their Growth plan discount could change the equation for high-volume sellers - verify in-account. See our Printful review 2026 for a full assessment.
For a broader platform comparison that goes beyond base price, see our best print on demand companies 2026 guide.
MyDesigns as Your Fulfillment Hub for These SKUs
MyDesigns gives you access to 240 Express, Gooten, SwiftPOD and other providers inside one platform. You connect one Etsy shop, create and mockup designs, write AI-generated listings with Vision AI, and publish in batches. Orders from all connected channels route to the right fulfillment provider automatically.
The pricing advantage on the Gildan 64000 - $7.95 free or $7.31 on Pro Plus versus Printful's public $9.63 - is built into the platform without a negotiation or a bulk order minimum. Every order at every volume gets that price. See the MyDesigns pricing page for current plan costs and which catalog discounts apply per tier.
For Etsy sellers specifically, the bulk publish feature removes the listing bottleneck that often costs more time than the base price difference saves money. Our best print on demand for Etsy guide covers the full publishing workflow comparison.
MyDesigns Limits
The free plan caps at 4 products per batch and includes no AI credits. Dream AI, Scout AI and Vision AI all require a paid plan. Scout AI research is on Pro and Pro Plus only. The MyDesigns Store charges a transaction fee of 6% (Free), 4.5% (Starter or Pro) or 3% (Pro Plus) per sale, plus 3% + $0.25 payment processing. The apparel catalog is smaller than Printify's 70+ provider network. If you need a provider not currently in the 240 Express or MyDesigns catalog, you will need to connect a Printify or Printful account separately.
Sellers new to all-in-one POD platforms typically spend 1 to 2 hours learning the MyDesigns workflow before their first batch publish. The payoff is measurable once the workflow is set.
How to Use These Prices
Base price shapes margin, but it is not the only variable. Before you set your prices, run the full stack calculation:
- Base cost - use the verified number for your provider and plan from the tables above.
- Etsy fees - $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing. Use our Etsy fees guide for a full breakdown and calculator.
- Shipping - charge separately or fold it into the price. Shipping costs vary by weight and destination.
- Plan cost - if you pay $19.99/mo for Starter, allocate that across your monthly order volume.
- Target margin - most POD sellers target 40 to 60% gross margin before marketing spend on Etsy.
A complete pricing strategy guide is in our how to price print on demand products guide, which covers the formula in full with examples across price points and niches.
The data in this post will be updated as providers change their rates. Bookmark this page and check the "Prices checked" date on each table before using any number in a live pricing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest print on demand base price for a Gildan t-shirt?
The cheapest verified base price for a Gildan 64000 via POD in 2026 is $7.31 through 240 Express on the MyDesigns Pro Plus plan (10% catalog discount applied). On the free plan, 240 Express charges $7.95. Gooten charges $8.30 and SwiftPOD charges $8.54 for the Gildan 5000 within the MyDesigns catalog. Prices checked Oct 26, 2026 per MyDesigns.
How much does Printful charge for a Gildan 64000 t-shirt?
Printful's public price for a Gildan 64000 Softstyle T-Shirt is $9.63, verified Oct 26, 2026 from printful.com's product page JSON-LD. On Printful's Growth plan at $24.99/month, members receive up to 33% off product pricing, though the specific discounted price for the Gildan 64000 requires checking the in-account catalog. The public price of $9.63 is the baseline for comparison.
What is the difference between base price and shipping in print on demand?
The base price is what the POD provider charges you for printing and fulfilling one item. Shipping is charged separately per order, based on destination and carrier rates. Your profit is the selling price minus the base price, minus shipping, minus any marketplace or processing fees. Base price is where the leverage is - a $1.68 difference per shirt adds up to $168 saved per 100 orders.
How does MyDesigns' plan discount work on base prices?
MyDesigns applies a catalog discount to products in its catalog based on your plan: 2% on Starter, 5% on Pro, and 10% on Pro Plus. On the Gildan 64000 240 Express base price of $7.95, a 10% Pro Plus discount brings the cost to $7.31 per shirt. The discount applies at checkout for every order on qualifying catalog SKUs.
What is Comfort Colors 1717 base price in print on demand?
The verified base price for a Comfort Colors 1717 Pigment-Dyed Tee through 240 Express is $10.95 on the MyDesigns Free plan and $10.07 on Pro Plus. SwiftPOD lists the CC 1717 at $14.50 within the MyDesigns catalog. Prices checked Oct 26, 2026 per MyDesigns. Comfort Colors 1717 commands higher retail prices, typically $27.99 to $34.99, making the margin competitive despite the higher base cost.
Is print on demand worth it for Gildan hoodies?
Yes, print on demand for Gildan 18500 hoodies is worth it when you choose a provider with a competitive base price. The 240 Express base price for a Gildan 18500 is $15.75 on the free plan and $14.49 on Pro Plus. Compare that to Gooten at $17.80 and SwiftPOD at $18.72 within the MyDesigns catalog. At $44.99 retail, the margin is solid. Prices checked Oct 26, 2026 per MyDesigns.
What Etsy fees do I subtract from my POD profit?
On Etsy you pay a $0.20 listing fee per product, a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price, and a 3% plus $0.25 payment processing fee. On a $24.99 tee, those fees total about $2.82. Offsite Ads add 12 to 15% on sales attributed to Etsy's external advertising and are mandatory for shops earning over $10,000 per year. See our Etsy fees guide for a full breakdown.