Best Printing Method for Small Shirt Orders

Trying to decide between DTF and screen printing for a small order? Here’s the straight answer based on what actually works.

Posted: April 6, 2026 | By: 843 Teez Team

If you're ordering less than 25 shirts, the question isn't just “how many” — it's which printing method actually makes sense for your order.

The Short Answer

For most small orders in Conway, SC, DTF printing is the best option.

It handles full color, has no minimums, and doesn’t require the setup that screen printing does. That’s why it’s become the go-to for small runs.

You can order one shirt or ten without paying for bulk setup costs.

Photos, gradients, and detailed artwork all print clean without extra cost per color.

No screen setup means quicker production, especially for last-minute jobs.

Perfect for birthdays, family shirts, small business runs, or test designs.

Screen printing isn’t “worse” — it just works better in different situations.

A lot of people try to force screen printing on a small order because they think it’s “cheaper.”

But for 5–15 shirts with a detailed design, it usually isn’t. DTF ends up being faster, simpler, and often the better overall value.

If you’re ordering fewer than 25 shirts and want full color, flexibility, and speed — DTF is almost always the right move.

If you’re planning a bigger run or a simple logo design, screen printing may take over.

If you’re not sure, that’s where we help.

Not sure which method to use?

Tell us what you're trying to make, and we’ll point you to the best option.

For small shirt orders, DTF is usually the best choice. It’s flexible, fast, and built for exactly that type of job.

Screen printing still wins in bulk — but for small runs, DTF is where most people should start.