Custom Shirts With No Minimum: How to Order Small Batches
Worried you need to order dozens of shirts to get custom apparel made? You don't. Whether you want a handful for a family reunion, a single one-off gift, or a small team batch, there's a decoration method built for small quantities. As a shop that decorates in-house, here's how small-batch custom shirts actually work and how to keep them cost-effective.
Minimums at a glance
Order as few as one
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Start Your OrderGet a Fast QuoteThe short answer
You do not need a big order. DTF (direct-to-film) has no strict minimum (we recommend 6 or more), so small batches, one-off shirts, and full-color artwork are all welcome. If you want the lowest per-shirt cost on a larger run of one design, screen printing starts at 12 per design, and embroidery starts at 6 per logo. For most small or single orders, DTF is the easiest fit.
Which method fits a small order
The right method depends on how many you need and what your artwork looks like. Here's how the three most common methods compare for a small batch.
| DTF | Screen Printing | Embroidery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | No strict minimum (6+ recommended) | 12 per design | 6 per logo |
| Best for | Small or one-off runs, full-color & photo art | Larger runs of one design | Logos on polos, hats, jackets |
| Colors | Unlimited, no per-color setup | Priced per color; best with few | Stitched thread colors |
| Turnaround | About 2 weeks after proof | About 2 weeks after proof | About 3 weeks after proof |
| One-off friendly? | Yes | Not ideal at this size | At 6+ per logo |
For a small or single shirt, DTF is almost always the answer. There are no screens to make, so there's nothing to spread across a big order — and it handles full-color, photographic, and gradient artwork with ease.
Why screen printing has a 12-per-design minimum
Screen printing pushes ink through a fine mesh screen, with one screen burned per color in your design. Making those screens is a fixed setup step that happens once per order, no matter how many shirts you print. On a run of one or two shirts, that setup has nowhere to spread, so the per-shirt cost is high. Once you reach about a dozen, the setup is shared across enough shirts to make screen printing economical — which is why it starts at 12 per design and keeps getting cheaper per shirt as the quantity climbs. DTF skips screens entirely, so there's no per-color setup to recover and no reason to require a large batch.
How to keep a small order cost-effective
A few simple choices keep small batches affordable without raising your quantity:
- Choose DTF for small runs. With no per-color setup, full-color art costs the same as a one-color design, and there's no large minimum to hit.
- Keep one design across the batch. Printing the same artwork on every shirt is simpler than several different designs in one small order.
- Pick one solid blank. Standardizing on a single, reliable tee like a Bella+Canvas, Jerzees, or Tultex keeps things straightforward across the run.
- Plan ahead for turnaround. DTF and screen printing run about 2 weeks after proof approval, embroidery about 3 weeks; rush options are available when you need it sooner.
- Combine names or numbers in one order. DTF lets you vary names and numbers within a single small batch without extra setup.
Popular blanks you can order as few as one
Standardizing on one reliable blank keeps a small DTF order simple. These are shop favorites — tap one to start your order:
Yes, we genuinely welcome small runs
- In-house since 2009 — a 22,000 sq ft Minnesota facility, with locations in MN, ND & FL, shipping nationwide.
- One shirt or one thousand — a single shirt gets the same in-house quality and proof process as a large team order.
- Free proof before we print — you approve the artwork first, no surprises.
- Net-30 & tax-exempt supported for approved accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have a minimum order for custom shirts?
It depends on the method. DTF (direct-to-film) has no strict minimum — we recommend 6 or more, but small and one-off orders are welcome. Screen printing starts at 12 per design, and embroidery starts at 6 per logo.
What's the best method for a small or single custom shirt?
DTF is usually the best fit for small or single shirts. It uses no screens, so there's no per-color setup and no large minimum, and it handles full-color, photographic, and gradient artwork easily.
Can I order just one custom shirt?
Yes. Because DTF has no strict minimum, you can order a single custom shirt or a small batch. One-off and small runs get the same in-house proof and quality process as larger orders.
Is there a setup structure for small orders?
Screen printing has a one-time screen setup per color, which is why it's most economical at higher quantities. DTF has no per-color screen setup, so small full-color orders stay cost-effective. For approved accounts, Net-30 terms and tax-exempt orders are supported.
Ready to order — even just one?
No minimum on DTF. Upload your art and we'll send a free proof.
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