Why the “best” printer changes with quantity
Ordering one custom shirt and ordering two hundred custom shirts are not the same errand. One is “i need a gift by Friday.” The other is “my entire organization will be wearing this in public, please don’t let it look weird.”
Here’s the big reason: print method economics.
- 1–5 shirts: You want DTG (direct-to-garment) or DTF (direct-to-film) because there’s little to no setup and it’s made for tiny runs.
- 50–500 shirts: Screen printing often wins for cost per shirt and durability, especially for simple designs with solid colors.
So instead of one giant “best list,” this guide splits the winners by the two order sizes that actually behave differently.
Quick picks at a glance
Best t-shirt printers for 1–5 shirts
- Printful: Best for print-on-demand (POD) and dependable quality
- RushOrderTees: Best when you need a small batch quickly
- Custom Ink: Best if you want help (and strict delivery options)
- Printify: Best for variety and usually lower POD costs (with a consistency tradeoff)
Best t-shirt printers for 50–500 shirts
- Custom Ink: Best for groups, support, and guaranteed delivery windows
- RushOrderTees: Best for fast turnaround and strong online ordering
- BlueCotton: Best for “we forgot the shirts” speed (including next-business-day options on select items)
- Underground Printing: Best if you want online ordering plus in-store pickup options (where available)
Best t-shirt printers for 1–5 shirts
Printful
Best for: Print-on-demand, ecommerce integration, and consistent output when you’re ordering one-off samples or micro-batches.
Why we like it
- Printful is built around no-minimum printing and common apparel decoration methods like DTG, DTF, and embroidery, which is exactly what small orders need.
- If you’re selling online, Printful is widely positioned as a strong option for integrating with online stores, which matters if you’re not manually placing every order.
- It’s also one of the easier ways to test: order one, see it in person, then decide if you’re scaling.
Watch-outs
- If you’re ordering 50–500 purely for the lowest cost per shirt, POD-style fulfillment often won’t beat a screen printing quote.
- “Fast” is relative. You still have production time plus shipping time, so it’s not the same as walking into a local shop.
RushOrderTees
Best for: A few shirts for an event, a deadline, or a “this needs to arrive on time” situation.
Why we like it
- RushOrderTees leans hard into no-minimum ordering and offers shipping options ranging from free standard to rush delivery, so you can trade money for time (or save money if you planned ahead for once).
- Their online flow is friendly for normal people: pick a shirt, upload art, get it printed, done.
Watch-outs
- For 1–5 shirts, the per-shirt price can feel high compared with bulk, because… physics (and labor, and shipping).
- If you’re picky about exact color matching across multiple future reorders, you’ll want to be extra careful with proofing and garment selection.
Custom Ink
Best for: People who want a lot of support, clear delivery windows, and an ordering process that’s built for groups (even if you’re only ordering a few items).
Why we like it
- Custom Ink offers no-minimum items, but the real strength is the “managed” feel: strong guidance, lots of guardrails, and delivery options that are very explicit (standard, rush, super rush, etc.).
- This is a solid pick when you’re thinking “i don’t want to be the person responsible for messing this up.”
Watch-outs
- You’ll often pay more than you would with a local screen printer or a barebones trade-style site.
- If you’re optimizing for the cheapest possible one-off shirt, Custom Ink is usually not that vibe.
Printify
Best for: Maximum product variety and often lower POD costs, especially if you’re testing designs or running a small online shop.
Why we like it
- Printify’s appeal is range: lots of garment choices and a straightforward “make your own shirt” flow.
- In general industry comparisons, Printify is commonly positioned as having a larger catalog and often lower prices, while Printful is framed as more consistent on quality and shipping. That’s a useful mental model when choosing.
Watch-outs
- Printify is a network model, so quality and consistency can vary more by print provider and product choice. If you’re ordering 5 shirts that all must match perfectly, pick carefully and sample first.
Honorable mentions for 1–5 shirts
- Spreadshirt: Also supports single-shirt ordering and can scale up, making it a decent “personal project” option if you like their editor and product selection.
- Gelato: Worth a look if you’re outside the US or want a “produce closer to the customer” model for POD-style orders.
Best t-shirt printers for 50–500 shirts
Custom Ink
Best for: The safest overall choice for teams, fundraisers, company swag, and any order where you care about process and reliability.
Why we like it
- Big group orders create big opportunities for mistakes (sizes, addresses, timing, approvals). Custom Ink is structured to handle that with clear delivery options and a lot of support.
- If you want fewer surprises, this is a strong pick.
Watch-outs
- You can often beat the price with a local printer or a more “trade” style online vendor, especially if your art is print-ready and you don’t need much hand-holding.
RushOrderTees
Best for: Bulk orders with a deadline, especially when you still want a smooth online experience.
Why we like it
- RushOrderTees is set up for screen printing orders that scale, and it’s very transparent about the “order more, pay less per shirt” reality.
- It’s also built around speed, with rush options that can be a lifesaver.
Watch-outs
- If you’re ordering 500 shirts with multiple print locations, specialty inks, or complicated art, you’ll want to double-check proofs and timelines. Complexity always slows things down somewhere.
BlueCotton
Best for: “We need these fast” bulk orders, including next-business-day options on select products and setups.
Why we like it
- BlueCotton is one of the more notable online options when speed is the headline, including programs designed around extremely fast delivery for qualifying orders.
- If your event is basically tomorrow and you’re okay staying inside the constraints (specific garments, cutoff times, finished art), it’s a real option.
Watch-outs
- BlueCotton has a minimum order (so it’s not for true 1–5 orders).
- Ultra-fast programs generally come with constraints: fewer garment choices, fewer chances to revise art, and tighter cutoff windows.
Underground Printing
Best for: Bulk orders where you want online ordering plus the option of in-store pickup (in supported areas), and a company that explicitly sells “any size group” ordering.
Why we like it
- Underground Printing highlights no minimums, fast delivery options, and the flexibility to serve everything from small groups to larger organizations.
- If you’re near one of their locations, pickup can simplify timelines (and reduce shipping stress).
Watch-outs
- As with any large apparel shop, your final result depends heavily on garment choice and art prep. “Same design, different shirt blank” can look like a different product.
How to choose the right printer in 3 minutes
1) Choose the print method first
If you do nothing else, do this.
- DTG: Great for small runs and designs with lots of colors or gradients.
- DTF: Great when you need vibrant prints across more fabric types (and often useful for small batches).
- Screen printing: Often the best value for 50–500 shirts, especially with simpler designs.
- Embroidery: Best for logos, left-chest branding, and workwear that needs to last.
2) Decide what you’re optimizing for
You usually can’t max out all four at once.
- Lowest cost per shirt: Screen printing, simple art, one print location, standard blanks.
- Fastest delivery: Rush-focused shops, but be ready to compromise on options.
- Best “feel” and detail: DTG/DTF can handle complex art well; screen printing can feel more “classic” and durable for bold designs.
- Least work for you: More guided services and stronger proofing support.
3) Reduce your cost without ruining the shirt
Small changes can drop the quote a lot:
- Print in one location (front only).
- Use fewer ink colors (for screen printing).
- Pick a common blank (Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Next Level style equivalents).
- Avoid last-minute changes after proofing starts (every change is time).
Final verdict
If you’re ordering 1–5 shirts, prioritize no minimums, simple tools, and digital printing. For most people, Printful is the most dependable “print-on-demand” option, and RushOrderTees is the go-to when time is tight.
If you’re ordering 50–500 shirts, the best t-shirt printers are usually the ones that do screen printing at scale and have the operational muscle to hit deadlines. Custom Ink is the safest all-around group option, while RushOrderTees, BlueCotton, and Underground Printing are strong picks depending on how hard you’re pushing speed and logistics.