Entripy vs T-Shirt Elephant: Complete Canadian Custom Apparel Comparison

Introduction: Two Canadian Custom Apparel Leaders

When searching for custom apparel in Canada, two names consistently stand out: Entripy and T-Shirt Elephant. Both are proudly Canadian companies with strong reputations, but they serve the market in distinctly different ways.

As the T-Shirt Elephant team, we've been in the custom apparel business since 2012. Having printed over 5 million garments across 6 different printing methods, we've seen the industry evolve and understand what makes each company unique. This comparison aims to provide you with an honest, detailed analysis to help you choose the right partner for your custom apparel needs.

Company Overview & History

Understanding each company's background helps explain their current strengths and market positioning.

Entripy's Story: From Basement to 40,000 Sq Ft

Entripy's origin story is quintessentially Canadian entrepreneurial spirit. When Jas Brar was a University of Toronto student in 1999, he identified a gap in the market for quality custom apparel with excellent customer service. What started as buying t-shirts wholesale and selling them to fellow students evolved into a sophisticated operation.

The early days were humble but resourceful. Brar started screen printing in his parents' basement in Oakville, Ontario, and famously used his family's pizza delivery van to deliver custom t-shirt orders instead of pizzas. This hands-on approach and dedication to customer service became the foundation of Entripy's business philosophy.

Over 27 years, Entripy has grown strategically, always maintaining their focus on corporate and organizational clients. Their 2025 move to a new 40,000 square foot facility represents their commitment to cutting-edge technology and in-house production capabilities.

T-Shirt Elephant's Approach: Accessibility and Variety

T-Shirt Elephant was founded in 2012 with a different vision: making custom apparel accessible to everyone, from individuals ordering a single shirt to corporations ordering thousands. Our approach has always been about removing barriers – no minimum orders, transparent pricing, and offering the widest possible selection of products and brands.

Since 2012, we've grown to employ over 75 people and serve customers across Canada. We've printed over 5 million garments using 6 different printing methods, giving us extensive experience with diverse customer needs and project requirements. Our 780+ products from 89+ brands represent one of the most comprehensive selections in the Canadian market.

Our 4.8-star rating from over 1,500 Google reviews reflects our commitment to customer satisfaction across all order sizes, from single custom shirts for personal use to large corporate accounts.

Product Selection & Brand Variety

Product selection is often the deciding factor when choosing a custom apparel provider. Both companies offer quality options, but their approaches to product curation differ significantly.

T-Shirt Elephant: Comprehensive Selection Strategy

With 780+ products from 89+ brands, T-Shirt Elephant offers one of Canada's most extensive custom apparel selections. Our strategy focuses on providing options across all price points and quality levels, from budget-conscious choices to premium athletic wear.

Premium Brands Available:

• Nike - Athletic wear and lifestyle apparel
• Adidas - Performance and casual wear
• Under Armour - Performance athletic apparel
• Champion - Classic athletic and lifestyle wear
• Bella+Canvas - Premium fashion-forward basics
• Next Level - Modern fit casual wear
• Gildan - Value-oriented staples
• American Apparel - Fashion-forward designs

Entripy: Curated Corporate Focus

Entripy takes a more curated approach, focusing on brands and products that serve their corporate and organizational clientele effectively. While their selection is smaller than T-Shirt Elephant's, it's strategically chosen for bulk orders and professional applications.

Entripy's Key Brands:

• Gildan - Industry standard for corporate orders
• Stormtech - Premium outerwear and technical wear
• Athletic Knit - Sports uniforms and athletic wear
• Champion - Athletic and lifestyle apparel
• Next Level - Modern fit options
• Bella+Canvas - Premium fashion basics
• Core 365 - Corporate and team wear
• Team 365 - Sports and team apparel
• Columbia - Outdoor and technical apparel
• FlexFit - Premium headwear

Printing Methods & Capabilities

The printing methods available can significantly impact the cost, quality, and durability of your custom apparel. Both companies offer multiple options, but with different specializations and capabilities.

T-Shirt Elephant: Six Printing Methods

We offer the most comprehensive range of printing methods in Canada, allowing us to match the right technique to each project's specific requirements:

1. Screen Printing

• Best for bulk orders (12+ pieces typically most cost-effective)
• Superior durability and wash fastness
• Vibrant colours and solid coverage
• Most economical for large quantities
• Multiple colour capabilities

2. DTG (Direct-to-Garment)

• Perfect for detailed designs and photographs
• No setup costs - ideal for small quantities
• Unlimited colours and gradients
• Soft hand feel
• Great for individual orders

3. DTF (Direct-to-Film)

• Works on all fabric types and colours
• Excellent durability
• Bright, vibrant colours
• Good for small to medium runs
• Efficient production process

4. Embroidery

• Premium professional appearance
• Extremely durable
• Perfect for corporate branding
• Available on all garment types
• Multiple thread colours and effects

5. Sublimation

• Full-colour, all-over printing
• Permanent ink integration
• Perfect for polyester athletic wear
• Ideal for sportswear and active wear
• Unlimited design complexity

6. Heat Transfer

• Quick turnaround option
• Good for simple designs
• Cost-effective for small runs
• Multiple material options
• Specialty finishes available

Entripy: Three Core Methods with In-House Excellence

Entripy focuses on three primary printing methods, all done in-house at their 40,000 square foot Oakville facility:

Screen Printing - Entripy's expertise in screen printing is evident in their ability to handle large corporate orders with consistent quality. Their investment in modern screen printing equipment allows them to produce millions of units annually for their corporate clients.

Digital Printing - Their digital printing capabilities handle smaller runs and detailed designs effectively, with quality controls that meet corporate branding standards.

Embroidery - Entripy's embroidery services are particularly strong for corporate apparel, with the capability to handle complex logos and maintain consistency across large orders.

Pricing Structure & Value Analysis

Pricing structures between Entripy and T-Shirt Elephant reflect their different target markets and business models. Understanding these differences is crucial for budgeting your custom apparel project.

T-Shirt Elephant: Transparent, No-Minimum Pricing

Our pricing philosophy centers on accessibility and transparency. We publish starting prices and offer instant online quotes through our design tool.

Starting Prices (Screen Printing):

• Basic t-shirts: From $8.99 per piece
• Premium t-shirts: From $12.99 per piece
• Hoodies: From $24.99 per piece
• Polo shirts: From $18.99 per piece
• No setup fees for standard screen printing
• Volume discounts available at 24, 48, 96, 144+ pieces

Entripy: Corporate-Focused Pricing Model

Entripy's pricing structure is designed for their corporate and organizational clientele, with emphasis on bulk orders and custom quoting.

Who Should Choose Which Company?

The decision between Entripy and T-Shirt Elephant often comes down to your specific needs, order patterns, and business style. Here's our honest assessment of when each company is the better choice.

Choose T-Shirt Elephant If You Need:

Choose Entripy If You Need:

Final Verdict: Making the Right Choice

After our comprehensive analysis of both companies, it's clear that Entripy and T-Shirt Elephant serve the Canadian custom apparel market effectively, but with different strengths and approaches.

Choose T-Shirt Elephant if: You value product variety, brand selection, pricing transparency, or need flexibility in order sizes. Our no-minimum policy and 780+ product selection make us ideal for individuals, small businesses, and companies that need diverse apparel options.

Choose Entripy if: You're a large organization that values long-term corporate relationships, need ultra-fast turnaround options, or require specialized consultation for complex corporate apparel programs. Their 27-year corporate focus offers advantages for established organizational buyers.