Rush Order Tees vs T-Shirt Elephant: Canadian Custom T-Shirt Comparison 2026

Introduction

We've been in the custom apparel business since 2012, and we're frequently asked how we compare to Rush Order Tees, a well-known US-based custom t-shirt printer. As a Canadian company with 14+ years of experience and over 75 employees, we understand the unique challenges Canadian customers face when ordering custom apparel.

Rush Order Tees is a reputable US company founded in 2002 with over 1,000,000 customers served and 24 years of experience. They're known for quality screen printing, fast turnaround times, and excellent customer service. However, Canadian customers ordering from US-based printers face additional considerations including customs duties, currency conversion, and cross-border shipping delays.

This honest comparison examines both companies across key factors including pricing, product selection, printing quality, turnaround times, and the specific challenges Canadian customers encounter. Having printed over 5 million garments across 6 printing methods, we'll provide an expert perspective on which option may work best for different Canadian customer needs.

Company Overview Comparison

Understanding each company's background helps explain their strengths and focus areas. Both companies have substantial experience in the custom apparel industry, but serve different markets and have different operational considerations for Canadian customers.

Rush Order Tees Background

Rush Order Tees started in 2002 when CEO Mike Nemeroff and his siblings began screen printing in their garage while still in high school. Over 24 years, they've grown into one of the largest custom apparel companies in the United States, operating from a massive facility in Philadelphia. They've built their reputation on fast turnaround times and have served everyone from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses.

T-Shirt Elephant Background

We founded T-Shirt Elephant in 2012 in Toronto, specifically to serve Canadian customers who were frustrated with limited domestic options and the complications of ordering custom apparel from US companies. Having grown to over 75 employees and 6 printing methods, we've focused on solving the unique challenges Canadian customers face—from sizing preferences to shipping complexities.

Our Toronto-based operation allows us to offer same-province shipping to Ontario customers and faster delivery across Canada. We understand Canadian business practices, payment preferences (including net terms for corporate customers), and the regulatory requirements for custom apparel in different provinces.

Product Selection & Brand Availability

Both companies offer extensive product catalogues, but there are important differences in brand availability, sizing, and product focus that affect Canadian customers differently.

Canadian Sizing Preferences

One often-overlooked factor is sizing preferences. Canadian customers frequently prefer fitted cuts and Canadian sizing standards, which can differ from US preferences. We've found that Canadian men often prefer slimmer fits (Next Level, American Apparel), while Canadian women tend to favour the Bella+Canvas line.

Our product selection is curated specifically for Canadian preferences, with particular strength in premium athletic brands that are popular in Canadian corporate and team markets.

Printing Methods & Capabilities

Both companies offer multiple printing methods, but there are important differences in capabilities, minimum orders, and specialization areas.

Screen Printing Quality

Both companies excel at screen printing, which remains the gold standard for bulk orders due to durability and cost-effectiveness. Our Toronto operation uses the same high-quality inks and processes, but we've optimized our setup for Canadian order patterns. We find Canadian customers often prefer smaller batch sizes (24-100 pieces) compared to typical US bulk orders (500+).

Pricing Comparison for Canadian Customers

Pricing becomes complex when comparing US and Canadian suppliers due to currency conversion, customs duties, and tax implications. Here's a breakdown of the real costs Canadian customers can expect:

Hidden Costs for Canadian Customers

When ordering from Rush Order Tees, Canadian customers must factor in several additional costs that aren't immediately apparent:

• Currency conversion: Current USD to CAD exchange rates (typically 1.25-1.35x)
• Customs duties: 13-18% depending on product classification and province
• Brokerage fees: $15-50 depending on shipping method and value
• HST/GST: Applied to the total value including duties (another 5-15%)
• Credit card foreign transaction fees: Typically 2.5% additional

Real-World Example: 48 Custom T-Shirts with 2-Colour Screen Printing

Canadian Cross-Border Considerations

Ordering custom apparel from the US involves complexities that go beyond simple pricing. As a Canadian business ourselves, we understand these challenges from both customer and supplier perspectives.

Customs and Duty Implications

Currency and Payment Challenges

US-based suppliers present several payment-related challenges for Canadian customers:

• Exchange rate volatility: CAD/USD rates can fluctuate 5-10% during the time between quote and payment
• Foreign transaction fees: Most Canadian credit cards charge 2.5% for US dollar transactions
• Business account complications: Canadian net-30 terms aren't available from US suppliers
• Tax receipt issues: US suppliers can't provide proper Canadian tax documentation for business expense claims

Shipping and Logistics Comparison

Quality Standards & Turnaround Times

Both companies maintain high quality standards, but delivery timelines and quality consistency can be affected by different factors for Canadian customers.

Print Quality and Durability

Rush Order Tees has 24 years of experience and uses professional-grade equipment and inks. Their screen printing quality is excellent, and they've refined their processes over decades.

Our quality standards match industry best practices, using the same premium inks, equipment, and techniques as major US operations. Having printed over 5 million garments, we've optimized our processes for consistency across all order sizes. We use water-based inks for soft-hand prints and plastisol for durability, depending on customer requirements.

Timeline Comparison for Canadian Customers

Who Should Choose Which Option

Both Rush Order Tees and T-Shirt Elephant serve the custom apparel market well, but different customer needs and circumstances make one option more suitable than the other.

Industry-Specific Recommendations

Schools and Educational Institutions

Canadian schools should typically choose T-Shirt Elephant due to understanding of Canadian educational purchasing processes, compliance with provincial regulations for student apparel, and budget predictability for education funding requirements.

Corporate and Business Clients

Canadian businesses benefit from domestic suppliers through proper Canadian tax documentation for expense claims, net-30 payment terms that align with business cash flow, and reliable delivery timelines for corporate events.

Sports Teams and Leagues

Team orders often work better with T-Shirt Elephant because of faster delivery for season-start deadlines, better premium athletic brand access, and understanding of Canadian sports league requirements.