Sometime last year, I was assigned to handle the t-shirt printing for a company team-building event. I admit I got lazy and just picked the first company I found online for the job – and got some pretty surrealist approximations of my design as a result
Well, after all of the ribbing I got for those awful shirts, I resolved to do better for future events! Since then, I (and the rest of the team, as they were victims too) have done research around town on all the best t-shirt printing shops in Vancouver.
Here are the ones I can heartily recommend (because I’d actually use them)!
How much does T-shirt printing cost in Vancouver? Expect to spend at least $10 for a custom printed T-shirt in Vancouver. However, if you purchase in bulk, expect that can go down to $5 per shirt. This price is just an estimate and will vary depending on the type of shirt, whether it’s all over print, and the T-shirt printing company you choose. |
How We Chose
1. Blue Sky T-Shirts – T shirt Printing Vancouver – Screen Printing
Address: 1523 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y1, Canada
Contact Details: +16042537501
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12: 30 PM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 4 PM
Website:Blue Sky T-Shirts – T shirt Printing Vancouver – Screen Printing
We tested Blue Sky on a small order of tees – and they were nothing short of eye-popping. Seriously, the colours were so vibrant, and the ink actually felt like it was going to stick around longer than our commitment to weekend plans.
What’s more, the selection of blank shirts they had on deck was right on the money. That level of choice meant we could play around until everything just clicked with what we’re all about.
Oh, and let’s talk about their customer service—friendly doesn’t even begin to cover it. They were like our design sherpas, providing pro tips and advice that really took our shirts from meh to wow.
And their same-day service? Total game-changer. Blue Sky swooped in, superhero style, delivering top-notch goods faster than we could say “deadline.”.
However, a sweeter deal on the price tag or maybe some discounts for buying in bulk would really seal the deal for smaller groups like ours, watching our pennies and all.
Pros
- High-quality printing
- Wide selection of shirts
- Excellent customer service
- Same-day service available
Cons
- Expensive prices
Customer Reviews
Only shop in Vancouver that provided same day service
“Tremendous service! They were the only shop in Vancouver that provided same day service. My beautiful t-shirt was ready in just over an hour.”
– Rick West, Google Reviews
Filled our order promptly in less than a week and communicated clearly
“We had an excellent experience working with John. He was very helpful with resizing our design as it was too small, filling our order promptly in less than a week and communicating clearly in a timely manner. I have recommended Blue Sky to family members for future use and will return there myself!”
– Courtney Dick, Google Reviews
2. T-Shirt Printing Vancouver
Address: 1951 Glen Dr suite 204, Vancouver, BC V6A 4J6, Canada
Contact Details: +16042837211
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 3 PM
Website: T-Shirt Printing Vancouver
Many we spoke to about T-shirt Print Vancouver kept going on and on about the affordable pricing. And now we understand all the buzz.
Their easy-to-understand pricing guide breaks things down based on the number of shirts, choice of colours, and the printing technique used. No sneaky charges here.
However, while working on our test hoodies, we felt their online design tool lacked depth. The process of uploading our own artwork felt somewhat restrictive, and we were left wishing for more flexibility.
Also, the absence of a live chat feature on their site was a bit of a letdown. So we ended up having to pick up the phone and call TPV ourselves.
Fortunately for us, they walked us through some modifications to our original design to ensure it would print perfectly.
And when we got our hoodies, they were comfortable, made of high-quality cotton that was both soft to the touch and breathable. We got them within a week too, which was nothing short of a miracle given the size of our order.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- High-quality materials
- Speedy turnaround time
Cons
- No live chat support
- Limited online design tools
Customer Reviews
The delivery was quick and reliable
“Amazing quality and customer service. They responded to me promptly and kindly answered all my questions. Garson was very patient and knowledgeable. The print was better than expected and the delivery was quick and reliable. They assisted me every step of the way from design to delivery. Highly recommend!”
– N H, Google Reviews
Great, patient customer service
“I was very meticulous with my hoodie orders and the staff gave great, patient customer service. Hoodies came within a couple days and the quality is amazing. We will definitely be using T-Shirt Printing Vancouver again!”
– Sami Rosenberg, Google Reviews
3. Unimpressed Screen Printing
Address: 45 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4, Canada
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
Website: Unimpressed Screen Printing
Kyle, the mastermind behind this operation, has turned the process of creating custom merchandise into something personal, affordable, and overwhelmingly positive.
For us, the standout feature of Unimpressed is undoubtedly the hands-on, personal service provided by Kyle himself. From initial contact to the final pick-up, Kyle is your go-to, ensuring the journey is as collaborative as it is enjoyable.
Despite being a small operation, Kyle is committed to keeping costs down without sacrificing quality. We think this is a game-changer for startups or brands that want quality merchandise without committing to a small fortune’s worth of inventory.
However, because he is a one-man show, the turnaround times can be slightly longer than you’d experience with larger companies. Additionally, Unimpressed sticks to the core of screen printing, so it’s best to come with your designs ready to go.
Pros
- Personal service
- Affordable
Cons
- Long turnaround times
Customer Reviews
Was really easy to discuss the aspects of the shirts with Kyle
“Kyle did the t shirts for the 2024 BC Youth Choir and they turned out great. He had the lowest prices compared to quite a few other printing companies which allowed us to get a higher quality fabric for the same (or still lower) price as other places. It was really easy to discuss the aspects of the shirts with Kyle and there was a quick turnaround with the option for pickup. I would highly recommend Unimpressed Screen Printing and will go back if we will print more t shirts in the future.”
– BCYC Manager, Google Reviews
The results were AMAZING
“My company Reformation PR reached out to Kyle and his team at unimpressed on rather short notice to create sweaters and totes for an event. They were able to turn around the project in great time, and the results were AMAZING! They were very honest with pricing and gave us many great option for quality and material. We will definitely continue to work with this print company for any merchandising needs in the future!!”
– Samantha Mcmeekin, Google Reviews
4. Coastal Reign Printing
Address: 8793 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6P 3J9, Canada
Contact Details: +16049005924
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Website: Coastal Reign Printing
Whether you’re outfitting a local startup, a school team, or just about any group looking to make a visual splash, Coastal Reign seems to have cornered the market on making wearables downright enviable.
We’ve personally witnessed the alchemy they perform, blending screen printing and embroidery to create pieces that slay in the boldest of colours and sharpest of designs. Their T-shirts hold the kind of quality that endures the rigours of life and countless laundry days, but they still cause a double-take because of how fresh they look.
They have some slick design tools, offering previews so crystal-clear that it’s like your idea is already living and breathing before a single dime is spent.
And if you’re sitting stateside or anywhere in Canada, those shipping costs won’t put a dent in your budget because they’ve scrapped them. Zip, nada, nothing.
Of course, their premium-quality custom apparel does mean your wallet feels the difference. However, we can vouch for the fact that every compliment and cheer our T-shirts got made the price tag feel worth it.
Pros
- Free shipping
- Excellent customer service
- Great design tools
Cons
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
We were getting compliments from everybody
“I recently placed an order with Coastal Reign for our volleyball team. The experience from start to finish was amazing like the communication, customer service and design process. I spoke with Angela and she was able to design this very cute jersey for us! The team was super impressed and we were getting compliments from everybody 🙂 Definitely would recommend and come back for any custom printing.”
– Emily, Google Reviews
Truly went above and beyond in terms of service and communication
“Everything about Coastal Reign is exceptional! I recently worked with them to produce 40 or so branded hoodies for our workplace, and cannot say enough positive things about the experience. Linda, who I corresponded with throughout the project, truly went above and beyond in terms of service and communication, and the print team delivered above expectations with the quality of the screen printing for our logos.
10/10 recommend reaching out to Coastal Reign if you need branded / printed materials — you won’t be disappointed!”
– Christine Charlesworth, Google Reviews
5. Instant Imprints
Address: 1065 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 4L4, Canada
Contact Details: +16045581877
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 1:30 AM
Website: Instant Imprints
Many of the people we spoke to raved about Instant Imprint’s quick turnaround times. So we used them recently to get together some t-shirts for a company event, and they had us covered in just a few days.
From our experience with Instant Imprints, their whole setup screams professionalism. They print pretty much everything. From t-shirts to signs and even promotional products—whether you’re looking to embroider some hats or whip up some banners, this place has got you covered.
And talking to them was a breeze. They were all ears, ready to tackle our barrage of questions and throw in a few helpful suggestions that really made the T-shirts pop.
However, if you’re trying to keep things tight budget-wise, especially for smaller batch orders, you might stumble upon better deals elsewhere.
BTW the staff, while super supportive and friendly, aren’t exactly the Picasso type. So if you’re in need of some serious design work, you better have a crystal clear idea of what you’re looking for or have your design mojo ready to roll before placing an order with them.
Pros
- Fast turnaround times
- Professional setup
- Excellent variety
Cons
- Pricy for small orders
- Limited design services
Customer Reviews
Great variety of coloured threads for embroideries
“Highly recommend this place. Great variety of coloured threads for embroideries and very friendly staff. I was working on a tight timeline for the holidays and they delivered not only on time but earlier than expected. My pieces turned out great! Can’t wait to do more work with them.”
The T-shirts you printed for me turned out fantastic
“I had a very small order but they treated me as if I was giving them a ton of business. Very patient to answer all my questions over the phone, and very helpful while I was in the store. Thank you, the T-shirts you printed for me turned out fantastic!”
– Cody Larsen, Google Reviews