Introduction
Traditional screen printing companies often require minimum orders of 50-100 pieces, forcing you to invest thousands of dollars upfront and risk being stuck with unsold inventory. But what if you only need 5 shirts for your band’s next gig? Or a single custom tee for a special gift? Or 20 shirts to test a new design before committing to a larger order?
At DTG Printing Corp in Calgary, we specialize in no minimum custom t-shirt printing—meaning you can order as few as one shirt or as many as you need, without being forced into bulk quantities that don’t make sense for your project. Whether you’re an independent musician, a small business owner, a wrestler building your brand, or someone creating a personal gift, our small batch custom t-shirt printing in Calgary gives you the flexibility to print exactly what you need, when you need it.
What is No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing?
No minimum custom t-shirt printing means you can order any quantity of custom shirts—from a single piece to hundreds—without being forced to meet arbitrary minimum order requirements.
Traditional Screen Printing vs No Minimum Printing
Traditional Screen Printing:
- Requires 50-100+ piece minimums
- High setup costs spread across large orders
- Cost-prohibitive for small quantities
- Forces you to order excess inventory
- Long lead times for production
No Minimum Printing (DTG/DTF):
- Order 1, 5, 10, or any quantity you need
- Low setup costs make small orders affordable
- Cost-effective for testing designs
- No wasted inventory or upfront capital
- Fast turnaround times
Our Approach: At DTG Printing Corp, we use DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing technologies that make small batch custom t-shirt printing in Calgary economically viable and high-quality.
Learn about our DTG printing services and DTF printing services.
Benefits of No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing in Calgary
1. Test Designs Before Bulk Orders
The Challenge: Ordering 100 shirts of a new design is risky—what if fans don’t like it? What if the colors don’t look right? What if it doesn’t sell?
The Solution: Order 5-10 test shirts to gauge fan or customer response, test color combinations and design placement, verify quality before committing to larger orders, and minimize financial risk.
Perfect for: Bands testing new merch designs, businesses launching new products, wrestlers trying new character branding
2. No Wasted Inventory
The Challenge: Traditional minimums force you to order 50-100 shirts, but what if you only sell 30? You’re stuck with 20-70 shirts taking up space and tying up capital.
The Solution:Small batch custom t-shirt printing in Calgary lets you order only what you can realistically sell, restock as needed based on actual demand, avoid storage costs and wasted inventory, and reduce financial risk for new ventures.
Perfect for: Independent musicians, small businesses, startups, personal projects
3. On-Demand Production
The Challenge: Predicting demand is difficult. Order too few and you miss sales opportunities. Order too many and you waste money.
The Solution: Print on-demand as orders come in to eliminate inventory management, respond quickly to demand spikes, offer variety without bulk ordering each design, and reduce upfront capital requirements.
Perfect for: Online stores, resellers, event-specific merchandise, seasonal designs
4. Personalization & Customization
The Challenge: Traditional printing makes it impossible to offer personalized or one-off custom shirts without prohibitive costs.
The Solution:No minimum custom t-shirt printing in Calgary enables individual names or numbers on shirts, one-of-a-kind gifts and special occasions, custom designs for specific customers, and unique merchandise for VIP fans or clients.
Perfect for: Personalized gifts, special events, individual orders, custom requests
5. Budget-Friendly for Small Projects
The Challenge: Spending $500-$1,000 on a minimum order isn’t feasible for everyone, especially when starting out.
The Solution: Order exactly what your budget allows—start with 1-10 shirts to test the market, scale up as revenue grows, invest profits back into larger orders, and maintain cash flow while building your brand.
Perfect for: Bootstrapped startups, independent artists, side hustles, passion projects
6. Fast Turnaround Times
The Challenge: Traditional screen printing often requires 2-3 weeks for production, even for small orders.
The Solution:Small batch custom t-shirt printing in Calgary offers faster production (no screen setup required), rush orders available for urgent needs, same-week turnaround for many orders, and local Calgary pickup to save shipping time.
Perfect for: Last-minute events, urgent restocks, time-sensitive promotions
Who Benefits from No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing?
Independent Musicians & Bands
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Test new merch designs before investing in bulk
- Create limited-edition designs for special shows
- Offer variety without ordering 50+ of each design
- Manage cash flow while building your brand
Common Orders:
- 5-10 shirts for small gigs or testing
- 20-30 shirts for local shows
- 50+ shirts for tours (with volume discounts)
See our band merch printing guide.
Wrestlers & Combat Sports Athletes
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Build your brand without large upfront investment
- Create entrance tees for specific events
- Test character branding and catchphrases
- Offer personalized merch to dedicated fans
Common Orders:
- 1-5 entrance tees for upcoming matches
- 10-20 shirts for event merchandise tables
- 30+ shirts for established wrestlers
See our wrestling merch printing guide.
Small Businesses & Startups
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Launch branded merchandise without huge investment
- Test product-market fit before scaling
- Offer employee apparel for small teams
- Create promotional items for events
Common Orders:
- 5-10 employee shirts for small teams
- 20-30 promotional tees for events
- 50+ shirts for established businesses
Resellers & Entrepreneurs
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Test trending designs without risk
- Offer variety without bulk inventory
- Print on-demand as orders come in
- Maximize profit margins with smart ordering
Common Orders:
- 1-5 samples to test designs
- 10-20 shirts to build initial inventory
- Restock bestsellers as needed
Event Organizers
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Create commemorative shirts for small events
- Avoid over-ordering for uncertain attendance
- Offer pre-orders to gauge demand
- Print additional shirts if needed
Common Orders:
- 10-20 shirts for small community events
- 30-50 shirts for mid-sized gatherings
- 100+ shirts for large events (volume discounts)
Personal Gifts & Special Occasions
Why No Minimums Matter:
- Create one-of-a-kind gifts without bulk ordering
- Design custom shirts for birthdays, weddings, reunions
- Personalize with names, dates, or inside jokes
- Affordable for individual purchases
Common Orders:
- 1 shirt for a unique gift
- 5-10 shirts for family reunions or bachelor parties
- 20+ shirts for large celebrations
Pricing for No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing in Calgary
Our no minimum custom t-shirt printing in Calgary pricing is transparent and straightforward:
Pricing Factors:
- Garment Type: T-shirt, hoodie, tank top, long sleeve, etc.
- Printing Method: DTG (cotton) or DTF (polyester/blends)
- Design Complexity: Colors, size, placement
- Order Quantity: Volume discounts at 12+ units
Small Order Premium:
Orders Under 12 Units:
- Small premium charge applies to cover setup costs
- Still more affordable than traditional minimums
- Transparent pricing—no hidden fees
Orders of 12+ Units:
- Premium charge eliminated
- Volume discounts applied
- Lower per-unit cost
- Maximum value for larger orders
View our complete pricing at:https://www.dtgprinting.ca/pricing/
Cost Comparison: No Minimum vs Traditional Screen Printing
Example Scenario: 10 Custom T-Shirts
Traditional Screen Printing:
- Minimum order: 50 shirts required
- Total cost: $500-$750 (forced to buy 50)
- Per-shirt cost: $10-$15
- Wasted inventory: 40 shirts you don’t need
- Actual cost per needed shirt: $50-$75
No Minimum Printing (DTG Printing Corp):
- Order quantity: Exactly 10 shirts
- Total cost: $150-$250 (only what you need)
- Per-shirt cost: $15-$25
- Wasted inventory: Zero
- Actual cost per needed shirt: $15-$25
Savings: $250-$500 by not being forced to order excess inventory
How to Order Small Batch Custom T-Shirts in Calgary
Step 1: Prepare Your Design
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) are preferred. High-resolution PNG or JPG (300 DPI minimum) also work well. Avoid low-quality images from social media and consider design placement (front, back, sleeve).
Visit our design guidelines page for detailed specifications.
Step 2: Choose Your Garments
Fabric Selection:
- 100% Cotton: Best for DTG printing (soft, breathable)
- Polyester/Blends: Best for DTF printing (durable, athletic)
- Hoodies, Tank Tops, Long Sleeves: All available
Size Range:
- Small through 3XL typically available
- Extended sizes available upon request
Step 3: Select Printing Method
DTG Printing:
- Best for cotton shirts
- Soft, no-hand feel
- Excellent detail and color accuracy
- Ideal for artistic designs
DTF Printing:
- Best for polyester and performance fabrics
- Durable, vibrant colors
- Works on any fabric type
- Ideal for athletic wear
Compare methods in our DTG vs DTF guide.
Step 4: Determine Quantity
Consider how many you realistically need. Can you afford to test with 5-10 first? Will you reach the 12-unit threshold for volume discounts? Do you need variety (multiple designs or sizes)?
Pro Tip: If you’re close to 12 units, consider adding a few more to eliminate the small order premium and reduce per-unit cost.
Step 5: Submit Your Order
Visit https://www.dtgprinting.ca/submit-order/, upload your design files, specify garment type, sizes, and quantities, choose printing method (or ask for our recommendation), receive quote and timeline, then approve and proceed with production.
Tips for Maximizing Value with Small Batch Orders
1. Start Small, Scale Smart
Order 5-10 shirts to test design and demand. Gather feedback from customers or fans. Reorder in larger quantities (12+) once validated. Gradually build inventory based on actual sales.
2. Combine Orders to Reach 12+ Units
Mix sizes within the same design. Combine multiple designs in one order. Include different garment types (tees + hoodies). Coordinate with friends or bandmates to bulk up.
3. Plan for Events
Order 2-3 weeks before your event for standard turnaround. Consider rush options for last-minute needs. Order slightly more than expected attendance (10-20% buffer). Bring leftover inventory to future events.
4. Leverage Seasonal Demand
Print hoodies in fall/winter. Print tank tops and tees in spring/summer. Create holiday-themed designs for gift-giving seasons. Plan inventory around tour dates or event schedules.
5. Test Multiple Designs
Order 5 of Design A and 5 of Design B. See which sells better at your next show. Reorder the winner in larger quantities. Minimize risk while maximizing variety.
Why Choose DTG Printing Corp for No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing in Calgary?
True No Minimums: Order exactly what you need—1, 5, 10, or more. No forced bulk orders.
28 Years of Printing Experience: We understand the unique needs of small businesses, independent artists, and personal projects.
Both DTG and DTF Printing: We offer both printing methods, so you get the best technology for your fabric and design.
Local Calgary Service: Fast turnaround times, local pickup, and personalized consultation.
Transparent Pricing: Clear pricing with no hidden fees. Check our pricing page anytime.
Quality Guarantee: Every order—whether 1 shirt or 100—receives the same attention to detail and quality standards.
Fast Production: With a capacity of 20 shirts per hour, we can handle rush orders for urgent needs.
Get Started with No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing in Calgary Today
Ready to create custom t-shirts without the burden of minimum orders? Whether you need one shirt for a special gift or 50 shirts for your next event, we’re here to help.
Contact DTG Printing Corp:
- Website: https://www.dtgprinting.ca
- Submit Order: https://www.dtgprinting.ca/submit-order/
- Pricing: https://www.dtgprinting.ca/pricing/
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
Stop being forced into bulk orders you don’t need. Start printing exactly what you want, when you want it, with no minimum custom t-shirt printing in Calgary.
Submit your order or request a quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions About No Minimum Custom T-Shirt Printing in Calgary
Q: What’s the minimum order quantity for custom t-shirts?
A: We have no minimum order requirement. You can order as few as 1 shirt or as many as you need.
Q: Is the quality the same for small orders?
A: Yes! Whether you order 1 shirt or 100, we use the same equipment, processes, and quality standards.
Q: How much more expensive are small orders?
A: Orders under 12 units include a small premium charge to cover setup costs. However, you’re still saving money compared to being forced to order 50-100 shirts you don’t need.
Q: Can I order different sizes in small quantities?
A: Absolutely! You can mix sizes within your order. For example, order 2 Small, 3 Medium, 3 Large, and 2 XL—all counted toward your total quantity.
Q: Can I order multiple designs in one order?
A: Yes! You can combine multiple designs in a single order. Each design will be priced individually based on complexity and quantity.
Q: How long does production take for small orders?
A: Small orders often have faster turnaround times since they require less production time. Standard turnaround varies, with rush options available for urgent needs.