The 2025 print shop tariff hikes are here, and if you’re in DTF printing, screen printing, or embroidery, your costs are about to change. In this Let’s Get Printing deep dive, DecoNetwork‘s Zach Dewhurst is joined by American Print and Supply’s Rob to break down how these import taxes on China, Mexico, and Canada will affect your DTF consumables, blank apparel, and printing equipment—and, most importantly, how to stay ahead.
Whether you’re importing supplies or relying on domestic distributors, these tariff hikes will impact your pricing and supply chain. But don’t sweat it—we’ll cover who’s affected, what’s changing, and the smart moves print shops need to make right now to protect their bottom line. Let’s get into it.
What Are The 2025 Print Shop Tariff Hikes?
Alright, print hustlers—2025 print shop tariff hikes are officially here, and they’re about to shake up the industry. If you’re in DTF printing, screen printing, embroidery, or even selling blank apparel, these tariffs will impact your supply chain, pricing, and overall profitability. But don’t panic—we’re breaking it all down so you know exactly what’s happening and how to stay ahead.
So, what’s changing? Here’s the rundown:
- 10% tariff on Chinese imports – This means higher costs on DTF consumables, ink, powder, transfer film, and printer parts. If your shop relies on China for printing supplies, expect an increase in prices.
- 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico – While this one’s currently on hold, it’s still on the table, which could affect blank apparel, raw materials, and equipment suppliers if it takes effect.
According to Rob, print shops that import directly from China are already paying existing duties on many products, but this new tariff is an extra cost stacked on top. If you’re already paying a 25% duty on a printer part, this tariff could push that up to 35% overnight. That’s a serious price jump that could ripple through the entire supply chain.
What To Expect From The 2025 Print Shop Tariff Hikes
Alright, print hustlers—let’s get real. The 2025 print shop tariff hikes are rolling in, and whether you print DTF transfers, screen print t-shirts, or run embroidery machines, you’re going to feel it. But instead of freaking out, let’s break down what’s happening and, more importantly, how smart print shops can roll with the punches.
Here’s what’s at stake:
DTF Printing: Your Supply Chain Just Got More Expensive
If you’re running a DTF shop, your consumables—ink, powder, transfer film, and printer parts—mostly come from China. With the 10% tariff increase on Chinese imports, those supply costs are going up. That means print shops relying on cheap, gray-market consumables or cut-rate suppliers are in for a rude awakening.
But here’s the thing—this was always coming. Import tariffs have been on the table for months, and the best suppliers planned ahead. Take American Print and Supply, for example. They secured inventory early and negotiated pricing to keep costs down for their customers. If your supplier is suddenly jacking up prices overnight? 🚩 That’s a red flag—they were likely cutting corners and dodging duties before.
Screen Printing & Embroidery: Higher Blank Apparel Costs Are Coming
Maybe you’re not in the DTF game—you run a screen printing or embroidery shop. You might think, “Hey, I’m safe.” Not so fast.
A lot of blank apparel brands source materials from Canada, Mexico, and overseas. With a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (even if it’s delayed for now), expect price hikes on blank tees, hoodies, and hats. Some brands already moved production to Central America years ago to avoid Chinese tariffs, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally in the clear.
What does this mean for screen printers and embroiderers?
- Larger wholesale orders may get pricier—watch for subtle increases.
- If you’re using budget blanks, expect supply shifts or price adjustments.
- Now’s the time to explore domestic alternatives before prices go even higher.
Print-On-Demand Shops: Made In The USA Might Finally Pay Off
Here’s where things get interesting—these tariff hikes might actually work in favor of U.S.-based print-on-demand (POD) businesses. Why? Because higher import costs might make Made-in-USA apparel and cut-and-sew operations more competitive.
Take Rob from American Print and Supply, for example—he’s been pushing domestic cut-and-sew manufacturing, and suddenly, it’s looking more attractive than ever. Consumers are becoming more conscious about where their apparel is made, and U.S.-based production could see a surge in demand.
So if you’re in print-on-demand, custom merch, or cut-and-sew, this could actually be your moment to carve out a niche.
How To Keep Your Print Shop Profitable In 2025
Tariffs might be unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay ahead of the competition. Here’s what smart print shops are doing right now to prepare.
- Lock in Supplier Pricing & Negotiate Deals: If you rely on imported materials, talk to your suppliers NOW. The best suppliers have already planned for this and might offer locked-in pricing or bulk discounts.
- Explore Domestic Alternatives: While China has been the go-to for cheap supplies, there are other sourcing options. Many businesses are moving production to the U.S., Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Central America. Now’s the time to look for local suppliers.
- Price Smart—Don’t Race to the Bottom: If a 3-cent increase on DTF transfers is enough to put your business under, you need to rethink your pricing strategy. Focus on value-based pricing instead of just trying to be the cheapest option. Offer better service, reliability, and consistency, and your customers will stick with you.
- Stock Up (But Be Strategic): Some shops stocked up in late 2024 to beat the tariff hikes. If you have cash flow, consider doing the same—but don’t overbuy items with a shelf life.
- Use an ERP System to Stay on Top of Costs: If you’re still managing inventory on spreadsheets, it’s time to level up. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software can track inventory, forecast pricing changes, and optimize supply chain management, helping you avoid surprises.
Adapt And Thrive Amis Print Shop Tariff Hikes
The 2025 print shop tariff hikes are a challenge, but they don’t have to be a disaster. The print shops that plan ahead, secure reliable suppliers, and adjust their pricing strategies will come out stronger.
If you’ve been running on tight margins or relying on cheap, imported consumables, now is the time to rethink your approach. Work with suppliers who have a plan, explore alternative sourcing options, and stay on top of your costs.
This isn’t the first industry shake-up, and it won’t be the last. Print shops that adapt will continue to grow, while those that ignore the warning signs will struggle. The key to success is staying informed, making smart decisions, and keeping your business flexible.
For more insights like this, check out all the Let’s Get Printing episodes on YouTube.
