How to Order Custom T-Shirts for Your Business

Custom t-shirts are one of the most effective tools a business can use to build brand recognition, outfit a team, or create merchandise that people actually want to wear. But if you've never ordered custom apparel before, the process can feel overwhelming — especially with so many options, print methods, and vendors to sort through.

The good news: it doesn't have to be complicated. With the right approach and the right printing partner, ordering custom t-shirts for your business is a straightforward process that you can get through in a few simple steps.

Here's exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Quantity

Before you look at garments or artwork, start with the basics: what are these shirts for, and how many do you need?

Your answers will shape almost every other decision in the process.

What are the shirts for?

• Staff uniforms or workwear
• Event merchandise or giveaways
• Branded merchandise for sale
• Team apparel for a sports league or organization
• Promotional items for a trade show or marketing campaign

Each use case has different requirements. Staff uniforms might prioritize durability and a professional look. Event merch might prioritize a bold design and a low per-unit cost. Knowing your purpose upfront helps you make smarter decisions about garment selection, print method, and budget.

How many do you need?

Quantity is one of the biggest factors in both pricing and print method selection. Here's a general rule of thumb:

• Under 48 units: DTG or DTF printing is typically the most cost-effective option
• 48-100 units: Screen printing becomes competitive; DTG is still viable
• 100+ units: Screen printing usually offers the best per-unit value for simple designs

If you're not sure how many you need, it's better to estimate slightly high. Most print shops (including Garment Gear) can work with you on quantities, and ordering a few extra is almost always cheaper than placing a second run.

Step 2: Choose Your Garment

The garment is the canvas for your print — and it matters more than most people realize. A great design on a low-quality shirt will feel cheap and look worse after a few washes. A quality garment makes your brand look polished and professional.

Here are the key factors to consider:

Fabric weight and feel. Lighter shirts (4.0-4.5 oz) feel soft and breathable but may be more sheer. Heavier shirts (5.0-6.0 oz) feel more substantial and hold their shape better. For most business and team apparel, a mid-weight shirt in the 4.5-5.3 oz range hits the sweet spot. Cotton vs. blends. 100% cotton is the best choice for DTG printing — it absorbs ink beautifully and produces vibrant, soft prints. Cotton-polyester blends are more durable and moisture-wicking, which makes them great for athletic or outdoor use. If you're going with screen printing or DTF, blends work well. Fit and style. Consider who's wearing the shirts and what look you're going for. Classic unisex fits work for most business and team applications. If you want a more modern look, a fitted or fashion-forward cut might be worth the slight price premium.

At Garment Gear, we work extensively with the Gildan Softstyle 64000 — a 4.5 oz ring-spun cotton shirt that's a favorite for DTG printing. It's available in 73 colors, fits well, and produces excellent print results. It's a great starting point if you're not sure where to begin.

Step 3: Prepare Your Artwork

Your artwork is the most important part of the process — and it's also where most first-time buyers run into trouble. Here's what you need to know.

File formats matter. For the best print results, you want vector files (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) or high-resolution raster files (PNG at 300 DPI or higher). Low-resolution JPEGs or screenshots will produce blurry, pixelated prints. If your logo only exists as a small image on your website, you may need to have it recreated as a vector file before printing. Color mode matters too. Print shops work in CMYK color mode, not RGB. Colors that look vibrant on a screen can shift when converted to CMYK. If color accuracy is critical for your brand, ask your printer to send you a proof before the full run. Placement and sizing. Think about where you want the print on the garment (chest, back, sleeve) and how large you want it. A standard left-chest print is typically 3-4 inches wide. A full front or back print can go up to 12-14 inches wide. Your printer can advise on what looks best for your specific design. Don't have artwork ready? That's okay. At Garment Gear, you can select I need Garment Gear to create my design when you fill out the Quick Start Questionnaire. Our team can help with design assistance as part of your order.

Step 4: Select Your Print Method

Once you know your quantity and have your artwork ready, it's time to choose a print method. We covered this in depth in our DTG vs. Screen Printing guide, but here's the short version:

• DTG: Best for small quantities, complex artwork, and 100% cotton garments
• Screen printing: Best for larger quantities (48+) and bold, simple designs
• DTF: Best for specialty fabrics or when you need full-color prints on non-cotton garments

If you're not sure, just tell us. Our team will look at your artwork and quantity and recommend the right method before you commit.

Step 5: Submit Your Order and Get a Quote

Once you've thought through your goals, garment, artwork, and print method, you're ready to submit your order request.

At Garment Gear, we make this easy with two options:

The Quick Start Questionnaire is a short intake form that takes less than 2 minutes to fill out. Tell us your garment type, quantity, print method preference, and delivery timeline — and our team will follow up with a detailed quote within one to two business days. The DTG Configurator walks you through a 6-step process to configure your DTG order in detail — including package selection, colors and sizes, placement, and artwork upload. You'll get a real-time price estimate as you build your order.

Both options are completely free with no obligation. We review every submission personally and follow up with a quote that's tailored to your specific project.

Step 6: Approve and Print

Once you receive your quote and approve the details, the process is simple:

1. Approve the quote and confirm your order details

2. Submit your artwork (or work with our team on design assistance)

3. Review a proof if you'd like to see a mockup before we print

4. We print and ship — with tracking and updates throughout

Most orders ship within 7-14 business days depending on quantity and print method. Rush options are available if you're working against a tight deadline.

Ready to Get Started?

Ordering custom t-shirts for your business doesn't have to be a headache. With the right partner and a clear process, you can go from idea to finished order without the confusion, back-and-forth, or hidden fees that plague a lot of print shops.

Start your Quick Start order today and our team will take it from there.