Whether you're outfitting a youth soccer league in Aurora, ordering branded shirts for your Denver restaurant staff, or putting together merchandise for a community event, custom t-shirts are one of the most versatile and cost-effective promotional tools available. This guide walks you through the three main printing methods, how to choose the right one for your order, and what to expect from a local print shop in the Denver metro area.
The Three Main T-Shirt Printing Methods
Understanding the difference between screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG), and sublimation will help you make the right choice for your order — and avoid paying more than you need to.
Screen printing is the classic method and the best choice for orders of 12 or more shirts with simple designs (1–4 colors). The setup cost is higher (screens must be made for each color), but the per-shirt price drops significantly at volume. A 12-shirt order with a 2-color design typically runs $18–25 per shirt. At 48 shirts, that drops to $12–16 per shirt. Screen printing produces vibrant, durable colors that last hundreds of washes.
Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing works like an inkjet printer for fabric. It's ideal for small orders (1–11 shirts) and complex, full-color designs like photographs or detailed artwork. There's no setup fee, so a single shirt is economical. DTG costs $20–35 per shirt for small quantities. The colors are excellent, but DTG prints are slightly less durable than screen printing over time — typically 50–100 washes before noticeable fading.
Sublimation printing produces the most vibrant, all-over designs and is the standard for athletic wear, jerseys, and performance apparel. The ink becomes part of the fabric rather than sitting on top, so it never cracks or peels. Sublimation requires polyester fabric (it doesn't work on cotton), so it's best for sports uniforms, cycling jerseys, and moisture-wicking athletic shirts. Pricing is similar to DTG for small orders.
Choosing the Right Method for Your Order
| Your Situation | Best Method | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sports team jerseys (12+) | Sublimation | From $22/shirt |
| Business uniforms (12+) | Screen Print | From $14/shirt |
| Event shirts (48+) | Screen Print | From $10/shirt |
| Custom design, 1–11 shirts | DTG | From $20/shirt |
| Full-color photo design | DTG or Sublimation | From $22/shirt |
| Simple logo, 100+ shirts | Screen Print | From $8/shirt |
What Denver Sports Teams Need to Know
Aurora and Denver have hundreds of youth and adult recreational sports leagues — soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, flag football, and more. At Arif Printing, we work with leagues across the Denver metro area to produce uniforms, warm-up shirts, and fan apparel. Here's what league coordinators should know:
For sublimation jerseys, allow 5–7 business days for production. We can accommodate rush orders in 2–3 days for an additional fee. Provide your team's roster with sizes at least a week before your first game. We can produce individual names and numbers on each jersey at no extra charge for orders of 10+.
For screen-printed team shirts, turnaround is typically 3–5 business days. We stock blank shirts in youth and adult sizes from S to 4XL. If you need a specific brand (Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Next Level), let us know when you order.
Bulk Discounts for Denver Businesses
Restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and service businesses ordering staff uniforms qualify for our bulk pricing tiers. Orders of 24+ shirts receive 10% off, 48+ receive 15% off, and 100+ receive 20% off. We also offer a reorder discount — if you've ordered from us before, your second order is automatically 5% cheaper.
Get a Free Quote for Your Team or Business
The easiest way to get started is to text us your design idea and approximate quantity to (720) 296-2191. We'll respond with a price within the hour during business hours. You can also fill out our online quote form and we'll follow up within 2 hours.