You don't need to order 50 or 100 t-shirts to get custom clothing made in Guatemala. At BrandLab, you can produce as few as 6 units per design. The myth of high minimum orders comes from traditional production models, but today, print on demand allows for small batch production, letting you validate your design and reorder only what sells. Here, we debunk the most common myths about minimum orders and show you why starting small is, almost always, the smartest decision.
In this article
- Myth 1: You have to order 50 or more
- Myth 2: Small batches are too expensive
- Myth 3: Small quantities don't look professional
- Why it's convenient to start with 6
- Frequently asked questions
Myth 1: “You have to order a minimum of 50 or 100 t-shirts”
The truth: that high minimum was a rule of traditional screen printing and volume manufacturing, where preparing each design was expensive. With techniques like DTF and embroidery, there's no longer a need to amortize screens for each color, so producing 6 garments is entirely viable. Ordering more just to "meet the minimum" results in boxes of unsold clothing.
Myth 2: “Small batches are super expensive”
The truth: yes, the cost per piece is somewhat higher in small quantities, but your total cost and risk are much lower. It's better to invest a small amount in 6 pieces, verify that your design is popular and sells, than to tie up thousands of quetzales in 100 garments that might not sell. And as you grow, you increase the quantity and the cost per piece decreases.
Produce from 6 units per design and reorder only what sells. No accumulated stock.
Myth 3: “With small quantities, it doesn't look professional”
The truth: the perception of quality comes from the base garment and the finish, not the quantity you ordered. A 100% premium cotton t-shirt with good DTF or an embroidered logo looks just as professional in a batch of 6 as in one of 600. Additionally, for orders of 12 units or more, you can request free samples to review the quality before full production.
Why it's convenient to start with 6 units
- Less risk: you don't tie up your money in inventory.
- You can try several designs: instead of 50 identical t-shirts, make 6 of various models and see which one works.
- Healthy cash flow: you reinvest the profit from each sale into the next batch.
- Combine sizes and colors: with the same design, within the same order.
If you're launching your brand, complement this with our guide on how to create your clothing brand in Guatemala.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order to get t-shirts made in Guatemala?
At BrandLab, the minimum is 6 units per design. You don't need to buy dozens of garments to launch your brand or prepare merchandise for an event.
Can I combine sizes and colors in the minimum order?
Yes, as long as you use the same design, you can mix sizes and colors within the same order, which gives you a more complete collection without increasing the minimum.
Is it more expensive to order only 6 t-shirts?
The cost per piece is somewhat higher than for large volumes, but your total investment and risk are much lower. It's the safest way to validate before scaling.
Do I receive samples before full production?
For orders of 12 units or more, you can request free samples, which are deducted from the total upon project confirmation.
Does the 6-unit minimum also apply to hoodies and sweatshirts?
Yes. The minimum of 6 units per design applies to t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and other garments in our catalog.
Start with 6 units, risk-free
Produce a small batch, validate your design, and reorder only what sells. We advise you at no cost.
Quote my project →From 6 units. Premium production in Guatemala.