Custom T-Shirt Printing FAQs

Everything you need to know about our custom t-shirt detailing service

  1. Please upload your graphics file using our design tool or email it to us if the file is over 20MBs (20MB is the max file size our design tool can accept) and let us know the t-shirt / apparel's colour and quantity per size you'd like to inquire
  2. Once received, we'll update shortly with the turn around time and quotation of the order
  3. If okay and to proceed with order, due to our store policies we'll need the payment as a confirmation along with the preferred delivery address and we'll have your shirts completed and delivered or ready for pickup within the estimated time frame

For best design detailing results, we recommend the following image specifications:

Recommendations and File Requirements:
  • Resolution: 250 or higher DPI recommended at actual print size (the design tool exports at up to 450 DPI for optimal print quality and automatically adjusts to 375 DPI, 300 DPI, or 250 DPI if needed to stay within the export 25MB file size limit)
  • File Format: PNG file without any unwanted background, JPG or BMP is only possible if the DTF print / transfer is intended to be a rectangular portrait
  • Please submit your design only once through our online tool and we'll handle the sizing; You don't need to submit the same design at different measurement for different t-shirt size - we'll rescale your design to maintain proper proportions across all t-shirt sizes. Typically, we use one design size for larger sizes (L/XL), another for smaller sizes (S/M) and another for youth size (YS/YXS), but we can also use a single fixed size for all shirts if you prefer (recommended for group photos to create visual consistency)
  • Use high-resolution images and verify they appear crisp when viewed at actual print size or larger on your screen

DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers is a modern printing method where designs are printed onto a special film, then transferred to garments using heat and pressure.

Key Benefits:
  • Fabric Versatility: Works on cotton and mixed poly / cotton fabrics
  • Vibrant Colors: Produces bright, vivid colours on both light and dark garments
  • Detailed Reproduction: Ideal for fine details, gradients hues / tones (design / graphics cannot have semi-transparent areas)
  • Durability: Creates a flexible, long-lasting print that moves with the fabric
How It Works:
  1. Your design is printed onto a PET film using DTF colour and opaque white ink
  2. A powder adhesive is applied to the film while the ink is still wet
  3. The film with the coated powder is cured in a tunnel dryer to set the design and adhesive
  4. The garment is pre-pressed to remove moisture, the transfer is positioned and heat-pressed onto the garment
  5. The film backing is peeled away, then the design is heat-pressed with a parchment sheet for a matte finish

DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing is a modern digital printing method that prints designs directly onto fabric using specialized inkjet technology.

Key Benefits:
  • High Details: Produces full-colour, detail reproduction for non-monohue designs / images
  • Softer Feel: Ink integrates into fabric fibers, maintaining shirt's softness
  • Complex Designs: Can handle detailed artwork and photos with fading transparency (only recommend on shirts on shirts in white)
How It Works:
  1. A pretreatment solution is applied to help bond the ink onto the shirt
  2. The shirt is heat-pressed to fully cure the pretreatment and iron the fabric
  3. DTG colour and opaque white inks are printed directly onto the fabric
  4. The shirt is heat-cured through a tunnel dryer to set the ink permanently

Non-pretreated t-shirts in white:

  • Standard white cotton t-shirts without any special coating
  • More affordable option (priced around $1.50 to $4.50 lower per single-sided printed shirt)
  • Best suited for simple designs / logo without any red or neon colour

Pretreated t-shirts in white:

  • White t-shirts with a special pretreatment solution applied
  • Enhanced print quality, vibrancy and better wash durability
  • Better for complex designs with gradients and fine details

We'll recommend the most suitable option based on your specific design during the quote process.

Yes, we offer sublimation but it has a few requirements.

Key Benefits:
  • Vibrant Colors: Sublimation are known to produce bright, vivid colours with a slightly wider colour gamut than DTG and DTF
  • Permanent Print: The design won't crack, peel, or fade as it's integrated into the polyester fibers
  • Soft Feel: No texture or thickness added to the shirt - the print feels like part of the fabric (softer than DTG printed shirts and especially DTF transferred shirts)
  • Durability: Excellent wash resistance with proper care
  • Gradient Transparency: Graphics can be detailed with semi-transparent areas due no white-underbase is required
Important Requirements:
  • White Polyester Only: Sublimation works exclusively on white polyester garments only
  • 100% Polyester: Best results require 100% polyester fabric content
  • Very Light-Colour Polyester: Images consisting with only dark colours are still possible too, but transparent areas will show the shirt's colour underneath

Unfortunately we do not currently offer embroidery services at this moment but only offer printing / detailing methods mainly using DTF (Direct-to-Film) or DTG (Direct-to-Garment). Dye-sublimation are available too but only if requested.

Modern t-shirt printing methods offers a lot of versatility, but there are still some limitation that needs to be considered:

Color Limitations:
  • Metallic Colors: True metallic tones (gold, silver, copper) cannot be replicated with DTG, DTF, or sublimation printing methods
  • Neon/Fluorescent Colors: Bright fluorescent colours may appear more muted or different than expected due to ink limitations
  • Color Gamut: All digital printing methods use CMYK-based inks, which cannot reproduce every color visible on RGB monitors
  • Spot Colors: Exact PANTONE color matching may not be possible with digital printing methods
Color Gamut Comparison - RGB, PANTONE, CMYK

Comparison of color ranges that different systems can display

Listed below is the following type of t-shirts we have in stock:
  • Gildan Ultra Cotton: GMS 200, used by default for all adult and youth shirts
  • Gildan Heavy Cotton: GMS approximately 175, used by default for all toddler t-shirts
  • Gildan Softstyle: GMS approximately 150, (only available in adult size S to 2XL in white, black, navy, red and military green if inquired or recommended)
  • Cotton Best Softstyle: GMS N/A, (only available in adult size S to 2XL in white and black if inquired or recommended)
  • Cotton Best Heavyweight: GMS N/A, (only available in adult size S to 2XL in white and black if inquired or recommended)
We have Ultra Cotton t-shirts in different colours in adult and youth size:
  • Classic colours: White, Black, Navy, Sports Gray, Sand
  • Common colours: Red, Royal Blue, Irish Green, Daisy Yellow, Purple, Light Pink
  • Specific colours: Carolina Blue, Azalea, Military Green, Sapphire Blue, Gold, Safety Green, Safety Pink
  • Additional colours can be special ordered from the supplier, please note there'll be a delivery cost depending on what the supplier charges, shipping is free starting at medium size orders

Colours available for toddler t-shirts in Heavy Cotton:

  • Classic colours: White, Black
  • Specific colours: Pastel Blue, Pastel Pink, Pastel Green
Available T-Shirt Colours:
Available Sizes:

Our t-shirts in stock are standard North American sizes:

  • Adult: S, M, L, XL, 2XL (available in Gildan Ultra Cotton, Gildan Softstyle, Cotton Best Softstyle and Cotton Best Heavyweight)
  • Youth: XS, S, M, L, XL (available in Gildan Ultra Cotton)
  • Toddler: 2T, 3T, 4T, 5T (available in Gildan Heavy Cotton)
  • Additional sizes can be special ordered from the supplier, please note there'll be a delivery cost depending on what the supplier charges, shipping is free starting at medium size orders
Adult and Youth Size Chart:
Gildan T-Shirt Size Chart
Toddler Size Chart:
Gildan Heavy Cotton Toddler T-Shirt Size Chart

We carry hoodies in stock with the following specifications:

  • Hoodie: Heavy Blend (50% cotton / 50% polyester)
  • Colors: White, Black, Navy, Sports Grey
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL (in adult size)
  • Hoodie: Gildan Premium Cotton (80% ringspun cotton / 20% polyester)
  • Colors: White, Black, Navy
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL (in adult size)
Hoodie Size Chart:
Gildan Hoodie Size Chart

Yes, we can detail on other garments, though they would need to be ordered in from our supplier. Please email us at info@cloud9tshirt.com with the garment type, preferred colour, and quantity per size and we'll check what's available.

Please note:

  • Supplier orders require additional delivery time (usually 2 to 3 business days) and carry a supplier delivery charge ($8 before tax, waived for medium size or larger orders)
  • Pricing varies based on the apparel type and variation

Lead-times for small to large size orders on average are completed and delivered or ready for pickup within the next 3 working days, individual orders takes around 1 to 5 working days and most bulk orders requires about 5 to 8 working days. Lead-time aren't exact due to the variation of the orders, or when there's not enough shirts queued, we group up 2 or more orders together to offset the overhead cost to start up the machines.

Rush orders that need to be completed and delivered in around the next 24 hours or less might require an additional fee.

Completed orders are placed in the t-shirt locker or delivered within the same day

Yes, we offer free delivery outside of Markham for medium or larger orders (includes Richmond Hill and north-half of Scarborough / North York). For smaller orders there is a delivery fee depending on the one-way travel distance between Markham and the delivery address (about $0.40 to $0.60 per KM).

To maintain the quality and longevity of your design, please follow these care instructions:

  • Turn inside out before washing or drying in the laundry to protect the design on the t-shirt / apparel
  • Wash in cold water - no more than 30°C or best with lower temperatures
  • Use mild / regular detergent - avoid bleach or fabric softeners
  • Gentle or regular cycle - avoid heavy agitation
  • Air dry when possible - if tumble dried, low heat is recommended and the shirt must be turned inside out
  • Iron inside out if needed, avoiding direct contact with the printed / detailed design

Following these instructions will help maintain print quality and extend the life of your custom detailed shirt.

We can offer some very simple changes to your design free of charge, but for more complex tasks we won't be able help much due to the lack of expertise and dedicated software, listed below are what we can and can't do:

What We Can Help With:
  • Basic file edit: Converting formats, cropping (e.g. unwanted borders) or image resizing
  • Simple text additions: Adding names, dates, or basic text to your design
  • Minor optimization: Basic colour replacement / swap, unwanted background removal (the image needs to be clear with high contrast)
For Complex Design Work:
  • Custom artwork creation: We recommend professional graphic designers
  • Logo design: Best handled by dedicated design services
  • Complex layouts: Multi-element designs need design expertise

As much as we'd like to fulfill your order, we cannot work on customer's shirts.

In case of printing or detailing failure during the process, we cannot compensate the purchase value of your shirts. Print failures can occur due to various factors including fabric compatibility, ink adhesion issues, technical malfunctions during the printing process, etc.

Different shirt brands can react differently with DTG, DTF and sublimation. We have tested our shirts to familiarize how they will turn out. And allow us to guarantee quality results and take full responsibility for your final product.

You'll always retain full ownership of your original designs. We only use your design to produce your order. Even if we really like your design and want to print one for ourselves, we will never reproduce your design without your explicit permission.

We accept:
  • E-Transfer / EMT
  • Credit Card (2.4% surcharge applies)

Please note due to our store policies we'll require the payment as an order confirmation and to prepare and start the print job.

Please understand due to the t-shirts are personalized goods, we won't be able to offer a customer satisfaction guarantee policy unless it involves one of the following factors listed below:

✓ We Accept Returns For:
  • Noticeable issues with the detailing quality or the shirt itself
  • The wrong design, t-shirt colour or size was used
  • Shirts arrive damaged due to shipping, storage (in the pickup locker) or packaging related
✗ We Cannot Accept Returns For:
  • Low-resolution file uploads
  • Design has RGB that can't be reproduce by CYMK
  • Incorrect t-shirt size or colour ordered
  • Design changes after the print job has already started
For a return or exchange:
  • Items needs be in original condition
  • Please contact us within 7 days of delivery
  • Provide photos of the issue

We'll try our best to assess and arrange a replacement, refund or an alternative solution

For any concerns about your order, please contact us at info@cloud9tshirt.com and we'll work to resolve the issue.

You can reach us at:
  • Email: info@cloud9tshirt.com
  • Phone: 647 822 3717 (as a small business, our hours vary and calls often go unanswered — texting or emailing is usually the most reliable way to reach us for any questions or inquiries)
  • Address: 951 Denison St Unit 9, Markham, ON L3R 3W9
  • Hours: Mon - Fri, 10AM to 4PM

Due to and since the COVID pandemic, our opening time have been changed to flexi-hours and take all order remotely through email or our t-shirt design tool. Please note we don't have walk-in service anymore and have change into a e-commerce apparel detailing shop.