From 10 to 100: How Small-Batch Printing Works for Every Group Size

Not every small business or local team needs 500 T-shirts at a time—and in 2025, that’s exactly the point. Today’s custom apparel market is embracing flexibility, personalization, and responsiveness. That’s why small-batch printing is becoming the go-to solution for businesses who value quality, efficiency, and connection.

Whether you need 10 hoodies for your staff, 50 shirts for a fundraiser, or 100 branded tees for a community event, small-batch printing with a local shop like Pacific Printing gives you the control, turnaround, and customer service your project deserves.

Let’s look at why small-batch screen printing works across a variety of group sizes, and why local production is ideal for modern small businesses.

What Is Small-Batch Printing?

Small-batch printing refers to custom print runs tailored to your specific quantity needs, typically between 10 and 100 items. Unlike bulk online vendors that require high minimums or lock you into fixed quantities, small batch allows for:

Precise order sizes
Flexible designs
Faster turnaround
Local collaboration
Lower up-front investment

In short: you print what you need, nothing more, nothing less.

Why Small-Batch Is a Perfect Fit for Small Businesses

You’ve got enough to juggle as a small business owner. Custom shirts or team merch shouldn’t add stress. Here’s why small-batch printing fits right into your workflow:

Lower Financial Risk: Ordering in smaller quantities means less up-front cost. It also means you’re not sitting on leftover inventory or guessing what sizes and styles will sell.

Easy to Scale: Start small, test what works, then reorder confidently. Whether it’s branded workwear or merch, you can grow your print needs as your business grows.

Tailored to Teams and Events: From 10 aprons for a bakery crew to 75 polos for a construction company, local small-batch printing adapts to the unique needs of your business.

Quality and Attention to Detail: At Pacific Printing, we treat small orders with the same care as large ones. We check your designs, ink, and garment choices to make sure your order looks sharp—whether it’s 10 pieces or 100.

Let’s Break It Down: Group Sizes That Benefit from Small-Batch Printing

10–25 Pieces: Micro Teams and Internal Use

Perfect for:

Small retail staff
Local cafés and breweries
Contractor crews
New hires or rebranding updates

Benefits:

Low commitment
Quick turnaround
Easy size customization
Great for testing new logo placements or shirt styles

Example: A local bakery wants matching tees for their four-person team plus backups. They order 12 shirts total—easy, affordable, and ready for daily wear.

25–50 Pieces: Events, Promotions, and Giveaways

Perfect for:

Local pop-ups and markets
Small conferences or fundraisers
Business anniversary celebrations
Branded client gifts

Benefits:

Keeps costs manageable
Excellent for one-time or seasonal use
Helps avoid over-ordering
Still qualifies for price breaks based on volume

Example: A real estate agent sponsors a community cleanup and orders 35 eco-friendly shirts featuring their logo and event date. These shirts are worn proudly during the event and serve as walking billboards long after.

50–100 Pieces: Branded Merch and Public-Facing Gear

Perfect for:

Launching a merch line
Uniform updates across multiple locations
Volunteer or customer appreciation shirts
Local sports teams or clubs

Benefits:

Enough to support multiple use cases
Strong ROI when sold or distributed at events
Excellent visibility for your brand

Example: A fishing charter company creates 75 branded tees to sell in their gift shop and give to VIP clients. The design matches their boat graphics and strengthens their coastal branding.

Why Local Printing Beats Online Bulk Vendors

It’s tempting to turn to big online printing platforms—but the experience rarely matches what local shops can provide. When you work with an automated website, you’re limited to chatbots, slow customer service, and strict minimum orders. Want to see a sample before you print? You’ll pay for shipping—if the option even exists. Need to tweak your design mid-order? Good luck finding a real person to help.

In contrast, local printers like Pacific Printing offer hands-on service. You can review garments in person, communicate directly with the team doing the work, and make changes in real-time. Your order stays local, arrives faster, and gets the attention to detail it deserves.

That’s not just better service, it’s smarter business.

Smart, Sustainable, Scalable

Small-batch printing is also the eco-conscious choice. No unnecessary waste, no mountains of unsold stock, and reduced transportation emissions. For Alaskan businesses trying to operate responsibly, this matters.

And when you’re ready to scale up? You’re already working with a local printer who knows your brand and can grow with you.

Big Results, Small Batches

From 10 to 100 shirts, small-batch printing is the smarter way for small businesses to get high-quality, locally made apparel that fits their needs, budget, and timeline.

Whether you’re launching a product, dressing your team, or prepping for a community event, Pacific Printing delivers customized screen-printing services that make it easy to look professional—without overcommitting or overpaying.

Let’s Print What You Actually Need

📍 Based in Ketchikan, Alaska
🎨 Expert screen printing for orders big or small
📦 Fast, flexible, and community-driven

Contact Pacific Printing today to get a quote or talk through your next small-batch order.

From 10 to 100: How Small-Batch Printing Works for Every Group Size