Custom Shirts in Saskatoon: What Are Your Options for a Small Order?
September 18, 2026 · Sandstar Graphics, Saskatoon SK
Not every order is a team of 30 or a company of 200. Family reunions, a birthday gift, a bachelorette weekend, a small book club, or a single custom piece for yourself are all real reasons to want a custom shirt in Saskatoon without anywhere near a bulk quantity. Here is what actually happens when your order is small.
Quick answer
Below 12 shirts, DTF (direct-to-film) printing is almost always the better fit than screen printing, since there is no screen setup cost to spread across a small order. It handles full-colour and photographic designs, works for a single shirt or a handful, and you can supply your own blanks if you already have shirts you want printed.
Why Does Screen Printing Have a Minimum?
Screen printing requires a physical screen made for each ink colour in your design, plus press setup time before the first shirt is even printed. That cost is fixed whether you print 6 shirts or 60, so spreading it across only a handful of shirts makes each one expensive. That is why Sandstar Graphics recommends 12 pieces as a practical minimum for screen printing, with cost dropping meaningfully at 24 pieces and beyond.
What Are Your Options Below 12 Shirts?
- DTF printing has no screen setup, so it fits a single shirt just as reasonably as a dozen. It also handles full-colour, gradient, and photographic designs that would need multiple expensive screens.
- Vinyl (heat-applied lettering) works well for simple text or a single-colour logo on a handful of pieces, similar to how team jerseys get individual names and numbers.
- Embroidery is a separate option worth considering for a small run of premium pieces like polos or hats, where a stitched logo reads as more polished than a printed one.
Is a Small Order More Expensive Per Shirt?
Yes, and that is true of nearly any custom product. A small order has less volume to spread the design and setup cost across. The point of choosing DTF over screen printing for a small run is not that it makes the order cheap. It is that it avoids adding a second, unnecessary cost (screen setup) on top of what a small order already costs.
Can You Bring Your Own Shirts?
In most cases, yes. If you already own the shirts, hoodies, or tote bags you want printed, bring or ship them in and pay only for the printing itself. It is worth confirming the fabric first: some performance fabrics and pre-treated coatings do not take DTF or screen printing well, so a quick check before you order saves a wasted trip.
What Should You Have Ready to Get a Quote?
Have your design (or a clear idea of it), the exact quantity, and whether you are supplying garments or need them sourced. For gifts or events with a fixed date, mention it up front so turnaround is confirmed before you commit. Request a free quote here.
Also worth reading: Screen Printing vs. DTF vs. Vinyl and How Much Does Custom T-Shirt Screen Printing Cost in Saskatoon?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order fewer than 12 custom shirts in Saskatoon?
Yes. Sandstar Graphics recommends 12 pieces as the minimum for screen printing, but DTF (direct-to-film) printing has no practical minimum and works well for single pieces, small gifts, or a handful of shirts for a family or small group.
Is it more expensive to order a small quantity?
The per-shirt cost is higher on a small order than on a bulk order, because there is less volume to spread setup and garment cost across. DTF avoids the screen setup cost entirely, which keeps small orders more reasonable than trying to screen print below the recommended minimum.
What is DTF printing?
DTF (direct-to-film) is a printing method where a full-colour design is printed onto a special film, then heat-pressed onto the garment. It handles complex, multi-colour, or photographic designs with no screens to make, which is why it suits one-off and small orders well.
Can I supply my own shirts for a small order?
In most cases, yes. Bring or ship your own blank shirts and pay only for the printing. Confirm the fabric and any coating on the shirt beforehand, since some materials do not take print or ink well.
How long does a small order take?
Small DTF orders often move faster than a full screen printing run since there is no screen setup involved. Confirm your timeline when you request a quote, especially around a gift date or event.
Have a Small Order in Mind?
Whether it is one shirt or ten, send us your design and we will quote it within 1 business day.
Get a Free Quote