The ongoing trade tensions between the USA and Canada are heating up again, and this time, USA-Canada tariffs on imported goods are in the spotlight. With new duties being placed on thousands of critical products—including those crucial to the print shops and apparel printing industries—business owners on both sides of the border are bracing for impact.
For many DTF printers, screen printers, embroiderers, garment decorators, and branded merchandise suppliers, cross-border trade is essential. Whether it’s sourcing blank apparel, importing specialty printing materials, or fulfilling orders for international clients, these new tariffs could spell trouble. But just how bad will it get? And what can print shops do to stay ahead?
This article breaks down the key effects of the USA-Canada tariffs, how they could disrupt the printing industry, and what businesses can do to navigate the shifting trade landscape.
What The USA-Canada Tariffs Mean For Print Shops
When it comes to trade between the USA and Canada, print shops have long benefited from a steady flow of materials, equipment, and blank apparel moving across the border. But with tariffs now in play, that balance is shifting— and not in a good way.
At the heart of the issue is the increased cost of imported goods. Many blank apparel brands, printing substrates, and even inks are manufactured or distributed in Canada before making their way into the USA. With new tariffs tacked onto these items, the final price for American print shops could rise significantly. And it’s not just American shops feeling the pinch—Canadian decorators importing U.S. supplies for screen printing, DTF, and embroidery are also looking at higher costs.
For businesses operating on tight margins, these price hikes are no joke. Print shops that rely on bulk ordering from Canadian suppliers will now have to decide whether to eat the cost, pass it on to customers, or find alternative suppliers. The same goes for Canadian decorators buying American-made inks, transfer films, or equipment.
The real kicker? These tariffs don’t just impact costs—they can also create supply chain headaches. Delays at the border, fluctuating pricing from distributors, and uncertainty over which goods will be hit next could force print shops to rethink their ordering strategies. And with apparel trends moving fast, a delayed shipment of blanks or specialty transfers could mean lost sales.
How USA-Canada Tariffs Force Print Shops To Adjust
With the USA-Canada tariffs raising costs on key materials, print shops are facing a tough decision—absorb the hit or pass it on to customers. And let’s be real: most shops don’t have much wiggle room when it comes to pricing.
For years, decorators have relied on predictable costs for blank t-shirts, specialty inks, and heat transfers. But now, with tariffs driving up prices, that predictability is out the window. A roll of high-quality transfer film or a bulk order of blank hoodies that used to be a safe bet might now fluctuate in cost depending on how deep these tariffs cut.
So what’s the move? Some print shops are experimenting with tiered pricing models, where customers get different pricing based on order volume or turnaround time. Others are shifting their sourcing strategies—either looking for alternative suppliers outside of Canada and the USA or locking in bulk orders before costs rise further.
Another major shift? More shops are rethinking their minimum order quantities. With costs creeping up, smaller runs that were once profitable might not make sense anymore. Decorators are nudging customers toward larger bulk orders where the higher price can be spread out over more units.
And let’s not forget about automation. Print shops that use e-commerce platforms and automated pricing calculators are at an advantage here, as they can quickly adjust pricing to reflect the new tariff-driven costs without losing customers in the process.
Bottom line? The tariffs are forcing the industry to adapt fast. Whether it’s through smarter pricing, bulk sourcing, or tech-driven solutions, print shops need to stay ahead—or risk getting squeezed out by rising costs.
How Print Shops Can Future-Proof Amid USA-Canada Tariffs
With the USA-Canada tariffs disrupting supply chains and driving up costs, print shops need to think ahead. The businesses that survive—and thrive—will be the ones that make strategic moves.
So, what’s the game plan?
1. Diversify Your Supplier Network
If your shop relies on a single distributor for blanks, transfers, or inks, it’s time to expand your options. Look beyond Canada and the USA for alternative sources. Some decorators are exploring suppliers in South America and Asia to sidestep tariffs and stabilize costs. While international sourcing comes with its own challenges (shipping delays, import duties), it could be a long-term solution to avoid pricing volatility.
2. Lock In Pricing With Bulk Orders
Prices are shifting fast, and waiting too long to stock up could cost you. Some print shops are negotiating long-term contracts with suppliers to lock in pre-tariff pricing for a set period. Others are buying in bulk and warehousing key items like blank apparel, inks, and heat transfer materials to avoid sudden cost spikes.
3. Automate Pricing With DecoNetwork
With fluctuating costs, manually adjusting pricing on every job that can open you up to costly mistakes. Print shops can use DecoNetwork to automate pricing, ensuring margins stay intact without constant updates. DecoNetwork’s e-commerce platform integrates supplier catalogs, streamlines order processing, and dynamically updates pricing, allowing decorators to stay competitive even as tariffs impact material costs. By automating workflows and eliminating guesswork, DecoNetwork helps print businesses adapt to industry changes without slowing down operations.
4. Focus On Value, Not Just Price
Customers don’t just buy based on cost—they buy based on quality, service, and convenience. If materials cost more due to tariffs, offer premium products, unique print effects, or faster turnaround times to justify higher prices. Print shops that can position themselves as premium service providers rather than budget shops will have an easier time weathering the storm.
Adapting To The USA-Canada Tariffs In The Print Industry
The USA-Canada tariffs are shaking things up, and print shops on both sides of the border are feeling the pressure. Higher costs, supply chain delays, and pricing uncertainty are forcing garment decorators, screen printers, and branded merchandise businesses to rethink how they operate. But here’s the thing—this isn’t the first time the industry has faced challenges, and it won’t be the last.
The shops that adapt quickly will be the ones that come out on top. Whether it’s diversifying suppliers, locking in bulk pricing, or automating pricing with tools like DecoNetwork, the key is staying flexible and proactive. The market is shifting, but print businesses that focus on efficiency, smart sourcing, and customer value will keep thriving—tariffs or no tariffs.
At the end of the day, print shops are built to handle change. Those who embrace the challenge, fine-tune their strategies, and leverage the right tools will not only survive this tariff shake-up—they’ll find new ways to grow.
Want to future-proof your print business? Now’s the time to take action.
