How Long Does Custom T-Shirt Printing Take? A Calgary Guide
You need custom t-shirts. Maybe it’s for a trade show next week, a team event on Friday, or band merch for Saturday’s gig. The question keeping you up at night: “How long will this actually take?”
The answer isn’t as simple as “X days.” Turnaround time for custom t-shirt printing depends on the printing method, order size, design complexity, and—most importantly—who you’re working with.
After 28 years in the printing industry serving Calgary businesses, bands, and resellers, I’ve seen every timeline scenario imaginable. Some projects take 24 hours; others take 3 weeks. The difference? Knowing what affects turnaround time and choosing the right printer.
Let’s break down exactly how long fast t-shirt printing in Calgary takes, what impacts timelines, and how to get your order when you need it.
Average Turnaround Times by Printing Method
DTG (Direct-to-Garment) Printing
Standard Turnaround: 24-48 hours
DTG printing is one of the fastest methods available because:
- No setup required (no screens to create)
- Print-on-demand capability
- Quick curing process
- Ideal for small to medium orders
At DTG Printing Corp: We offer 24-48 hour turnaround on most DTG orders, regardless of size (1 shirt or 100).
DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printing
Standard Turnaround: 24-48 hours
DTF printing is equally fast:
- No screens needed
- Quick transfer application
- Works on multiple fabric types
- Same-day possible for rush orders
At DTG Printing Corp:24-48 hours for standard DTF orders.
Screen Printing
Standard Turnaround: 7-14 days (sometimes longer)
Screen printing takes longer because:
- Setup time (creating screens for each color)
- Minimum order requirements (24-50+ shirts)
- Multiple color passes require drying time between layers
- Larger shops often have backlogs
Best For: Large orders (100+ shirts) where you can plan ahead.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Standard Turnaround: 24-48 hours
Fast for small orders but:
- Labor-intensive (each letter/design cut and applied individually)
- Not ideal for complex designs
- Can crack and peel over time
Best For: Very small orders (1-5 shirts) with simple text/logos.
What Impacts Your Turnaround Time?
1. Design Readiness
Print-Ready Files = Faster Turnaround
Your design is print-ready when:
- ✅ High resolution (300 DPI at print size)
- ✅ Correct file format (vector preferred: AI, EPS, SVG)
- ✅ Colors specified (Pantone or CMYK)
- ✅ Proper sizing and placement indicated
Design Issues That Cause Delays:
- ❌ Low-resolution images (need recreation)
- ❌ Wrong file formats (JPEGs from Google Images)
- ❌ Unclear instructions (“make it look cool”)
- ❌ Multiple revision rounds
Pro Tip: Submit print-ready artwork and you’ll shave 1-3 days off your timeline. Need design help? We offer design consultation to get your files ready fast.
2. Garment Availability
In-Stock Garments = Faster Production
If your chosen shirt style, color, and sizes are in stock with our suppliers (SanMar, S&S Sportswear, Gildan), we can start printing immediately.
Delays Happen When:
- Obscure brands or styles need to be special-ordered
- Unusual sizes (3XL+, youth sizes) aren’t in stock
- Seasonal colors are out of stock
- You need specific premium brands
Pro Tip: Stick with popular brands and standard colors (black, white, navy, grey) for fastest turnaround.
3. Order Size
Small Orders Print Faster (Usually)
With DTG and DTF printing:
- 1-20 shirts: 24-48 hours
- 20-50 shirts: 48-72 hours
- 50-100 shirts: 3-5 days
- 100+ shirts: 5-7 days
Why Size Matters:
- Printing time (20 shirts per hour capacity)
- Quality control (every shirt inspected)
- Curing and finishing time
At DTG Printing Corp: We maintain 24-48 hour turnaround even for orders up to 100 shirts because we prioritize speed without sacrificing quality.
4. Design Complexity
Simple Designs Print Faster
Fast Designs:
- Single-color logos
- Text-only designs
- Small prints (left chest)
Slower Designs:
- Full-color photographic prints
- Large back prints + front prints
- Multiple print locations (front, back, sleeves)
- Special effects (metallic inks, glow-in-the-dark)
Pro Tip: If you’re in a rush, simplify. A clean one-color logo prints faster than a full-color masterpiece.
5. Rush Orders and Peak Seasons
Rush Orders (Same-Day/Next-Day)
Need it faster than 24-48 hours? Rush orders are often possible for an additional fee.
Rush Order Requirements:
- Print-ready artwork
- In-stock garments
- Simple designs
- Small quantities (under 20 shirts)
Peak Seasons in Calgary:
- January-March: Tax season, new year promotions
- May-August: Summer events, festivals, sports teams
- September-October: Back-to-school, fall events
- November-December: Holiday parties, year-end corporate orders
Pro Tip: Order 1-2 weeks ahead during peak seasons to avoid delays.
Realistic Timeline Breakdown: Order to Delivery
Standard Order (24-48 Hour Turnaround)
1 (Order Placement):
- You submit your order with print-ready artwork
- We review files and confirm garment availability
- Production begins same day or next morning
2 (Production):
- Garments printed and cured
- Quality inspection
- Packaging
3 (Delivery/Pickup):
- Local Calgary delivery or pickup
- Shipping (if outside Calgary)
Total Time: 48-72 hours from order to your hands.
Rush Order (Same-Day/Next-Day)
Morning Order (Before 10 AM):
- Order placed with rush request
- Print-ready files, in-stock garments
- Production starts immediately
Same Day (Afternoon):
- Printing completed
- Quality check
- Ready for pickup by 4-5 PM
Total Time: 6-8 hours (same-day pickup in Calgary).
Complex/Large Order (3-5 Days)
1:
- Order placed
- Design consultation (if needed)
- Garment ordering (if not in stock)
2-3:
- Garments arrive
- Production begins
- Printing and curing
4-5:
- Quality inspection
- Packaging
- Delivery/pickup
Total Time: 5-7 days for large or complex orders.
How to Get Your Order Faster
1. Submit Print-Ready Artwork
Use high-resolution files (300 DPI) in vector format. Avoid last-minute design changes.
2. Choose In-Stock Garments
Stick with popular brands and standard colors. Ask us what’s in stock before ordering.
3. Order Ahead During Peak Seasons
Plan 1-2 weeks ahead for summer events and holiday orders.
4. Communicate Clearly
Tell us your deadline upfront. We’ll let you know if it’s achievable or suggest alternatives.
5. Work with a Local Calgary Printer
Local = faster. No shipping delays from overseas or out-of-province. At DTG Printing Corp, we’re right here in Calgary with local delivery and pickup options.
Comparing Calgary Printers: Turnaround Times
| Printer Type | Average Turnaround | Rush Available? | Minimums |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTG Printing Corp | 24-48 hours | Yes (same-day possible) | None |
| Large Screen Printers | 7-14 days | Rarely | 24-50+ shirts |
| Online Print Shops | 5-10 days + shipping | Sometimes | Varies |
| DIY/Hobby Shops | 3-7 days | No | Varies |
Copy table
Why We’re Faster:
- DTG and DTF printing require no setup
- No minimums mean we start your order immediately
- Local Calgary operation = no shipping delays
- 28 years of experience = efficient processes
Real-World Timeline Examples
Example 1: Band Merch for Weekend Show
Scenario: Local band needs 20 shirts for Saturday night gig. Orders Wednesday morning.
Timeline:
- Wednesday 9 AM: Order placed, print-ready files
- Wednesday 10 AM: Production starts
- Thursday 3 PM: Printing complete, quality check
- Friday 10 AM: Pickup in Calgary
Total Time: 48 hours. Band has merch for Saturday show. ✅
Example 2: Corporate Event T-Shirts
Scenario: Calgary tech company needs 50 branded shirts for Friday team-building event. Orders Monday afternoon.
Timeline:
- Monday 2 PM: Order placed
- Monday 3 PM: Garments confirmed in stock, production scheduled
- Tuesday-Wednesday: Printing and curing
- Thursday: Quality inspection, packaging
- Friday 9 AM: Delivery to office
Total Time: 4 days. Shirts arrive morning of event. ✅
Example 3: Rush Order for Trade Show
Scenario: Business realizes Thursday morning they need 10 shirts for Friday trade show booth.
Timeline:
- Thursday 8 AM: Rush order placed, extra fee applied
- Thursday 9 AM: Production starts immediately
- Thursday 2 PM: Printing complete
- Thursday 4 PM: Pickup in Calgary
Total Time: 8 hours. Crisis averted. ✅
The Bottom Line: Fast T-Shirt Printing in Calgary is Possible
With the right printer and proper planning, fast t-shirt printing in Calgary doesn’t have to be stressful.
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ DTG/DTF printing = 24-48 hours standard
- ✅ Print-ready artwork speeds everything up
- ✅ In-stock garments eliminate delays
- ✅ Local Calgary printers are faster than online shops
- ✅ Rush orders possible for urgent needs
At DTG Printing Corp, we’ve built our reputation on speed without sacrificing quality. With no minimum orders, 24-48 hour turnaround, and 28 years of experience, we’re Calgary’s go-to for fast, reliable custom t-shirt printing.
Need shirts fast?Contact us today to discuss your timeline, or submit your order now and let’s get printing.