Choosing the right custom t-shirt printing company can make or break your order. The wrong shop can miss your deadline or print the wrong colors. The right one, however, delivers great shirts on time and at a fair price. This guide shows you how to compare your options.
Full disclosure: we are a custom t-shirt printing company, and we are proud of our work. Still, we are not the perfect fit for every order, and neither is anyone else. So, here is honest advice from people who print shirts every day.
The Three Types of T-Shirt Printing Shops
1. Print-on-Demand Websites
These sites print one shirt at a time. They are great for gifts and single items. However, they usually cost much more per shirt for large orders, and they offer fewer blank brands.
2. Small Local Shops
Small shops can be a good choice for tiny orders or same-week needs. Many of them do excellent work. That said, quality varies a lot, and large orders can strain a small team.
3. Bulk Apparel Specialists
Bulk specialists focus on larger orders for businesses, schools, and teams. Because they buy blanks and run presses at scale, they can offer lower prices per shirt. In addition, they usually have designers on staff to check your art.
What to Look for in a Custom T-Shirt Printing Company
- Clear pricing: the quote should include printing, setup, and shipping, so there are no surprises.
- Free proofs: you should approve a digital proof before anything prints.
- Brand selection: look for trusted blanks, for example Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and Comfort Colors.
- Realistic turnaround: a good shop tells you the real timeline, including shipping.
- Clear policies: read the minimums, reprint policy, and cancellation terms before you pay.
- Reviews and samples: also, ask to see photos of past work.
Questions to Ask Before You Order
- What is the minimum order for my design?
- How many ink colors does my design need, and how does that change the price?
- Is shipping included, or is it extra?
- When does the production clock start?
- What happens if a shirt is misprinted?
Tips to Get the Best Value
First, order in bulk when you can, because the price per shirt drops as quantity grows. Next, keep your design to one or two ink colors. Then, choose a value blank like the Gildan Softstyle G640. Finally, order early, since rush fees and fast shipping add cost.
Where Bulk Custom Shirts Fits
We are a bulk specialist. Our orders start at 24 pieces per design, and every order includes a free proof and free shipping in the lower 48 states. Production takes about two weeks, and rush options are sometimes available. In addition, our online catalog shows instant prices on more than 1,600 styles.
For a single gift shirt, a print-on-demand site may be a better fit. However, for team shirts, uniforms, events, and merch, a bulk custom t-shirt printing company usually gives you the best value.
Learn more in our guides to bulk t-shirt pricing, custom screen printing, and turnaround time. You can also check any company’s reviews on the Better Business Bureau.
Ready to Order?
Browse our custom apparel catalog for instant pricing, or request a free quote. Every order includes a free proof and free shipping in the lower 48 states.
