The 5-Shirt Solution: Professional Look for Micro Businesses

Just starting out? Got 2 employees? Here’s why ordering 24 shirts is stupid and how to look professional without warehouse inventory. Call Nick at (812) 537-3461 – we actually understand small business.

Last week, a woman starting a cleaning service called me. “Everyone wants me to order 24 shirts minimum. I have 3 employees including myself. What am I supposed to do with 21 extra shirts?”

Exactly. The print industry is broken when it comes to actual small businesses.

Here’s what we did: 5 shirts total. Three for the crew, two extras for when one’s in the wash. Simple. Logical. What she actually needed.

The Minimum Order Scam

You know why most places have 24-piece minimums? Because they don’t actually want your business. They want easy, big orders that require zero thought.

Meanwhile, you’re trying to look professional on a startup budget, and everyone’s telling you to buy inventory you don’t need.

It’s like a restaurant forcing you to order 24 burgers because that’s how many fit on their grill.

Our small business bundle exists because this problem pissed me off.

Real Small Businesses We’ve Helped Launch

The Handyman (1 person):

• Ordered: 3 polos, 2 t-shirts
• Cost: Under $100
• Result: Looks established, gets better jobs
• Now: Orders quarterly as he grows

The Dog Walking Service (2 people):

• Ordered: 4 t-shirts, 2 hoodies
• Cost: Around $150
• Result: Clients trust them with house keys
• Now: 6 employees, regular orders

The Food Truck (3 people):

• Ordered: 6 t-shirts, 3 aprons
• Cost: Around $180
• Result: Cohesive brand at events
• Now: Catering side needs polos too

Why 5 Shirts Makes Perfect Sense

Here’s the math nobody talks about:

• You wear a shirt
• One’s in the wash
• One’s the backup
• Maybe one for that part-time helper
• One extra because life happens

That’s 5. Not 24. Not 12. Five.

And when you grow? Order more. Revolutionary concept, right?

Greendale businesses get this – start small, grow smart.

The Hidden Costs of Over-Ordering

That cleaning service owner? Another printer quoted her 24 shirts at $8 each. “Great deal!” they said. But:

• 24 shirts × $8 = $192
• Storage space for 21 extra shirts
• Wrong sizes for future employees
• Design gets dated before you use them
• Cash tied up in inventory

Our way:

• 5 shirts × $15 = $75
• No storage needed
• Order exact sizes when hiring
• Update design anytime
• Cash stays in your business

Which makes more sense for a startup?

Quality Still Matters (Even at 5 Pieces)

Here’s what pisses me off – some places give you garbage quality on small orders. Like you don’t deserve nice shirts because you’re small.

Bullshit. Your 5-shirt order gets the same quality as someone ordering 500:

• Same premium blanks
• Same printing quality
• Same attention to detail
• Same guarantee

Why? Because today’s 5-shirt customer is tomorrow’s 50-shirt customer. If we treat you right.

The Growth Path That Works

Here’s how our micro-business customers typically grow:

1. Launch: 5 basic shirts to look professional
2. 3 months: Add polos for client meetings
3. 6 months: Seasonal gear (hoodies/hats)
4. Year 1: First new hire needs shirts
5. Year 2: Regular quarterly orders

Natural growth. No forced inventory. No wasted money.

Contractors especially love this approach – test before you invest.

What About Pricing?

Let’s be real. Small quantities cost more per piece. But look at total investment:

Perfect For These Businesses

• Startups testing the market
• Sole proprietors going legit
• Micro teams (1-5 people)
• Seasonal businesses
• Side hustles turning real
• Anyone sick of minimum BS

P.S. – That cleaning service? Just placed their third order. Now they need 8 shirts because they’re growing. See how that works? Start where you are, not where someone else thinks you should be.