Need one custom shirt for a gift, three for your crew, or a dozen for a small business?
Yes, you can order just one custom shirt at M&D Creations.
No need to pad your order to 12 or 24 pieces just to get started.
It’s frustrating when a site advertises “no minimum,” then adds setup fees, per-color charges, or requires you to use a specific blank. For no minimum custom shirts, it helps to ask what the price actually includes: the garment, decoration, artwork work, and any one-time charges.
At M&D Creations, we make custom apparel in-house in Knoxville and work with orders of all sizes. Here’s how small orders work and what you can expect to pay.
Why do some print shops have minimums?
Traditional screen printing requires a setup for each design, including preparing screens for the ink colors. That setup takes time and adds cost before a shirt is printed. With a larger batch, those costs are spread across more shirts; with one or two, they can make the per-shirt price much higher. Shops may also set minimums to simplify ordering blanks and reduce leftover inventory.
Other methods make small runs more practical. DTF, or direct-to-film printing, transfers a full-color design from a special film onto fabric using heat. It doesn’t require a separate screen for each color, so a one-off design or a handful of shirts can be a reasonable order. Embroidery can also work for a single item, though the design’s stitch count and any digitizing affect the price.
That’s why “custom t shirt printing no minimum” is not just a slogan at our shop: we can help you choose a method suited to the quantity and design you need.
What do a few custom shirts cost?
Here are examples of M&D Creations pricing to help you budget. They are examples, not a final quote; prices and availability can change, so confirm current pricing(opens in new tab) before placing an order.
The garment prices above don’t include creating a design or making edits. If you already have artwork ready to print, tell us that when you request a quote. For DTF on a garment you provide, the listed price covers the decoration, not the garment itself.
For embroidery on your own garment, example prices are $15 for under 7,000 stitches, $18 for 7,000–12,000 stitches, and $21 for 12,000–18,000 stitches. A one-time digitizing charge of $30 may apply to prepare a design for embroidery. Stitch count, placement, and the garment all matter, so ask us to confirm the total for your specific item.
Need a hat? Richardson and Yupoong hats are $32 each for 1–4, $30 each for 5–9, and $28 each for 10–19. Artwork requirements and any setup or digitizing needs can affect the total.
A small order doesn’t necessarily mean there will never be an extra charge. Design creation, artwork edits, and embroidery digitizing are different from the cost of printing or stitching. Ask what’s included in your quote so there are no surprises.
What can you order in a small run?
Small orders are useful for more than personal gifts. A local shop may need two shirts for staff, a small business owner may want a few branded pieces to test before ordering more, or a family may want a one-off design for a reunion. We’re happy to talk through a custom apparel project whether it’s one piece or a bigger batch.
For a simple full-color graphic, DTF can suit a small run. Embroidery is often a good fit for a logo on a polo, work shirt, or hat. If you have a particular garment or decoration in mind, we can help you decide which option makes sense.
How to make a small custom order go smoothly
• Start with your artwork. A clear, high-quality file is the easiest starting point. If you have a logo or graphic ready to print, send it along with the size and placement you’re imagining. If you need a design created or adjusted, mention that too; design work or edits may cost extra.
• Choose the garment and decoration together. Think about how the shirt will be used, what fabric or style you prefer, and where the design should go. A printed graphic and an embroidered left-chest logo create different looks. If you’re unsure, ask before settling on a garment.
• Review the preview before production. We offer a sample or preview before production so you can check the design’s placement, scale, and spelling. Take a careful look before approving it, especially if the artwork includes names, dates, or business details.
• Give us a little lead time. Turnaround depends on the artwork, garment availability, order details, and current workload. When you reach out, share the date you need the shirts and we’ll confirm an estimated timeline before moving forward.
• Want to bring your own garment? DTF printing and embroidery may be possible on items you already own. For embroidery on customer-provided garments, we require a signed waiver. Let us know what the item is before bringing it in so we can check whether it’s suitable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order just one custom shirt?
Yes. M&D Creations has no minimum order requirement. Tell us what you want printed or embroidered, and we’ll help you find the right option for one shirt or a small batch.
Is there a setup fee for one shirt?
It depends on the work involved. The listed shirt prices include a Gildan garment and printing when you provide ready-to-print artwork. Design creation or edits cost extra, and embroidery may involve a one-time $30 digitizing charge. Ask us to confirm any additional costs for your project.
Can you print on shirts I already own?
Yes, DTF printing on a customer garment is available at the example prices above. Those prices cover printing and pressing only. Tell us about the garment first so we can confirm it’s appropriate for the design.
Do you do embroidery for a single polo or hat?
Yes. We can discuss single-piece embroidery, including polos and hats. Pricing depends on the garment, design, stitch count, and any digitizing needs.
How long does a small order take?
Timing varies with the garment, artwork, and current workload. Share your deadline when you contact us, and we’ll confirm an estimated turnaround before production.
Order just the shirts you need
If you’re looking for custom shirts no minimum order or searching for custom shirts Knoxville TN, M&D Creations is here to help you get a few pieces made without a bulk commitment.
We’re a family-owned and operated business, and we give every customer personal, 1:1 attention. Your order is produced in-house at our Knoxville store. Nothing is outsourced.
Call or text (865) 925-3006(opens in new tab), email made2order@mdcknox.com(opens in new tab), send details through our order form(opens in new tab), or stop by 6828 Maynardville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918. We’ll help you figure out the right garment, decoration, and price for the number you actually need.
