Loading...
Loading...
If you have ever looked into ordering custom screen-printed shirts, you have probably run into minimum order quantities. Most screen printing shops require you to order a minimum number of pieces per design — and that number varies from shop to shop. Understanding why these minimums exist and knowing your options when your order falls below them will save you time, money, and frustration.
Screen printing minimums are not arbitrary. They exist because of the real, fixed costs involved in setting up a screen print job. Before a single shirt is printed, your screen printer has already invested significant time and materials.
Here is what happens before your first shirt hits the press:
All of those steps take the same amount of time and materials whether you are printing 12 shirts or 200 shirts. A typical screen setup runs $25 to $45 per screen (per color). A 3-color design means $75 to $135 in screen charges alone before the first good shirt comes off the press. Add art prep time, ink, and the actual press time for setup and registration, and the fixed costs for a single design can easily reach $150 to $250.
When you divide those fixed costs across 200 shirts, they add about $0.75 to $1.25 per shirt. But divide the same costs across 12 shirts, and suddenly you are paying $12 to $20 per shirt just for setup — before the garment cost, ink, and per-piece labor are added in.
That is why minimums exist. They ensure the per-piece cost stays reasonable for both the customer and the print shop.
Minimums vary by shop, but here are the common ranges you will encounter:
Some shops set minimums per color. For example, a shop might allow 12-piece minimums for 1-color designs but require 24 pieces for 4+ color designs. This is because multi-color jobs take significantly longer to set up and register, making the fixed cost per design higher.
What if you need fewer shirts than the minimum? Or you need a full-color, photographic design that would require too many screens? Several alternatives exist that do not carry the same setup constraints as screen printing.
DTG works like an inkjet printer for fabric. There are no screens to burn, no color separations, and no per-color charges. You can print a single shirt in full color at a reasonable per-piece price. DTG is the go-to for orders under 24 pieces.
Pros:
Cons:
DTF is a newer technology where your design is printed onto a special film, coated with adhesive powder, and then heat-pressed onto the garment. Like DTG, there are no screen setup costs, making it economical for small orders.
Pros:
Cons:
For simple designs — names, numbers, single-color logos — vinyl heat transfer is a clean and durable option with no minimums. Individual names and numbers for a team order of 8 jerseys, for example, are perfectly suited for vinyl.
Pros:
Cons:
If screen printing is the right method for your project but your quantity is close to or below the minimum, here are strategies to make it work:
Minimums typically apply to the total number of pieces per design, not per size. An order of 3 Small, 4 Medium, 3 Large, and 2 XL is a 12-piece order. You do not need 12 of each size.
If you are ordering shirts for a small team but also need some for your family or a side project, combine them into one order as long as they use the same design and ink colors. The printer does not care who the shirts are for — they care about the total quantity per press setup.
If you are at 10 pieces and the minimum is 12, order the extra 2. You will use them eventually — replacements, new hires, gifts, or giveaways. The marginal cost of 2 additional shirts is much less than the cost of a separate small-quantity order later.
If your design has 5 colors and the shop's multi-color minimum is 24 pieces, ask if a simplified 1 or 2-color version could work. Fewer colors means lower setup costs, which makes smaller quantities more feasible.
Some shops will combine multiple small orders onto the same press run if they share the same garment color and ink colors. This is called a gang run, and it can reduce per-piece costs for everyone involved. Not all shops offer this, but it is worth asking.
At French Press Custom, we keep our screen printing minimums at 12 pieces for most orders because we know that small businesses, schools, teams, and startups often need quality screen printing without committing to huge quantities. For orders under 12 pieces, we offer DTG and DTF printing with no minimums at all. Our team will recommend the best method for your quantity, design, and budget so you get the best possible result regardless of order size.
Need custom printed apparel? Whether it is 6 shirts or 6,000, get a free quote from French Press Custom or call (562) 758-5110.
Get a free quote in 60 seconds — screen printing, embroidery, DTG & more. No minimums on most methods.
Get a Free QuoteCompare screen printing and DTF printing side by side. Learn the differences in cost, durability, detail, and best use cases to pick the right method for your custom apparel project.
Learn how to select embroidery thread colors that match your brand. Covers Madeira and Isacord thread systems, PMS color matching, contrast tips, and specialty metallic threads.
Get a free quote for your next project — no minimums on most methods.
Get a Free QuoteHow fitness brands and gyms can use custom apparel to build brand identity through member gear, staff uniforms, retail merch, and activewear. Fabric choices, print methods, and tips.