DTF & Shop Cost
Screen Print Quoting Basics (Ink, Screens, Quantity Breaks)
Build screen quotes from setup, colors, ink estimate and quantity — not gut feel.
Screen print quotes fail when ink, screen burn and quantity breaks are ignored. A clean quote starts from colors and size, estimates ink, adds setup, then applies markup — not a copied competitor price.
Quote stack
- Confirm print size, color count and whether an underbase is required.
- Estimate ink with the Screen Print Ink Estimator.
- Add screen/setup fees (and flash if needed).
- Add garment cost if you are selling finished goods.
- Apply markup with the Print Pricing Calculator.
- Check volume targets with the Break-Even Calculator before aggressive quantity breaks.
Quantity breaks without regret
Lower per-piece price as quantity rises, but never below variable cost plus a minimum contribution. If a break only “wins the job” while losing money on every unit, it is not a win.
What to put on the PDF quote
- Colors + underbase called out
- Screen/setup as its own line on first runs
- Garment brand/color assumptions
- Reprint terms if art changes after screens are burned
Related: How to price DTF prints and Break-even explained.
FAQ
Should underbase count as a color?
Yes for ink and usually for screen/setup billing.
Do I charge setup on reorders?
If screens are stored and still good, many shops discount or waive burn fees — say so in writing.
How do I handle rush jobs?
Add a rush line that covers overtime and queue disruption — do not “eat it” silently.
Ink estimate vs reality?
Calibrate oz/in² from real jobs. The calculator is a planning floor, not a lab measurement.
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Published Oct 7, 2026. Updated Oct 7, 2026.