On any given afternoon Toronto turns into a moving billboard of company tees. Cafés in Kensington, incubators on King, even charity walkers along the Martin Goodman Trail rely on a simple cotton shirt to tell their story. A good shirt can win someone over at first handshake; a flimsy one can end up as a paint rag. That is why most conversations at Artik start with two names: Gildan and Bella + Canvas.
Gildan has earned its reputation as the reliable workhorse. weighs in at 7.5 ounces, feels super soft , and comes in more colours than a bag of candy. It takes ink well and holds its shape after a barrage of industrial washes. Community events, large staff rollouts, and trade-show giveaways often land here because durability and cost per unit matter most.
Bella + Canvas lives at the other end of the rack. Airlume combed, ring-spun cotton gives the 3001 a buttery feel; side seams and a modern fit make it look more boutique than bulk order. Creative agencies, boutique gyms, and start-ups that sell their merch at retail prices choose Bella when they want the shirt itself to feel like part of the brand.
Quick reference at a glance
Gildan
• budget friendly, huge colour range
• strong, mid-weight fabric for everyday wear
• best for volume orders and rough use
Bella + Canvas
• premium hand feel and fashion fit
• contemporary colours and heather blends
• best for retail, client gifts, staff favourites
Printing behaves differently on each fabric too. Gildan’s denser knit keeps fine lines razor sharp, ideal for small text and simple logos. Bella + Canvas rewards complex artwork; gradients and thin strokes sit smoothly on its tighter weave. Before any job runs we test inks and pull a press sample so you can feel the print instead of guessing how it will wash.
So which one is right? Ask two questions. First, where will the shirt spend its life? Muddy festival grounds and warehouse shifts point to Gildan. Client gift bags or limited-run merch lean Bella. Second, what lasting impression do you want? Reliability says one thing; a fashion-forward fit says another. Mixing both is common. Many clients order Bella for VIPs, then Gildan for street teams, keeping budgets in line without lowering quality.
Ordering stays simple. Drop by our sample wall, pick the fabric that matches your story, approve a proof that mirrors the finished piece, then let us print it here in Toronto. No customs wait, no guessing at colours. If you want to feel the difference yourself visit 314 Adelaide Street East, call 416-815-7770 or browse our Custom T-Shirts page. Once the blank is right the print does the talking.