September in Toronto has its own rhythm. Streets fill with yellow buses, campuses buzz with orientation events, and students show up in freshly bought sneakers, new notebooks, and a little nervous excitement. Back-to-school is as much about identity as it is about academics — and that’s where custom school gear plays a bigger role than most people realize.
From Crests to Custom Prints
The idea of wearing your school identity isn’t new. In elite English schools centuries ago, embroidered crests stitched onto uniforms carried social meaning. Tiny details in colour or placement told others where you stood in the hierarchy.
The idea of wearing your school identity isn’t new. In elite English schools centuries ago, embroidered crests stitched onto uniforms carried social meaning. Tiny details in colour or placement told others where you stood in the hierarchy.
In modern Toronto, that tradition has shifted from exclusivity to inclusivity. Today, schools use screen-printed t-shirts, hoodies, and other custom pieces not to separate students, but to unite them. Spirit wear has become a way for students to feel connected, whether they’re part of a soccer team, a robotics club, or simply proud of their school colours.
The Appeal of the Classic T-Shirt
Few items are as universal as the t-shirt. Affordable and versatile, they show up at school events, fundraisers, and student orientations. Youth and adult tees in Toronto are often customized with school logos, slogans, or event graphics. They aren’t just clothes, they’re keepsakes. A well-worn shirt from a championship game or club event often outlasts the year itself.
Hoodies and Sweatshirts: A Fall Essential
As the weather cools, hoodies and sweatshirts move to the front of the wardrobe. Cozy, practical, and endlessly customizable, they’ve become the unofficial uniform of fall on campuses. Screen-printed hoodies allow schools to offer gear that’s both comfortable and a visible symbol of school pride. Unlike embroidered crests of the past, a hoodie can carry a design bold enough to be seen across the quad.
Bags That Carry More Than Books
Back-to-school also means carrying a lot of stuff. That’s why tote bags, drawstring gym sacks, and backpacks have become back-to-school essentials. When printed with a school name or club logo, they do double duty: practical storage for students and moving billboards for the school itself. Eco-friendly cotton totes in particular have gained popularity as schools look for sustainable options.
Beyond the Basics
Of course, spirit wear isn’t just clothing. Schools are also turning to smaller, practical items that still carry a big impact:
- Custom Hats: Snapbacks, toques, and dad hats bring school colours into everyday outfits.
- Stickers & Decals: Students personalize lockers, laptops, and water bottles with their school identity.
- Notepads & Jotters: Functional items that keep the logo visible long after the first week of school.
- Lanyards & ID Holders: Essential during orientations and student events.
- Custom Patches: A modern nod to the traditional embroidered crest.
Supporting Local Schools in Toronto
Back-to-school season is a reminder of how identity, pride, and community come together. For over forty years, Artik has worked with Toronto schools to bring those ideas to life through locally printed apparel and accessories.
The technology may have shifted, from hand-stitched embroidery to fast, high-quality screen printing but the goal is the same: helping students feel part of something bigger as they start a new school year.