Comparing Indianapolis shops on price alone is the most common mistake people make, mostly because it's the easiest number to get. It's also the least useful one to start with, because two quotes for "the same order" often aren't actually comparable.
Start with method fit, not price
A screen printing specialist quoting your 8-shirt order and a DTF specialist quoting the same order aren't really competing on price — they're using different tools that have completely different cost curves. Figure out which method actually fits your quantity and artwork first; the price comparison only makes sense between shops offering the same method.
Ask about their specialty, not their menu
Almost every shop in the metro lists screen printing, embroidery, and DTF on their website because the equipment exists to offer all three. That doesn't mean all three are equally good at that shop. Ask directly: "what do you run the most of?" A shop's actual production mix tells you more than their service list.
Turnaround claims need a specific date, not a range
"5-10 business days" is a fine general answer, but before you commit, ask for an actual calendar date tied to your order. Shops get backed up around graduation season, back-to-school, and the holidays — a generic turnaround estimate given in October may not hold in May.
Reorders reveal more than first orders
If this is likely to be a recurring order (a team, a company, an annual event), ask specifically how the shop handles reorders — do they keep your digitized file and screens on hand, and for how long? A shop that treats every order as a fresh setup will cost you more over time than one built around repeat business.