FabricForge prints custom t-shirts in London using DTF (direct-to-film), a full-colour digital print method with no minimum order and no per-colour setup cost. Every order gets a free proof before printing, and quotes are given per order via WhatsApp or email rather than listed at a fixed price, since garment, quantity and design all change the real cost.
DTF is the print method most custom t-shirt printers only offer as an add-on. It's what we use as standard, on every t-shirt, for every order — because it holds full colour on any shirt colour, works on single shirts and full runs alike, and doesn't crack or fade the way cheaper methods do. Here's what that means for your order.
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No minimum order
One shirt or a hundred, the price per shirt and the printing process are the same. There's no setup fee that only makes sense at bulk quantities, which is the main reason smaller custom orders often get quoted badly elsewhere. See our no-minimum explainer or bulk & trade pricing depending on your order size.
What we print on
Our standard t-shirt is a Fruit of the Loom Original T (SS12) — a proper mid-weight cotton tee, not a thin promotional blank, available in a wide colour and size range. If you need a different blank (heavier weight, organic cotton, a specific brand), tell us and we'll source it or confirm honestly if we can't. See our blank & fabric guide for more.
How pricing works
We're quote-led rather than fixed-price online, because a genuinely accurate price depends on quantity, design complexity, and garment choice — and we'd rather give you a number that's right than a generic headline figure that doesn't hold up once we see your actual design. Send us your design and quantity and we'll come back with a real price, usually within a couple of minutes on WhatsApp.
As a general steer: single shirts and small runs (under 10) sit at the higher end per-shirt because there's no bulk discount to spread costs across; runs of 20+ start seeing meaningful per-shirt savings; full colour costs the same as one colour with DTF, so a detailed design doesn't cost more than a simple logo.
Why DTF over screen printing or DTG
Screen printing needs a separate screen per colour, so it only gets cost-effective at higher quantities with simple designs. DTG (direct-to-garment) is fine for one-offs on cotton but slower per unit and needs pre-treatment on dark garments. DTF sits between them: no per-design setup cost, works across cotton, poly-blends and more, and holds full colour on light or dark shirts equally well. Quick decision guide: DTF vs DTG, which should you choose? Full technical comparison: DTF vs Screen Printing vs DTG guide.
How long it lasts
DTF bonds into the fabric rather than sitting as a rigid surface layer, so it flexes with normal wear and washing instead of cracking or peeling at the edges of the design — see our full guide to DTF wash durability for care tips and what to expect over time.
Turnaround
Standard turnaround is a few working days once your design is approved, with free UK delivery via Evri. Need it faster for an event or deadline? See our same-day London printing page, or tell us when you message us and we'll confirm honestly whether we can hit it.
Getting your artwork ready
Not sure about file formats or resolution? Our artwork setup guide covers what actually matters — and if you don't have a print-ready file at all, that's genuinely fine, just send us your idea.
What people order this for
Personalised T-Shirts
One shirt, your name/photo/message — gifts and one-off orders.
Team T-Shirts
Work teams, pub quiz teams, societies and charity challenge groups.
Stag & Hen Do T-Shirts
Matching group tees for a stag, hen, or wedding party — names, in-jokes, or a group design.
Workwear & Staff Uniform
Branded t-shirts for staff, trades, and small businesses — logo printing at any quantity.
Charity & Fundraising Tees
Event and fundraiser t-shirts, printed at no minimum for smaller charity runs.
Bulk & Trade Orders
Higher volume orders and trade/reseller pricing.
Guides & further reading
How Much Does T-Shirt Printing Cost in the UK?
What actually drives price up or down, and roughly what to expect at different order sizes.
No-Minimum T-Shirt Printing Explained
Why some printers can't do small orders economically, and how DTF changes that.
Best T-Shirts & Blanks for DTF Printing
What fabric and weight actually work best for DTF, and what to avoid.
How Long Do DTF Prints Last?
Wash durability, care tips, and how DTF compares to vinyl and basic heat-press over time.
DTF vs DTG: Which Should You Choose?
Quick decision guide for picking between the two methods.
Artwork Setup Guide
File formats, resolution and colour tips for getting your design print-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order?
No — one shirt is priced and printed the same way as a large run, no setup fee penalty for small orders.
Does full colour cost more than one colour?
No — DTF costs the same regardless of how many colours are in your design.
What t-shirt do you print on as standard?
A Fruit of the Loom Original T (SS12) — a mid-weight cotton tee in a wide colour and size range. We can source other blanks on request.
Why don't you show fixed prices online?
Because an accurate price depends on quantity, design and garment choice — we'd rather quote you a real number than a generic estimate that doesn't hold up. It's usually a two-minute WhatsApp reply.
How long does DTF printing last?
DTF is designed to resist the cracking and peeling that cheaper print methods are prone to — see our full durability guide for details and care tips.
Do you deliver UK-wide?
Yes, via Evri, anywhere in the UK.
From idea to finished shirt, step by step
Many first-time buyers are unsure what the process involves, so here is the sequence in plain terms.
1. Message us with the basics. Tell us what you want printed, how many shirts, the colours and the sizes. A photo or a sketch is enough to start.
2. We reply personally with questions if anything is unclear, and with a quote for your particular order.
3. A proof is shown before printing. This is your chance to check spelling, positions and colours. Read every word of text aloud, because typos are easiest to spot that way.
4. You approve or ask for changes. Nothing goes to print until you are happy with what you can see.
5. Your order is printed by one of the production houses we work with in major UK cities, and then it is passed on to you. Tell us your deadline when you request a quote, and order early where you can.
Because the printing takes place at production houses rather than in a shop, there are no walk-in visits. Everything is arranged by message, phone or email, and we can discuss collection from East London if that suits you better.
Choosing where the design sits
Position changes how a shirt looks as much as the artwork does. A few reliable starting points:
- Centre chest is the classic choice for a statement design or slogan.
- Left chest suits a small logo or a discreet name.
- Full back works for team names, event dates and large graphics.
- Back of the neck or upper back is a quiet place for a small brand mark.
- Sleeve adds a detail without interfering with the main design.
A single position usually looks cleaner than a crowded layout. If you are unsure, describe the occasion and we will suggest a layout.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Sending a screenshot from social media as your artwork. These are usually compressed and too small to print crisply.
- Putting white text on a pale shirt, or dark text on a dark shirt.
- Asking for tiny writing near the hem or cuff, where it becomes hard to read.
- Leaving names and dates unchecked until after approval.
Good occasions for a custom tee
Birthdays, family reunions, leaving parties, club nights, charity challenges, company away days and school-leaver messages all work well, because the tee becomes a keepsake as well as clothing. If you are printing for a group, a consistent design with a different name on each shirt is often the neatest solution.
Can I order a single T-shirt for a gift?
Yes. There is no minimum order, and a single shirt follows the same process, including a proof before printing.
What if I do not know which colour to pick?
Describe the design, the person and the occasion, and we will suggest shirt colours that make the artwork stand out.
We reply personally, within 2 minutes