Custom T-Shirts - Rush Orders Available

The crew neck t-shirt is the foundation of custom apparel in Canada. Its classic round neckline works for every occasion — from corporate team-building events to charity fun runs and branded merchandise. We carry dozens of crew neck styles, but three consistently rise to the top.

The Gildan 5000 is Canada's best-selling custom t-shirt blank for good reason: it is affordable, available in 60+ colours, and durable enough for workwear and giveaways alike. Read our in-depth Gildan 5000 review for full details.

If you want a more modern, fitted silhouette, the Gildan 6400 Softstyle delivers a slimmer cut with a softer hand-feel at a modest price bump. It is a favourite for retail-quality branded merch and event giveaways where comfort matters.

For the ultimate in softness and style, the Bella+Canvas 3001C is a lightweight 4.2 oz ringspun cotton tee with a retail-ready drape. Check out our Bella+Canvas 3001 review for a complete breakdown. Browse our full short-sleeve t-shirt collection to explore every crew neck option we carry.

Custom v-neck t-shirts offer a polished alternative to the traditional crew neck. The tapered neckline elongates the torso and adds a touch of sophistication, making v-necks a popular choice for hospitality staff, salon uniforms, branded retail merchandise, and fashion-forward event tees across Canada.

V-necks are available from all the major brands we stock, including Gildan, Bella+Canvas, and Next Level. They come in both men's and women's cuts, with women's styles featuring a slightly deeper v and more contoured side seams for a flattering fit.

When decorating v-neck t-shirts, placement matters. A centred chest print should sit slightly lower than on a crew neck to account for the neckline. Left-chest logos and embroidered crests and embroidered t-shirts work exceptionally well on v-necks because the open neckline draws the eye toward the design. For full-front graphics, we recommend keeping artwork at least 3 inches below the lowest point of the v.

V-neck tees pair perfectly with screen printing and DTG printing for detailed, colourful artwork. They are also a top pick for restaurants, spas, and retail brands that want their staff uniforms to look elevated without the cost of a polo or button-down.

Browse our full v-neck t-shirt collection to compare fabrics, colours, and price points. Not sure whether a v-neck or crew neck is right for your project? Our how to choose the right t-shirt blank guide walks you through every consideration.

Custom long sleeve t-shirts are a Canadian staple. With cooler temperatures for much of the year, a long sleeve tee bridges the gap between a standard t-shirt and a full sweatshirt — providing comfortable coverage without the bulk. They are ideal for spring and fall events, outdoor work crews, and layering under jackets during Canadian winters.

Our best-selling long sleeve option is the Gildan 2400, a 6.0 oz ultra cotton long sleeve t-shirt starting at just $7.95 CAD. It offers the same rugged durability and generous colour palette as the Gildan 5000, extended to a full-length sleeve for additional warmth and sun protection.

For athletic and performance applications, the ATC S350 performance tee is also available in a long sleeve variant. Its moisture-wicking polyester fabric keeps wearers dry during outdoor training, running events, and active work environments where breathability is critical even with full arm coverage.

Long sleeve t-shirts accept all decoration methods and open up additional print locations — sleeve prints, forearm graphics, and wrist-to-shoulder designs are all popular options that are not possible on short-sleeve tees. Many customers add a small logo on the front chest and a larger design running down one or both sleeves.

Explore our complete long sleeve t-shirt catalogue to find the right weight, fabric, and price for your next project. For guidance on pricing by decoration method, check our pricing section below.

A heavyweight t-shirt — generally classified as 5.3 oz and above — delivers a substantial, structured feel that lighter tees simply cannot match. These are the workhorses of the custom t-shirt world: tough enough for construction crews, thick enough to mask screen printing ink show-through, and comfortable enough for all-day wear.

The Gildan 5000 at 5.3 oz is the benchmark heavyweight t-shirt in Canada. Starting from just $4.95 CAD, it offers unbeatable value for bulk and wholesale orders. Its preshrunk cotton construction minimises shrinkage, and its generous, relaxed fit accommodates a wide range of body types. Our Gildan 5000 review covers fabric, fit, and print performance in detail.

Heavyweight tees are the preferred canvas for screen printing because the thick fabric provides a smooth, stable surface that absorbs ink cleanly. You get crisp lines, saturated colours, and minimal bleed-through on the inside of the garment — a common issue with lighter-weight blanks.

Beyond the Gildan 5000, we also stock Comfort Colors 1717 (6.1 oz, garment-dyed for a vintage wash look), the Gildan 2000 Ultra Cotton at 6.0 oz for $5.25, and the Gildan 8000 Ultra Blend at 5.6 oz for $4.65 — a cotton-polyester blend that resists wrinkles and shrinkage.

If you are outfitting a work crew, volunteer team, or sports league and need a shirt that can handle repeated washing and hard use, heavyweight t-shirts are the clear choice. Browse our full t-shirt collection and filter by fabric weight to find the perfect blank.

Lightweight t-shirts (under 5 oz) have surged in popularity across Canada as consumers increasingly expect custom apparel to feel as soft and well-fitting as their favourite retail brands. These blanks use ringspun cotton, combed fibres, and blended fabrics to achieve a buttery-soft hand-feel with a modern, slightly tapered silhouette.

The standout in this category is the Bella+Canvas 3001C at 4.2 oz. Starting from $8.95 CAD, it uses 100% combed and ringspun cotton with a side-seamed construction that eliminates the torque common in tubular-knit tees. The result is a shirt that drapes beautifully, holds its shape, and feels premium from the first wear. Read our Bella+Canvas 3001 review for a thorough analysis.

Another popular lightweight option is the Next Level 3600, a 4.3 oz cotton tee with a slim, modern fit and a tear-away label for easy rebranding. It is a top pick for e-commerce brands, pop-up shops, and music merchandise where the garment itself is part of the product experience.

The Gildan 6400 Softstyle at 4.5 oz splits the difference between lightweight softness and midweight durability, making it an excellent compromise when you want retail-quality feel without the premium price of Bella+Canvas.

Lightweight tees are ideal for DTG printing and DTF transfers, where the soft fabric pairs naturally with soft-hand-feel inks. For screen printing, we recommend using water-based or discharge inks to maintain that featherlight feel. Explore our t-shirt blank selection guide to compare weights, fabrics, and fits side by side.

Women's custom t-shirts are designed with contoured side seams, slightly shorter body lengths, and narrower shoulders to create a flattering, feminine fit. At T-Shirt Elephant, we stock a wide range of ladies' blanks from Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and ATC so you can find the right silhouette for every body type.

The most popular women's styles include crew neck, v-neck, and scoop neck options in both heavyweight and lightweight fabrics. Gildan's ladies' heavy cotton tee mirrors the durability of the Gildan 5000 with a tailored cut, while Bella+Canvas offers relaxed-fit and cropped options for a more contemporary look.

Sizing is one of the most important considerations for women's custom t-shirts. Ladies' sizes typically run smaller than unisex equivalents — a women's large is roughly equivalent to a unisex medium. We strongly recommend ordering samples or consulting our sizing guide before placing a large order to ensure the fit meets your team's expectations.

For mixed-gender orders, many Canadian organisations choose unisex styles like the Bella+Canvas 3001C alongside dedicated ladies' cuts for those who prefer a fitted option. This approach lets everyone choose the fit they are most comfortable in without compromising on a cohesive look.

Women's tees accept all decoration methods including screen printing, DTG, DTF, and embroidery. Print placement may need slight adjustment compared to unisex styles — our design team handles this automatically during prepress. Browse our full women's t-shirt collection to see every style and colour we offer.

Youth custom t-shirts are sized specifically for children and teenagers, with proportionally shorter body lengths, narrower shoulders, and smaller armholes than adult blanks. They are essential for school spirit wear, summer camp programmes, sports leagues, birthday parties, and family reunion tees across Canada.

Our top recommendation for kids' custom t-shirts is the Gildan 500B, starting at just $4.95 CAD. It is the youth counterpart to the iconic Gildan 5000, offering the same 5.3 oz heavy cotton construction, preshrunk fabric, and wide colour range scaled down for smaller frames. Available in sizes XS through XL youth, it covers ages roughly 4 to 16.

When ordering youth custom t-shirts, keep these tips in mind. First, size up when in doubt — kids grow quickly, and a slightly larger shirt will last longer. Second, consider ordering a mix of youth and adult smalls to cover the overlap zone for older teenagers. Third, check that your design scales well at a smaller print size, as youth prints are typically reduced by 20–30% compared to adult layouts.

Youth tees are compatible with all decoration methods. Screen printing is the most common choice for school and camp orders of 24 or more, while DTG and DTF are great for smaller runs with complex, multicolour artwork. Embroidered left-chest logos work well for school uniforms and club tees.

Safety and comfort matter for young wearers. All our youth blanks use CPSIA-compliant fabrics and inks, and tagless or tear-away labels reduce irritation for sensitive skin. Explore the full youth t-shirt collection to find the right style for your school, team, or event.

Performance t-shirts are engineered for movement, moisture management, and breathability. Made from 100% polyester or poly-blend fabrics with wicking technology, they pull sweat away from the skin and dry rapidly — making them the go-to choice for sports teams, gyms, running events, outdoor crews, and athletic programmes across Canada.

Our most popular performance tee is the ATC S350, starting at $5.95 CAD. This Canadian-market staple features a 100% polyester moisture-wicking construction, a tag-free neck label, and a modern athletic fit. It is available in a solid range of team-friendly colours and is priced competitively for league and tournament orders.

Decorating performance fabrics requires specific techniques. Traditional screen printing with plastisol inks can sit on top of polyester and may crack over time, so we recommend DTF transfers or specialised poly-safe screen printing inks for performance tees. DTF bonds exceptionally well to polyester and produces vibrant, flexible prints that move with the fabric. Embroidery also works well for chest logos and does not interfere with the fabric's wicking properties.

For sports leagues, corporate wellness programmes, and charity runs, performance t-shirts communicate professionalism and provide genuine functional benefit. Many of our Canadian customers order performance tees for their outdoor summer events and switch to long sleeve versions for fall and spring seasons.

A key consideration with polyester performance tees is dye migration — the tendency for fabric dye to bleed into light-coloured prints during heat application. Our production team manages this by using migration-resistant inks and appropriate curing temperatures. Browse our full performance t-shirt collection to find the right athletic blank for your team or event.

Choosing the right t-shirt brand is just as important as choosing the right decoration method. Each brand has a distinct fit, fabric feel, and price point. Here is how the most popular custom t-shirt brands in Canada compare.

Gildan is the undisputed volume leader. With styles like the 5000 Heavy Cotton ($4.95), 2000 Ultra Cotton ($5.25), 6400 Softstyle ($5.75), and 8000 Ultra Blend ($4.65), Gildan offers something for every budget. Their massive colour library and consistent Canadian availability make them a reliable default. Read our Gildan 5000 review for a deep dive.

Bella+Canvas targets the premium segment with retail-quality blanks like the 3001C ($8.95). Their focus on lightweight, ringspun cotton fabrics and modern fits makes them the preferred choice for fashion brands, e-commerce stores, and anyone who wants their custom tees to feel like something you would buy at a boutique. See our Bella+Canvas 3001 review.

Next Level is Bella+Canvas's closest competitor, offering similar softness and fit at a slightly different price point. Their 3600 CVC tee and 6210 crew are especially popular among Canadian print shops for retail-quality work.

Comfort Colors specialises in garment-dyed t-shirts with a lived-in, vintage aesthetic. Their 1717 (6.1 oz) is a favourite for heavyweight, pre-washed tees with unique, earthy colour options you will not find from other brands.

ATC (Authentic T-Shirt Company) is a Canadian brand offering excellent value across cotton and performance categories. The ATC S350 at $5.95 is hard to beat for athletic tees. Champion rounds out the lineup with heritage-inspired blanks that carry strong brand recognition. Use our t-shirt blank selection guide to narrow down the best brand for your project.

Custom t-shirts are the most versatile branded product in Canada, and we print them for an incredibly diverse range of customers. Here are the groups that order from T-Shirt Elephant most frequently.

Small businesses and startups use custom t-shirts for staff uniforms, trade show giveaways, customer appreciation gifts, and branded merchandise for online stores. A well-designed tee turns every employee and customer into a walking billboard. We recommend the Gildan 5000 for budget-friendly staff tees and the Bella+Canvas 3001C for retail-quality merchandise.

Sports teams and leagues order custom t-shirts for warm-up gear, spirit wear, tournament souvenirs, and fan merchandise. Performance tees are popular for active wear, while heavyweight cotton tees work well for off-field spirit wear. Youth sizes are essential for minor leagues and school teams.

Schools and universities are among our largest customer segments. Frosh week tees, club shirts, grad class tees, sports teams, and faculty apparel keep custom t-shirt orders flowing throughout the academic year. We handle everything from 24-piece club orders to 2,000+ university-wide campaigns.

Event organisers — from charity runs and music festivals to corporate retreats and family reunions — rely on custom t-shirts to build community and create lasting mementos. Our production timelines guide helps event planners work backward from their event date to ensure on-time delivery.

Non-profits, churches, and community groups also make up a significant portion of our orders. Custom t-shirts are an affordable way to promote a cause, unify volunteers, and raise funds through merchandise sales. See our pricing breakdown and bulk discount options to make the most of your organisation's budget.

Understanding custom t-shirt pricing in Canada starts with three variables: the blank garment cost, the decoration method, and the order quantity. As quantities increase, per-unit costs decrease significantly because setup costs (screens, digitising, film output) are amortised across more shirts.

The table below shows estimated all-in per-shirt pricing (blank + decoration) for a standard one-location print on a mid-range t-shirt blank. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Screen printing becomes the clear value leader at 50+ units because the per-shirt cost drops dramatically once screens are made. DTG has no setup cost, so it is the most economical for very small runs (1–11 shirts). DTF falls between the two and excels on polyester and performance fabrics. Embroidery pricing depends on stitch count rather than colour count, making it predictable for logo-heavy designs.

The blank garment itself also affects pricing. A Gildan 8000 at $4.65 will keep your all-in cost lower than a Bella+Canvas 3001C at $8.95 — but the premium blank may be worth it for retail merchandise. For a comprehensive breakdown of every cost factor, read our custom t-shirt pricing guide.

Bulk custom t-shirts are our bread and butter at T-Shirt Elephant. Whether you need 50 shirts for a company retreat or 5,000 for a national campaign, we offer tiered volume pricing that reduces your per-unit cost as quantities increase. There are no minimum order requirements — but the best value kicks in at 48 units and above.

Our wholesale pricing structure works in tiers. Orders of 48–99 units unlock our first volume break, 100–249 units bring a deeper discount, and 250+ units access our best wholesale rates. For orders over 500, we assign a dedicated account manager who handles quoting, scheduling, and quality checkpoints throughout production.

Bulk orders benefit most from screen printing, where the fixed setup cost is divided across hundreds or thousands of shirts. At 100+ units, the all-in price per shirt — including a quality Gildan 5000 blank and a 2-colour front print — can drop below $10 CAD. See our pricing table for per-unit estimates at common order sizes.

We maintain deep Canadian inventory on all popular blanks, including the Gildan 5000, Gildan 2000, Bella+Canvas 3001C, and ATC S350, so even large orders can ship quickly without cross-border delays. For planning large-run timelines, consult our production timelines guide.

Repeat customers across Canada take advantage of our reorder programme: we keep your screens, embroidery files, and DTF films on file so future orders require zero setup time and reduced turnaround. Whether you are restocking staff uniforms quarterly or printing seasonal merchandise, bulk ordering with T-Shirt Elephant saves you time and money on every run.

Every custom t-shirt that leaves our facility at 18 Raitherm Rd, North York, Ontario passes through a multi-point quality control process. We believe that your custom apparel represents your brand, team, or cause — and it deserves to look flawless.

Our quality control process begins at prepress, where our design team reviews your artwork for resolution, colour accuracy, and proper sizing before any production begins. You receive a digital proof for approval, ensuring the design matches your expectations. During production, our press operators inspect prints at regular intervals for colour consistency, registration alignment, and adhesion quality.

After printing, every t-shirt is individually examined for print defects, fabric flaws, and finishing issues. Garments with any imperfections are pulled from the order and reprinted before packaging. For embroidery orders, we verify stitch density, thread colour accuracy, and backing trim on every piece.

Our redo guarantee is straightforward: if a garment does not meet the specifications of your approved proof, we will reprint or replace it at no additional cost. This applies to colour discrepancies, misaligned prints, incorrect sizing, and any production defects that do not match your approved artwork. We stand behind our work — full stop.

We also care about the details that customers notice after delivery. T-shirts are folded neatly, poly-bagged when requested, and packed in clearly labelled boxes sorted by size and colour. For large bulk orders, we provide packing slips with size breakdowns to make distribution easy. From garment care to print longevity, our goal is to ensure your custom t-shirts look great on day one and after dozens of washes.

Ordering custom t-shirts from a Canadian printer offers meaningful advantages over US-based or overseas alternatives. From faster delivery to simpler pricing, here is why thousands of Canadian organisations choose T-Shirt Elephant for their custom apparel needs.

No cross-border shipping delays or duties. When you order from a US printer, your t-shirts must clear customs at the Canadian border. This adds 3–7 business days to delivery, plus unpredictable duty charges and brokerage fees that can inflate your costs by 15–25%. With T-Shirt Elephant, your order ships domestically from our North York, Ontario facility — no customs, no surprise fees.

Pricing in Canadian dollars. Our quotes, invoices, and payment processing are all in CAD. You will never be caught off guard by exchange rate fluctuations or foreign transaction fees on your credit card. The prices you see are the prices you pay.

Faster turnaround for Canadian destinations. Standard ground shipping reaches most of Ontario in 1–2 business days, Quebec and the Maritimes in 2–4 days, and Western Canada in 4–6 days. Rush delivery options can cut these timelines further. See our production timelines guide for detailed scheduling information.

Local support in your time zone. Our team works Eastern Standard Time and understands the Canadian market — from bilingual labelling requirements to provincial event seasons. You can call, email, or visit our facility in person to review samples and discuss your project.

Supporting the Canadian economy. Every order placed with T-Shirt Elephant supports Canadian jobs, from our print operators and embroidery technicians to our design team and shipping staff. Choosing local is not just convenient — it is an investment in the Canadian small business community.

Proper care extends the life of your custom t-shirts and keeps prints, embroidery, and transfers looking sharp for years. Different decoration methods have slightly different care requirements, but the fundamentals are universal: wash cold, dry low, and turn inside out.

General tips for all custom t-shirts: Always wash similar colours together to prevent dye transfer. Avoid fabric softeners, as they can break down print adhesion over time. If hang-drying, keep shirts out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Fold printed tees rather than hanging them on wire hangers, which can distort the neckline.

For performance and polyester t-shirts, avoid high-heat drying entirely — polyester melts at lower temperatures than cotton, and excessive heat can damage both the fabric and the decoration. Air drying is the safest option for athletic tees.

For a complete breakdown of fabric-specific and method-specific care instructions, visit our custom apparel care guide. Proper care protects your investment and ensures your custom t-shirts represent your brand, team, or organisation proudly for years to come.

Getting the right fit is critical for custom t-shirt orders. Unlike retail shopping, your team or group cannot try on shirts in a fitting room before you place an order. The table below provides chest width, body length, and sleeve length measurements (in inches) for the five most popular t-shirt blanks we print on in Canada.

How to use this chart: Measurements are taken flat across the garment (not doubled). To find your size, measure a t-shirt that fits you well and compare the chest width and body length to the values above. Note that the Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600 run slimmer than the Gildan 5000 and Comfort Colors 1717, so size up if you prefer a relaxed fit.

For women's styles, sizing runs 1–2 inches smaller in the chest and 1 inch shorter in body length compared to the unisex equivalents listed above. Youth sizing follows a separate scale entirely. When in doubt, request a sample garment before committing to a large order — we are happy to send blank samples to anywhere in Canada.

Choosing the right decoration method for your custom t-shirts depends on your design complexity, order size, budget, and the fabric you are printing on. The comparison table below puts every method side by side so you can make an informed decision.

Screen printing dominates for orders of 25+ with 1–4 colours. It is the most cost-effective method at scale and produces the most durable prints available. If your design uses spot colours and you are ordering in bulk, screen printing is almost always the right call.

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) is the best option for photographic artwork, full-colour illustrations, and orders under 24 pieces. There are no screen setup fees, so a single shirt costs the same per unit as 20 shirts. It works best on lightweight cotton blanks in light colours.

DTF (Direct-to-Film) bridges the gap between screen printing and DTG. It handles dark fabrics and polyester performance tees better than DTG, produces vibrant full-colour output, and scales well from 1 to 500 units. It is our recommended method for mixed-fabric orders.

Embroidery is unmatched for premium branding. Stitched logos will outlast the garment itself, and the dimensional texture signals quality. It is the standard for corporate uniforms, business apparel, and any design that needs to convey professionalism. For a deeper analysis, read our screen printing vs embroidery guide.

A great custom t-shirt starts with a great design file. Whether you are working with a graphic designer or creating artwork yourself, following these guidelines will ensure your prints come out clean, vibrant, and exactly as you envisioned.

File formats: For screen printing, provide vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF) whenever possible. Vector artwork scales to any size without losing quality and allows us to colour-separate your design precisely. For DTG and DTF printing, high-resolution raster files (PNG at 300 DPI minimum, with transparent backgrounds) are ideal. JPEG files work but may introduce compression artefacts. Avoid low-resolution files pulled from websites — they will appear blurry and pixelated when printed at full size.

Colour considerations: Screen printing uses Pantone (PMS) spot colours for precise colour matching. Specify your Pantone numbers if brand accuracy matters. DTG and DTF use CMYK colour mixing, which may shift slightly from what you see on your monitor. For critical colour matching, request a physical proof. Remember that ink colours appear differently on dark versus light-coloured t-shirts — a white underbase layer is used on dark garments, which can subtly affect the final colour.

Print placement: Standard placements include full front, full back, left chest, and right sleeve. Full-front prints are typically 12” wide by 14” tall on adult tees. Left-chest logos are usually 3.5” to 4” wide. For v-neck t-shirts, lower the centre-front placement by 1–2 inches. Oversized prints, wraparound designs, and all-over prints are available but require specialised setup.

Common mistakes to avoid: Do not use thin hairline fonts that may not reproduce well in print. Avoid placing dark-coloured designs on dark t-shirts without a white underbase. Provide separate files for each print location rather than one combined image. And always confirm your design's dimensions relative to the actual garment size — artwork that looks balanced on screen may appear too large or too small on the physical t-shirt.

If you need help preparing your artwork, our in-house design team offers free file checks and affordable design assistance for all Canadian customers. Submit your files through our online tool, and we will review them within one business day. For more guidance, explore our blank selection guide and pricing guide to plan every aspect of your custom t-shirt project.