How much do custom staff t-shirts cost in Ontario?

At Papaya, custom staff t-shirts cost from $20 a piece at 5 shirts down to $13 a piece at 100 or more, with one DTF-printed chest logo included, plus HST. The price per shirt mostly comes down to two things: how many pieces are in the order and how many places you print. If you are comparing what custom t-shirts cost in Ontario, those two levers explain most of the gap between quotes.

Below is the full price ladder, how tiers work on a mixed order, and a few ways to spend less.

What does the price ladder look like?

Every price here is per piece, in CAD, before HST. It includes the garment and one logo on the left or right chest.

These are starting points. Scope and deliverables determine the final price, and you approve a digital proof before anything is printed.

How do the tiers work on a mixed order?

The tier is based on the total number of pieces in the order, not per garment. You can mix sizes, colours and garment types to reach a tier.

A worked example: say you order 6 tees and 4 hoodies. That is 10 pieces, so both items price at the 10+ tier.

• 6 tees × $18 = $108
• 4 hoodies × $36 = $144
• Subtotal: $252
• HST at 13%: $32.76
• Total: $284.76

The minimum is 5 pieces per order. Garment colours are white, black, grey and blue; hats come in black or navy. Sizes run S to XXL.

What does a back logo add?

A big back logo adds $12 per piece on garments. So a tee with a chest logo and a back logo starts from $32 at 5 pieces instead of $20.

Trucker hats take one logo on the face only. There is no second placement on hats.

If you are unsure whether you need the back print, ask how the shirt will be seen. Staff who face customers across a counter are mostly seen from the front. Crews who work with their backs to the street (landscaping, trades, event staff) get more out of a back logo.

How does that compare with online print shops?

We checked Vistaprint on Sept 14, 2026. A Gildan Ultra Cotton tee there ran $12.49 to $24.49 each depending on quantity, and a District tee with a front and back print ran $20.99 to $37.49. They have no minimum on DTG or heat-transfer orders.

For comparison, our heavy cotton tee is $20 at 5 pieces, and front-plus-back is $32 at 5 pieces. So we sit inside the same range.

The honest take: if you need one or two shirts, an online shop wins, because we have a 5-piece minimum. Once you are ordering for a team, the difference is less about price and more about having a local person check your logo file, send a proof and answer the phone.

What else changes the final number?

• Quantity. The biggest lever. Each tier lowers the price on every piece in the order.
• Placements. One chest logo is included; a back logo is extra on garments.
• Garment type. Hoodies cost roughly double a tee at every tier.
• HST. 13% in Ontario, added on top of every price above.
• Your logo file. A clean file avoids redraw work. See what logo file you need for printing.

We print with DTF (direct-to-film), which handles full-colour logos without per-colour setup charges. If you are weighing other methods, we compare them in our post on DTF vs screen printing vs embroidery.

How should you budget for staff shirts?

Start with headcount, then decide how many shirts each person needs in a week. Two per person is a common starting point for staff who wear them daily.

Then check whether a small top-up gets you into the next tier.

Another worked example: 12 staff with two tees each is 24 pieces at $18, or $432 before HST. Order one spare and you reach 25 pieces at $16, or $400. One extra shirt, $32 less.

A few more habits that keep the cost sensible:

• Order spares in the most common sizes for new hires.
• Keep one design across garments so a hoodie order can top up a tee order.
• Skip the back print on items worn under aprons or jackets.

Where Papaya fits

We're based in Kitchener-Waterloo and print staff tees, long sleeves, hoodies and trucker hats for businesses across Ontario, at published prices that don't move. You can see the full options on our apparel page, build an order directly in the shop, or send a larger order through the contact form. Every order gets a digital proof before printing.

Common questions

What is the minimum order for custom staff t-shirts?

Papaya's minimum is 5 pieces per order. You can mix sizes, colours and garment types to reach it, and the price tier is based on the total pieces in the order.

Is HST included in custom t-shirt prices?

No. Papaya's apparel prices are in CAD before HST, which is 13% in Ontario and is added at checkout or on the invoice.

How much does a back logo add to a custom t-shirt?

At Papaya, a big back logo adds $12 per piece on tees, long sleeves and hoodies. A tee with a chest logo and a back logo starts from $32 at 5 pieces.