Searching for custom t shirt printing toronto usually means one of two things: you need a batch of shirts for a work event by Friday, or you’re tired of getting vague quotes and blurry proofs from shops that never call back. Either way, you want a printer who’s upfront about cost, quick with turnaround, and actually good at the craft.
This guide answers that search directly. We’ve rounded up eight shops across the city, from downtown storefronts to GTA-based print houses, and compared them on price, speed, and print quality so you’re not stuck guessing, and you can cross-check them against our wider roundup of top t-shirt printing shops in Toronto. Whether you need same-day t-shirt printing for a last-minute pop-up or the cheapest bulk run for a fundraiser, you’ll find an option that fits your budget and timeline.
Below, you’ll get a breakdown of each shop’s specialties, minimum order rules, and average turnaround, plus what sets them apart for logo work, team apparel, or one-off custom designs. As a Canadian print shop ourselves, we know what separates a reliable printer from one that leaves you chasing updates, and we’ve built this list with that experience in mind.
1. Apex Workwear
Apex Workwear operates as a Canada-based print shop serving the Greater Toronto Area, and it’s built specifically for businesses that need custom apparel done right the first time. Rather than treating you as one order in a queue, the team reviews your artwork by hand and flags anything that might print poorly before it goes to production. That hands-on approach is why we’re including ourselves here: we know exactly what goes into a clean, accurate print run because it’s what we do every day.
Printing methods and services
Apex offers both screen printing and embroidery, plus direct-to-garment (DTG) printing for smaller runs or designs with lots of colour detail, which is worth weighing against other Toronto shops that screen print custom apparel. You can order T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and polos, all printed or stitched in-house rather than farmed out to a third party. This matters if you’re comparing shops for t shirt logo printing in Toronto, since embroidered logos hold up to washing and daily wear far better than a basic heat transfer. Beyond apparel, Apex also handles the print materials businesses order alongside apparel, like business cards, banners, and signage, so you’re not juggling three vendors for one campaign.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Apex quotes within 24 hours, seven days a week, and there’s no minimum order on most apparel, which is rare among Toronto printers who typically require 12 or 24 pieces minimum. Bulk pricing kicks in as your order grows, and how large-order discounts are structured scales with quantity rather than jumping at one arbitrary threshold.
| Order size | Typical use case | Pricing approach |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 11 pieces | Personal orders, samples | Standard per-unit rate |
| 12 to 49 pieces | Small teams, pop-up events | First discount tier |
| 50+ pieces | Corporate uniforms, fundraisers | Best per-unit rate |
A shop that quotes honestly and skips the minimum order requirement saves small businesses real money on their first run.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard orders ship within 5 to 7 business days, and rush turnaround options in Toronto are available when you’re working against a deadline. Given how often Torontonians need same-day t shirt printing for a last-minute event, it’s worth checking which local shops can print shirts the same day and calling ahead to confirm rush capacity for your specific design and quantity, since embroidery generally takes longer to rush than screen printing or DTG. Local shipping is free within the GTA on eligible orders, which shaves both cost and a day or two off delivery compared to shops that only offer paid courier.
Best for
Small business owners, contractors, and event coordinators who want one Toronto-based partner for both apparel and print materials will get the most out of Apex. It also suits anyone who’s been burned by a shop that went quiet mid-order, since design proofs and quote turnaround are treated as a standard part of the process rather than an upsell. If you want a free quote before you commit to a design, you can get started with a custom quote directly through the Apex Workwear site.
2. Toronto Tees
Toronto Tees has built a name around fast, no-fuss screen printing for local teams and small businesses who just need shirts printed and out the door. It’s a straightforward operation without a lot of extras, which works well if you already have your design finalized and don’t need much design guidance along the way.
Printing methods and services
Screen printing is the core service here, with a smaller embroidery option for logo wear. Ordering is simple: upload your artwork, pick your garment, and confirm colours. There’s less flexibility for complex, multi-colour designs compared to shops running DTG alongside screen printing, so detailed photo-style graphics may not come out as sharp. For basic t shirt logo printing in Toronto, though, the process is quick and predictable.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Pricing sits in the mid-range for the city, and bulk discounts apply once you hit larger quantities, typically starting around 24 pieces. Smaller orders cost more per unit, so this shop suits teams ordering in volume rather than someone who just wants five shirts for a weekend event.
Volume-based pricing rewards bigger orders, but it can leave small businesses paying a premium for short runs.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard turnaround runs about a week, with a rush service available for an added fee. If you’re after same day t shirt printing in Toronto, you’ll need to call ahead and confirm stock and capacity, since rush slots fill up fast during event season and aren’t guaranteed just because you’re willing to pay extra.
Best for
Toronto Tees suits businesses and sports teams who already have artwork ready and want a simple, no-frills order without design consultations or add-on services. It’s a solid pick if your priority is a clean screen print at a fair bulk rate, though anyone needing hands-on design help or same-day guarantees should confirm details before committing to a deadline.
3. Freshly Baked Tees
Freshly Baked Tees markets itself as a design-forward shop, popular with creative agencies and startups who want a printer that can handle unusual colours, gradients, and layered artwork without flattening the details. It’s less of a bare-bones print house and more of a shop that leans into the creative side of custom apparel, which shows in the way staff talk through your file before it ever hits a press.
Printing methods and services
DTG printing is the headline service, since it handles the full-colour, photo-style designs that screen printing struggles with, and it helps to understand how DTG compares with screen printing on quality and cost before choosing between the two for simpler jobs. Garment options extend past basic tees into fashion-cut shirts, tote bags, and a small range of hoodies, which suits customers building a merch line rather than just uniforms. Anyone comparing shops for t shirt printing downtown Toronto with heavy artwork should shortlist this one, since DTG print quality here holds up better on detailed graphics than most screen-only competitors.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Pricing runs a bit higher than the city average, which tracks with the DTG focus, since that method costs more per unit than screen printing at scale. There’s no strict minimum order, so a single custom shirt is possible, but per-unit cost drops noticeably once you cross into the 25-plus range.
Paying a premium for DTG makes sense when your design has gradients or photo detail that screen printing simply can’t reproduce cleanly.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard jobs take around 6 to 8 business days, slightly longer than some competitors, largely because of the extra proofing step on complex files. Rush service exists but isn’t guaranteed for every design, and it’s not marketed as same-day t-shirt printing in Toronto, so plan ahead if your event date is fixed.
Best for
Freshly Baked Tees suits creative agencies, artists, and startups producing detailed, multi-colour designs where print fidelity matters more than shaving a day off delivery. It’s a weaker fit if you’re chasing the cheapest t-shirt printing in Toronto for a basic logo run, since simpler jobs will cost more here than at a screen-print-only shop.
4. Hardboiled Inc
Hardboiled Inc has built its reputation on the streetwear and band-merch scene, printing bold, high-contrast graphics for independent labels, local musicians, and small clothing lines. Unlike shops chasing corporate uniform orders, this one leans into custom apparel with a punk-rock edge, and it shows in the client list plastered across their studio walls.
Printing methods and services
Screen printing is the only method on offer here, and the shop makes no apologies for it. Owners argue that a well-mixed screen print, especially with plastisol or discharge inks, still beats DTG for vibrancy on dark garments, and how the screen printing process works explains why the results on their sample racks hold up. Options extend to hoodies, long-sleeves, and tote bags, though don’t expect polos or embroidered logo wear since that’s simply outside their wheelhouse.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Given that this shop only runs one printing method, overhead stays low, and that translates into some of the cheapest t-shirt printing in Toronto for straightforward one or two colour designs. Bulk discounts start around 25 pieces, with a steeper drop at 100, making it a strong option for bands pressing merch for a tour run.
Sticking to one printing method keeps costs down, but it also means the shop isn’t the right fit for every design.
Turnaround time and rush options
Expect roughly a week for standard orders, since screen setup for multi-colour art takes longer than a quick DTG file upload. Rush turnaround exists but comes with a noticeable surcharge, and it’s not marketed as same-day t-shirt printing in Toronto, so factor that into your event timeline before locking in a date.
Best for
Hardboiled Inc suits independent musicians, streetwear founders, and small brands who want punchy, high-contrast prints without paying DTG rates. Businesses needing embroidered logo wear or fast same-day service should look elsewhere, but for anyone chasing bold graphic tees on a tight budget, this shop delivers consistently strong results.
5. Coastal Reign
Coastal Reign built its brand around sustainable, lifestyle-driven apparel, and that ethos carries through to how it prints. The shop caters to eco-conscious startups, wellness brands, and event organisers who want their custom apparel to reflect a low-impact production process without sacrificing print quality.
Printing methods and services
Water-based screen printing is the shop’s specialty, chosen specifically because it avoids the plastisol build-up that traditional inks leave on fabric. Garments lean toward organic cotton and recycled-blend tees, hoodies, and tote bags rather than the standard poly blends most shops stock. DTG printing for small runs is available for detailed artwork, though staff will often steer you toward screen printing first if your design allows it, since it’s the more sustainable option at volume. Anyone searching for toronto t-shirt printing with an environmental angle should shortlist this shop over competitors running solvent-based inks by default.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Pricing sits slightly above the city average, reflecting the higher cost of organic and recycled materials compared to standard cotton blends. Bulk discounts apply from 24 pieces upward, with a further price break at 100, though the savings are modest compared to shops using cheaper base garments.
Sustainable materials cost more upfront, but they’re the right trade-off for brands whose whole identity depends on being eco-conscious.
Turnaround time and rush options
Orders typically take 7 to 9 business days, longer than most shops on this list, largely due to limited stock runs of the organic garments they use. Rush service is available on request but isn’t guaranteed, and it’s not positioned as same day t shirt printing in Toronto, so anyone with a fixed event date should confirm garment availability well ahead of time.
Best for
Coastal Reign suits wellness studios, sustainable fashion startups, and event organisers who want their branding to match an eco-friendly message. It’s a weaker choice for anyone chasing the fastest or cheapest option on this list, since both cost and lead time run higher than standard screen-print shops.
6. T-Shirt Guys
T-Shirt Guys runs a walk-in style print shop in the east end, built around speed and simplicity rather than design consultations or fancy fabrics. Regulars describe it as the place you go when you know exactly what you want and don’t need anyone to talk you through it. It’s a solid entry for anyone typing t shirt printing toronto cheap into a search bar and wanting a quick answer rather than a sales pitch.
Printing methods and services
Screen printing covers almost every order here, with vinyl transfer available for single shirts or very small runs where setting up screens wouldn’t make sense, so it helps to know how vinyl transfers stack up against screen printing before you decide. Garment choices stay basic: standard cotton tees, a few hoodie styles, and ball caps, without the fashion-cut or organic options some competitors stock. That narrow focus keeps the shop fast, though anyone wanting embroidery or DTG for a photo-heavy design should look elsewhere on this list.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Pricing here regularly comes in among the cheapest t shirt printing in Toronto, particularly for one-colour designs on plain tees. There’s a low minimum of six pieces, and bulk breaks apply at 24 and again at 72, though the savings are steepest for simple logo jobs rather than multi-colour art.
Rock-bottom pricing works best when your design is simple, since anything with more than two colours quickly closes the price gap with pricier shops.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard turnaround runs 4 to 6 business days, on the faster end for the city, and rush service is available for same-day pickup on straightforward one-colour jobs ordered before early afternoon. It’s genuinely one of the better options if you need same-day t-shirt printing in Toronto, provided your design doesn’t require multiple screens.
Best for
T-Shirt Guys suits budget-conscious buyers, students, and small teams who need a basic, low-cost print run fast and don’t need design hand-holding along the way. It’s a weaker fit for anyone chasing embroidered logo wear or detailed multi-colour graphics, since that work sits outside its core setup.
7. Urban Customz
Urban Customz operates out of a compact studio near downtown, and it’s built a following among students, small retailers, and local sports leagues who need a wide product range without shopping around at three different shops. The vibe here is more retail counter than production floor, but the equipment behind the counter turns out solid work across several printing methods.
Printing methods and services
Screen printing and DTG both run in-house, and Urban Customz also offers sublimation printing for jerseys and all-over designs, which is a method few other shops on this list carry. That extra capability makes it a strong pick if you’re outfitting a rec league or dance team alongside a standard custom apparel order for staff shirts. Garment options span tees, hoodies, jerseys, and caps, with embroidery available through a partner shop if you need shirts with a stitched company logo.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Pricing sits close to the city average, though sublimation work costs more per unit than screen printing given the extra setup involved. Bulk breaks start at 20 pieces and improve again past 60, and there’s no strict minimum, so single-item orders are possible if you’re willing to pay standard retail rate.
Carrying sublimation alongside screen printing and DTG lets one shop cover jerseys, staff shirts, and event tees without three separate vendors.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard jobs take 5 to 7 business days, in line with most mid-sized shops in the city, and rush service is available for an added fee on screen printing and DTG orders. Sublimation jobs generally can’t be rushed the same way, since the fabric needs proper time to cure, so anyone hoping for same day t shirt printing in Toronto should stick to the simpler methods here.
Best for
Varies widely, but Urban Customz suits sports teams, small retailers, and anyone needing more than one printing method under one roof. It’s a weaker fit if you specifically want embroidered logo wear done in-house, since that piece gets outsourced rather than handled on-site.
8. T-Shirt Elephant
T-Shirt Elephant rounds out this list as the online-first option, built for anyone who’d rather upload a file and get a price than walk into a shop and talk it through. It’s a solid choice if you’ve already compared Toronto t-shirt printing quotes elsewhere and just want a fast, no-nonsense checkout process with a clear price before you commit.
Printing methods and services
DTG printing handles most orders here, since the online model suits quick, small-batch print jobs better than screen setup. Screen printing is available for larger runs, but you’ll need to request a quote rather than checkout instantly, which slows things down compared to their DTG flow. Garment choices are broad for an online shop, covering tees, hoodies, and long-sleeves in several fits, though embroidery isn’t offered at all, so anyone wanting stitched logo wear should look elsewhere on this list.
Pricing and bulk discounts
Single shirts price competitively thanks to the DTG focus, and there’s no minimum order on most designs, which suits one-off gifts or samples. Bulk discounts apply automatically at checkout once you cross 20 pieces, with a further break past 50, though screen-print quotes for very large runs sometimes beat the online DTG rate.
An online-only checkout works well for straightforward orders, but it can’t replace a real conversation when your job gets complicated.
Turnaround time and rush options
Standard turnaround sits around 5 to 7 business days, matching most shops on this list, and rush service is available for an added fee at checkout. It’s not built for same day t shirt printing in Toronto, since orders route through a queue rather than a walk-in counter, so anyone with a same-day deadline should call ahead before assuming rush means immediate.
Best for
Anyone comfortable ordering without a phone call or in-person proof will get the most from T-Shirt Elephant. It suits individuals, small teams, and repeat buyers who already know their sizing and just want a quick reorder, though first-time buyers needing design guidance may prefer a shop offering more hands-on support.
Choosing the right printer for your order
Every shop on this list earns its spot for a specific reason, whether that’s rock-bottom pricing, sustainable materials, or a same-day rush slot when you’re stuck against a deadline. The right pick depends on what actually matters for your order: budget, turnaround, or print method. A basic one-colour logo run suits a cheap screen-print shop, while detailed artwork or embroidered staff uniforms need a printer with the equipment and proofing process to back it up.
If you want one Toronto-based partner who handles apparel, signage, and print materials without passing your job between vendors, that’s exactly where Apex Workwear fits. Honest quotes within 24 hours, no minimums, and proofs before anything hits production make it easy to order with confidence. When you’re ready to compare pricing for your own project, get a free quote from Apex Workwear, or read our guide to finding the right t-shirt printing store near you before you commit.
