The short answer: For screen printing, the practical minimum is about 24 pieces because the setup cost (screens, ink, press time) gets spread across the order. Need fewer? DTG and DTF have no real minimum — you can order 1 to 23 shirts and skip the setup fee entirely. So yes, we can absolutely do 12 shirts. You just pick the right method.
Here's the thing nobody tells you when you go searching for custom t-shirts: the "minimum order" everybody quotes isn't a rule someone invented to annoy you. It's just math. And once you understand the math, you'll know exactly how to get 12 shirts (or 6, or 200) without overpaying. Let's break it down like neighbors over a fence — no jargon, no runaround.
Why is there a minimum order for screen printing at all?
Screen printing has upfront setup before a single shirt runs: a screen gets "burned" for each color in your design, the press is loaded, inks are mixed to match, and everything gets aligned. That setup costs the same whether you print 5 shirts or 500. So on a tiny run, that fixed cost lands hard on each shirt. Spread it across 24 pieces and suddenly each shirt is affordable.
That's why most shops — us included — set a practical screen print minimum around 24 pieces. It's not us being difficult; it's the price point where screen printing actually makes sense for your wallet.
What if I only need 12 shirts (or fewer)?
Great news: you've got options, and none of them involve buying shirts you don't need.
- DTG (Direct-to-Garment) prints your design straight onto the shirt like a giant inkjet printer. No screens, no setup fee, no minimum. Perfect for 1–23 shirts, full-color designs, and photo-realistic art.
- DTF (Direct-to-Film) prints your design onto a film and heat-presses it on. Also no minimum, works great on a wider range of fabrics and colors, and holds up beautifully on darks.
- Embroidery is fantastic for small runs of polos, caps, and jackets — no piece minimum, priced by stitch count instead.
So if you need 12 reunion shirts, a dozen staff polos, or even a single birthday tee, we point you to DTG or DTF and you skip the whole minimum-order conversation.
Screen printing vs. DTG vs. DTF: which one fits my order?
| Method | Minimum | Best for | Sweet spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Printing | ~24 pieces | Bold designs, 1–4 colors, bulk orders | Event tees, teams, big runs |
| DTG | No minimum (1+) | Full-color, photo-detail art on cotton | 1–23 shirts, complex designs |
| DTF | No minimum (1+) | Vivid color on darks & blends | Small runs, mixed garment types |
| Embroidery | No piece minimum | Premium, durable logos | Polos, caps, jackets |
Does ordering more shirts make each one cheaper?
For screen printing, yes — significantly. Because that setup cost is fixed, every additional shirt drops your per-piece price. The jump from 24 to 48 shirts often barely changes your total, but it cuts your cost-per-shirt noticeably. If you're hovering near the minimum, it's worth asking whether bumping the quantity up actually saves you money per shirt (it usually does).
For DTG and DTF, pricing is more flat per piece since there's no setup to spread out — so 12 shirts costs about 12× one shirt, no surprises.
How do I get an exact price for my order?
On any apparel product page, you'll find our Add Decoration tool — pick your method (Screen Print, Embroidery, DTG/DTF, Hat, or Puff), choose your size and placement, and it prices your job instantly. No waiting on a quote email, no phone tag. Punch in your quantity and you'll see real numbers right there. If your design is unusual or you want a human gut-check, you can always call us and we'll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom screen printed t-shirts?
The practical minimum for screen printing is about 24 pieces, because the setup cost (screens, ink, press alignment) is fixed and needs to spread across enough shirts to keep the per-piece price reasonable.
Can I order fewer than 24 custom t-shirts?
Yes. For orders under 24, we use DTG or DTF printing, which have no minimum. You can order as few as 1 shirt with no setup fee.
What's the difference between DTG and DTF printing?
DTG prints ink directly into the fabric and works best on cotton with full-color or photo-detail designs. DTF prints onto a film that's heat-pressed on, giving vivid color on a wider range of fabrics including darks and blends.
Is there a minimum for custom embroidery?
No piece minimum for embroidery. It's priced by stitch count rather than quantity, which makes it ideal for small runs of polos, caps, and jackets.
Does ordering more shirts lower the price per shirt?
For screen printing, yes — the fixed setup cost spreads across more shirts, so your per-piece price drops as quantity goes up. For DTG and DTF, per-piece pricing stays relatively flat since there's no setup fee.
Do you ship custom t-shirts nationwide?
Yes. Go Print Plus ships custom apparel across the U.S. from our shop in Carrollton, GA, about 50 minutes west of Atlanta.
Ready to order — whether it's 12 shirts or 1,200? Browse our custom apparel and use the Add Decoration tool for an instant price, or reach out and we'll help you pick the right method. There's a reason Carrollton voted us Times-Georgian Readers' Choice "Best Print Shop" three years running — 2024, 2025, and 2026. We'd love to earn your order too.