Short answer: Opake's screen printing minimum is 72 pieces. From there, our shop in Vancouver, WA runs orders up to 10,000+ pieces with the same process and the same attention to detail.
If you're planning merch for a brand, a business, a team, or an event, the minimum is usually the first thing you need to know. Here's why screen printing has a minimum at all, what counts toward it, and how to plan an order that makes sense for your budget.
Why does screen printing have a minimum?
Screen printing puts ink on a garment through a mesh screen, one screen for each color in the design. Before the first shirt is printed, every screen has to be prepped, every ink has to be mixed and matched to its Pantone (PMS) color, and the press has to be set up and registered so each color lands exactly where it should.
That setup takes the same work whether you print 10 shirts or 1,000. A minimum spreads that setup across enough pieces to keep the per-piece cost reasonable and the quality consistent. It's also why screen printing gets more cost-effective as quantities grow.
What counts toward the 72-piece minimum?
- Sizes: One design can be split across sizes, and every size counts toward the 72.
- Garment styles and colors: Tees, hoodies, and different garment colors can be combined toward 72 as long as they share the same design. Keep in mind that dark and light garments need different artwork setups.
- Multiple designs: Each design and each print location needs its own 72-piece minimum.
- Embroidery: Embroidery and screen printing have separate minimums, so they can't be combined to reach 72.
Tips for planning your order
- Fewer ink colors keep setup simpler. Each color needs its own screen, so a one- or two-color design is often the most efficient way to start.
- Plan your size breakdown early. Knowing how many of each size you need speeds up quoting and production.
- Think about reorders. Brands that plan to restock can build a design that's easy to run again with consistent PMS-matched color.
What about large orders?
Opake is built to scale. Our shop handles runs from 72 pieces to 10,000+, and every order gets the same care, from first-run brands to established apparel companies. We've produced apparel for brands including Nike, Adidas, Jordan, Under Armour, and evo.
Larger runs open up more options for finishing too. Our retail finishing services, including custom neck and hem labels, poly bagging, hang tags, and UPC barcode labeling, get your merch shelf-ready before it leaves the shop.
Quick answers
What is the minimum order for screen printing at Opake?
72 pieces.
Can I mix sizes and garment colors to reach 72?
Yes. Sizes, garment styles, and garment colors can be combined toward 72 as long as they share the same design. Each additional design or print location needs its own 72.
What's the largest order Opake can handle?
Opake produces runs from 72 to 10,000+ pieces.
Why do screen printers have minimums?
Each color needs its own screen and press setup. A minimum spreads that setup across enough pieces to keep cost per piece reasonable.
What screen printing techniques does Opake offer?
Water-based printing, puff print, high-density ink, and metallic or shimmer inks, all PMS color-matched.
Where is Opake located?
12308 NE 56th St, Ste 1403, Vancouver, WA 98682. We serve brands and businesses across the Pacific Northwest, including Portland, Seattle, and Bend.
Ready to start?
Tell us your garment, quantity, and timeline, and we'll follow up with pricing and next steps. Get a quote.