Minimum order quantities for custom t-shirts vary widely depending on the printing method, but many online printers now offer no minimum at all, allowing orders of a single shirt. Traditional screen printing shops, on the other hand, often still require minimums between 12 and 50 shirts, since the setup process only becomes cost-effective at scale.
Why Minimums Exist
Minimums are primarily a function of the printing method:
- Screen printing requires creating physical screens for each color in the design — a fixed setup cost regardless of order size. Printers offset this cost by requiring a minimum quantity, since a single-shirt screen print would be prohibitively expensive per unit.
- DTG (direct-to-garment) and DTF (direct-to-film) printing don’t require per-color screen setup, since designs are printed digitally. This makes single-shirt and small-batch orders economically viable, which is why most “no minimum” printers rely on these methods.
Typical Minimums by Method
| Method | Typical Minimum |
|---|---|
| DTG | 1 shirt |
| DTF | 1 shirt |
| Screen printing (online/on-demand) | Often 1, sometimes higher |
| Screen printing (traditional local shop) | 12–50 shirts |
| Embroidery | 1–12, varies by provider |
Why Minimums Matter for Your Decision
If you need just a handful of shirts — for a small team, a personal project, or a test run before a bigger order — a no-minimum DTG or DTF printer is usually the better fit than a traditional screen printer, even if the per-shirt cost is somewhat higher. The math only favors screen printing once your order size grows large enough to offset the setup cost.
When Minimums Work in Your Favor
If you’re ordering in bulk — 50, 100, or more shirts — screen printing’s minimum requirement isn’t really a constraint, since you’re already well above it. In that scenario, screen printing usually delivers a lower per-shirt cost than DTG or DTF at the same volume.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Order Size
- 1–24 shirts: Look for a no-minimum DTG or DTF printer
- 25–49 shirts: Compare both DTG/DTF and screen printing pricing — this range is often a toss-up depending on design complexity
- 50+ shirts: Screen printing typically becomes the more cost-effective choice, assuming a relatively simple color palette
The Bottom Line
There’s no single universal minimum — it depends entirely on which printing method a provider uses. If your order is small, seek out printers explicitly advertising no minimums (almost always DTG or DTF-based). If you’re ordering in bulk, traditional screen printing’s minimums won’t be a practical obstacle, and the cost savings at scale usually make it the better choice.
