ABC Tees in Baltimore: Custom Screen Printing for Small Orders and Retail Blanks
ABC Tees is a screen printing shop and blank t-shirt retailer in Baltimore that handles both custom orders for individuals and small businesses and sells unprinted apparel by the piece or bulk. The operation sits between full-service print shops that require large minimums and DIY heat-transfer alternatives, serving customers who need one-off designs, small batch runs, or just need a reliable supply of quality blanks.
What ABC Tees actually is
ABC Tees functions as both a print-for-hire shop and a walk-in retail location for blank apparel. The business accepts custom screen printing orders at lower minimums than traditional commercial print houses, making it accessible for personal projects, small nonprofits, and startup clothing lines. At the same time, it stocks inventory of unprinted t-shirts, hoodies, tanks, and related blanks that customers can buy off the shelf. This dual model means a customer might come in to order 12 printed shirts for a family reunion and leave with a handful of blanks for another purpose.
Custom printing services and pricing
ABC Tees charges by design complexity and order size. A single-color design on a standard t-shirt runs approximately $8 to $12 per shirt for orders of 12 or fewer; larger runs (25 to 50 pieces) drop to $6 to $10 per shirt. Multi-color designs cost more, typically adding $2 to $4 per color per shirt. Setup fees for new designs range from $25 to $50 depending on the artwork. Rush orders are available at a 25 to 50 percent premium; confirm current turnaround times and rush pricing when you call, as these shift with seasonal demand.
The shop can print on cotton, cotton-blend, and performance fabrics. Most orders take five to seven business days for standard service. Customer-supplied garments (bring-your-own blank) are also accepted, though pricing reflects the shop's labor only.
Blank apparel retail
ABC Tees stocks popular blank brands and cuts. Hanes, Gildan, and Bella+Canvas basics are available by individual piece, eliminating the need to buy a 24-pack elsewhere if you only need two shirts. Pricing for retail blanks is competitive with online bulk retailers for single-shirt purchases: a standard Hanes beefy t-shirt runs $4 to $6, while Bella+Canvas premium blanks are $7 to $10. Hoodies and long-sleeves cost slightly more. The physical inventory allows you to feel fabric weight and fit before buying, which matters if you are printing something and want to see how the blank drapes.
How ABC Tees compares to other Baltimore printing options
Baltimore Print House, located in Canton, operates as a higher-volume commercial print shop with a 25-piece minimum for most custom work and steeper setup fees ($75 to $150). It suits businesses ordering branded merchandise in volume and emphasizes speed and quality for large runs. ABC Tees is the better choice for one-off designs, nonprofit events, or small batches under 50 pieces where Baltimore Print House's minimums and fees become less economical.
Online custom print-on-demand services (Printful, Bonfire, CustomInk) require no setup fees and have no minimum order, but pricing per shirt is higher (typically $12 to $18 for a single-color design), and you sacrifice same-week turnaround and the ability to inspect the blank and print in person before paying. ABC Tees wins if you want five to 20 shirts, need them quickly, and want to control every detail.
Local DIY screen printing spaces like Charm City Artspace offer equipment access and instruction but require you to do the work yourself; this suits hobbyists and artists but not someone who wants a finished product with minimal effort. ABC Tees is for people who want the end result without the learning curve.
Who it suits and who it does not
ABC Tees is ideal for small nonprofits organizing fundraiser t-shirt sales, families coordinating reunion merchandise, individuals wanting a single custom shirt as a gift, small clothing brands testing designs before committing to larger production, and anyone needing quality blanks without bulk purchase minimums. The low minimums and fast turnaround make it practical for last-minute orders.
It does not suit businesses needing 500 or more pieces printed (cost per unit will be better elsewhere) or customers seeking advanced embroidery, specialty finishes like metallic ink, or dye sublimation. Those needs require a larger commercial operation.
What the first visit involves
Walk in with your artwork (or a clear description of what you want) and the garment color and size preferences. The staff will discuss design placement, color options, and turnaround. If your artwork needs cleaning up or resizing for screen printing, they can do that and will quote you. For blank purchases, browse the wall stock, ask for specific sizes or styles not on display, and pay at the counter. Custom order customers receive a quote and can usually leave a deposit to secure the job.
Hours, parking, and logistics
ABC Tees operates Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sundays. Street parking is available on the block; confirm current hours before a Saturday visit, as holiday adjustments occur. The shop is accessible and does not require an appointment for retail purchases or design consultations, though calling ahead with a custom order ensures the staff can give your project the time it needs.
ABC Tees fills a practical gap in Baltimore's printing landscape, offering speed and flexibility that big shops do not and lower prices than on-demand services, making it a reliable resource for anyone between a t-shirt vending machine and a corporate bulk printer.
