Small Batch Clothing Printing in Melbourne: A Guide for Small Runs
You have a design, a small following and no interest in a garage full of stock. Most print shops want 50 or 100 pieces before they will talk to you. Small batch clothing printing is the other way to do it: print 10, 20 or 30 pieces, see what sells, then print again. Here is how we run small batches for labels, creators and small businesses at our Moorabbin studio in Melbourne.
What counts as a small batch?
For us, a small batch is anything from a single sample up to about 50 pieces of one design. That covers most first drops for a new label, a limited run for a band or creator, a capsule for a café or gym, or a test of a new colourway before you commit to a bigger order.
The quantity that matters is the total of one design, not one size. Twelve tees split across S, M, L and XL is a batch of 12.
Which print method suits a small run?
Digital print: from one piece
Digital print (DTF) is the workhorse for small batches. There are no screens to make, so there is no per-colour setup cost. Full colour, gradients and fine detail cost the same as a one-colour logo, and every piece can be different if you want names or numbers. It is the method we use most for first runs. See digital printing in Melbourne for how it works.
Embroidery: small runs welcome
Embroidery suits caps, polos, crews and hoodies where you want a premium, raised finish. Your design is digitised once and the stitch file is kept on record, so reprints of the same logo are quick. More on embroidery in Melbourne.
Screen print: from 25 pieces
Screen printing starts at 25 pieces of a design with up to four colours. Once you reach that point it usually gives the lowest price per piece, especially for simple one or two colour artwork. Many labels start with digital print, then move a proven design to screen printing for the restock.
How small batch pricing works
Every job has some fixed work: checking your artwork, setting up the print and handling the order. On a big run that work is shared across hundreds of pieces. On a small run it is shared across a few, so the price per piece is higher.
- 1 to 9 pieces are priced at our sample rate. It costs more per piece, but it is the cheapest way to hold a real sample before you commit.
- 10 pieces and up moves you onto bulk pricing, and the price per piece keeps dropping as the quantity goes up.
- 25 pieces and up opens up screen printing as an option for the same design.
Our minimum order guide breaks this down by method if you want the detail.
Tips for a first small batch
- Start with one hero piece. A tee or a hoodie in one or two colours is easier to sell through than five styles at once.
- Order a sample first. One piece at the sample rate lets you check the fit, the print size and the colour on fabric before you print the run.
- Choose a good blank. Brands like AS Colour give you a retail feel, a full size range and consistent colours when you reprint.
- Weight the size split. For most adult runs, M and L sell the most. Ask us if you are unsure and we will share what we see on similar orders.
- Keep your artwork print ready. A high resolution PNG or a vector file avoids delays. Our artwork prep guide covers what we need.
- Plan the restock. When a design sells out, a reprint of the same artwork is simple because the setup is already done.
Who we print small batches for
- New clothing labels testing a first drop (see clothing brand printing)
- Bands, artists and creators selling limited merch
- Cafés, gyms and studios that want a small retail range
- Small crews and sole traders who need a few uniforms
- Anyone who wants one great sample before a bigger order
How long does a small batch take?
Standard production is about 10 business days from when you sign off the artwork proof. If you have a launch date or an event, tell us when you ask for a quote and we will tell you straight away whether it works.
Get a small batch quote
Send us your design, the garment you like, the quantity and the sizes. We will recommend the right print method for your run and send you a clear quote. Request a quote, or book a visit to our Moorabbin studio to see blanks and print samples in person.
