Explaining tariffs to your print shop clients isn’t exactly fun, but it’s necessary. Prices are changing, and your customers are noticing. If you stay quiet, they’ll assume the worst. If you explain it well, they’ll respect your hustle and keep placing orders.
Here’s the deal: global tariffs are pushing up the cost of blank apparel, and it’s hitting screen printers, DTF shops, embroidery pros, and branded merch businesses across the board. You’re not price-gouging. You’re adapting.
So, how do you talk about it without sounding like a textbook or losing the sale? That’s what this guide is for. Let’s break it down in a way your clients will actually understand.
1. Be Transparent About Tariffs
The fastest way to lose trust is by dodging real talk. So explain tariffs straight up. Let your clients know this isn’t about you raising prices to make an extra buck. It’s about global import fees that affect the cost of blank t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. When you’re upfront, people get it. They’d rather hear the truth than feel blindsided later.
2. Avoid Jargon And Keep It Simple
You don’t need to be a trade lawyer to explain tariffs. Just tell your clients, “The government charges a fee on certain imported goods, and that fee bumps up the cost of blank apparel.” That’s it. Keep it clear, keep it human, and skip the buzzwords that make people’s eyes glaze over.
3. Share Supplier Tariffs Updates For Credibility
If SanMar or S&S Activewear sends out a tariff notice, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it. Forward the email. Screenshot the quote. When you explain tariffs and back it up with info from the big names, your clients see that you’re not just making this stuff up—you’re being transparent and professional.
4. Explain Timing And Inventory Costs
Here’s something most customers don’t realize: pricing shifts don’t always show up right away. When you explain price shifts, let them know that current prices might still reflect last month’s inventory, but the next batch could cost more depending on when it landed and what tariffs hit it.
5. Recommend Budget-Friendly Alternatives
Not every client needs name-brand blanks. When you explain tariffs, suggest options that dodge the heavy import fees like domestic-made shirts or in-stock alternatives from local suppliers. Clients appreciate that you’re helping them stretch their budget without sacrificing quality.
6. Show The Math When Necessary
Sometimes people need to see it in black and white. When you explain tariffs, break down the cost difference: “This tee used to cost $4, now it’s $5 because of a 25 percent import charge.” It takes 10 seconds to explain but can save a lot of confusion and pushback.
7. Emphasize The Value You Still Provide
Even if prices go up, your service didn’t go down. When you explain tariffs, remind clients they’re still getting pro-level design, fast turnaround, reliable quality, and someone who actually picks up the phone when they call. That kind of value makes you worth every penny.
8. Add Tariff Pricing Notes To Your Website And Quotes
Don’t leave clients guessing. Add a quick line on your quote forms or pricing page that says prices reflect current supplier costs, including any applicable tariffs. It’s a simple way to explain tariffs without having to repeat yourself in every email or phone call.
9. Stay Updated On Tariffs So You Can Educate
The print world moves fast. When you explain tariffs, it helps to actually know what’s happening. Stay subscribed to your suppliers, keep tabs on trade news, and be the one who can answer questions instead of saying “I’ll get back to you.”
10. Act Like a Partner, Not Just A Printer
The best way to explain tariffs is by showing your clients you’re in their corner. Offer ideas. Share tips to save money. Help them plan ahead. If they feel like you’re part of their team, a few extra cents on a shirt won’t make them walk—they’ll trust you even more.
Explain Tariffs With Confidence And Keep Clients Coming Back
The more clearly you explain tariffs, the more trust you build. It’s not about being perfect with pricing. It’s about being real. Clients respect honesty, especially when costs go up and you’re still showing up with solutions. Tools like DecoNetwork make it easier to keep pricing accurate, update catalogs fast, and include notes that explain tariff changes right on the quote. Don’t dodge the conversation, own it, simplify it, and use it to build stronger client relationships.
