Updated October 25, 2026, from each company's own published pages (sources below). We're Shirt52, a local print shop in Tempe, AZ, so we've included our numbers too.
The Short Answer
Custom Ink and Rush Order Tees are both large online printers with no setup fees and free standard shipping. Rush Order Tees has no minimum on printed tees and a faster standard delivery window. Custom Ink publishes clearer rush pricing and a wide product catalog. On price they land in a similar range for typical 24 to 50 shirt orders.
Side by Side
| Custom Ink | Rush Order Tees | Shirt52 (local, Tempe AZ) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 on many products; screen print minimums vary by product | No minimum on printed tees; 6 on embroidered items | 12 per design, color and style |
| Setup / screen fees | None ("all inclusive") | None ("no hidden setup fees, screen fees, or art optimization fees") | None |
| Standard delivery | About 2 weeks, free | 9–12 business days, free | 10 business days from payment; free pickup or shipping |
| Rush | 1 week (+15%) or 3 days (+30%) | As little as 2 business days (surcharge not published) | 5 or 3 business days, added charge |
| Small orders printed | Digitally | "HD Digital" under about 15 shirts per ink color | Digitally (DTF) under 96 pieces |
| How you get a price | Online design tool or quote form | Online quote calculator | Online builder or text us; exact price in minutes |
| Art help | Mostly self-serve | Mostly self-serve | We check and clean up your art; you approve a mockup |
Published Prices
| Price | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Ink | $10–$16 a shirt at 12–24 (screen print, 1–2 colors); $9–$14 (digital); $5–$10 at 48–72 | Ranges from Custom Ink's own pricing guide; shipping included |
| Rush Order Tees | $10.83 each at 50 (Gildan G500) | Catalog price; the page doesn't state colors or locations |
| Shirt52 | $12.99 each at 24; $12.34 at 48 (Gildan 5000, one location, any colors, S–XL) | Live price builder; pickup in Tempe is free |
Exact prices at Custom Ink and Rush Order Tees depend on your quantity, ink colors and ZIP code in their quote tools, so get a real quote from each before you decide. Our full four-way breakdown, including Vistaprint, is in Custom T-Shirt Prices Compared.
Which One Should You Pick?
- Pick Rush Order Tees if you need a handful of printed tees with no minimum, or a very fast rush.
- Pick Custom Ink if you want to design in a browser, need a predictable rush surcharge, or want to order 1 piece of a product that allows it.
- Pick a local shop if you want a person to check your art, a real mockup before anything prints, pickup in person, or easy reorders for a business. In the Phoenix area, that's us: get a price.
Sources (read October 25, 2026)
- Custom Ink: customink.com/blog/how-to-get-cheap-custom-t-shirts/, customink.com/quotes, customink.com help center
- Rush Order Tees: rushordertees.com/color-shirts, rushordertees.com/services/screen-printing/, rushordertees.com/catalog/gildan/heavy-cotton-mens-t-shirt/
- Shirt52: shirt52.com live price builder