Screen Printing Minimum: Do You Need to Order in Bulk?
Many screen printers require a minimum order of several dozen pieces before they’ll even quote a job, which can be frustrating if you just need a handful of shirts. Here’s what you should know about screen printing minimums — and how to order screen printing without being forced into a bulk purchase.
Why Do Most Screen Printers Have Minimums?
Screen printing requires burning a physical screen for every color in your design before a single shirt gets printed. That setup work takes time regardless of whether you’re printing 5 shirts or 500, so most print shops spread that cost across a minimum quantity to make the job worth running.
Typical Reasons for Minimum Order Requirements
- ● Screen setup and burning costs per color
- ● Press setup and calibration time
- ● Ink mixing for custom colors
- ● Labor time that doesn’t scale down for small runs
DecorateONE Has No Minimums
At DecorateONE, you can order screen printing without hitting a minimum quantity requirement. Whether you need a single shirt for a sample, a small batch for a team, or a large run for an event, you can place the exact order you need — no padding your cart with extra pieces just to qualify for printing.
Why This Matters for Small Businesses and Individuals
Not every project needs 50 shirts. Small businesses testing a new design, families ordering for a reunion, coaches outfitting a small roster, or anyone who just wants one great custom shirt shouldn’t have to overspend or over-order to get it. A no-minimum policy means your order size is based on what you actually need, not what a print shop requires to run the job.
Who Benefits from No Screen Printing Minimums?
- ● Small businesses ordering sample garments
- ● Individuals who need just one or two shirts
- ● Startups testing new logo designs
- ● Families and small groups planning events
- ● Anyone who wants to scale an order up over time
Does Ordering More Still Save You Money?
Yes. Even without a required minimum, screen printing still benefits from economies of scale — the per-item decorating cost naturally goes down as your quantity goes up, since setup costs get spread across more pieces. The difference is that you’re never forced to buy more than you actually need just to place an order.
How to Order Screen Printing With No Minimum
Ordering is straightforward: choose your garment, upload your artwork, select the quantity you need — even if that’s just one — and check out. There’s no extra approval step or special request required to order below a “standard” minimum.
Quick Takeaway
Many screen printers require a bulk order before they’ll take your job, but that’s not a rule you have to accept. With no minimum order requirement, you can order exactly the quantity you need — whether that’s one shirt or one hundred.
