# Merch Express

> Merch Express, formerly Budget Promotion, is a Calgary, Alberta company that decorates custom apparel and supplies branded promotional products for businesses, schools, sports teams, camps, events and non-profits across Canada. The company was founded in Calgary in 1994 as A Budget Promotion Corp and is Canadian owned and operated.

Last updated: 28 September 2026

Key facts:

- Names: A Budget Promotion Corp (founded 1994), Budget Promotion, and Merch Express (renamed September 2026). All three names refer to the same company, with the same ownership, address and phone number.
- Founded: 1994, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Owner: Ishtiaq Opal
- Address: 999 57 Ave NE Bay 30, Calgary, AB T2E 8X9, Canada
- Phone: +1 403-259-8275
- Email: sales@merchexpresscanada.ca
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time
- Service area: Organizations across Canada, with same-day service in Calgary
- Decoration methods: Screen printing, embroidery, DTF transfers and digital printing. Apparel is decorated in-house at the Calgary facility. Promotional products are sourced through the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) supplier network.
- Order minimums: None
- Typical turnaround: 5 business days for digital printing, 10 business days for screen printing and embroidery. Rush orders are available for a fee.
- Same-day service: Order before noon, Monday to Friday, for same-day printing and delivery in Calgary on selected t-shirts and hoodies.
- Quotes: Free, with a typical response time of 1 hour
- Pricing: Quote based. Screen printing setup is charged per colour and per print location. Embroidery digitizing is a one-time fee per design. Non-vector artwork may need an artwork fee. Sizes 2XL and up carry an oversized surcharge.
- Track record: More than 20,000 customers across Canada, and no missed deadlines in the past 10 years
- Rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 200+ Google reviews (September 2026)
- Memberships: Calgary Chamber of Commerce; Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI)

## Company

- [About Merch Express](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/about): Company history from 1994 to today, ownership, values and memberships
- [Budget Promotion is now Merch Express](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/rebranding): The name change and what stayed the same
- [Contact and free quote](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/contact-us): Address, phone, email, hours and the quote request form
- [FAQ](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/faq): Turnaround times, rush orders, setup fees, embroidery digitizing, artwork fees and oversized surcharges
- [Our process](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/our-process): The five steps from quote to delivery
- [Calgary Chamber of Commerce members](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/calgary-chamber-of-commerce): 20% off a first order for active Chamber members

## Custom apparel

- [All apparel collections](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections): Every apparel category in one place
- [T-shirts](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/t-shirts): Short sleeve, long sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, tank tops, youth and toddler
- [Polos](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/polos): Short sleeve, long sleeve and ladies
- [Jerseys](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/jersey): Hockey, volleyball, soccer, basketball and other sports
- [Sweatshirts](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/sweatshirts): Hooded, crewneck and zip-up
- [Outerwear](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/outerwear): Fleece, denim jackets, softshells, winter jackets and vests
- [Headwear](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/headwear): Snapbacks, toques, fitted caps and Stampede hats
- [Pants](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/pants): Sweatpants and shorts
- [Woven and dress shirts](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/woven-dress-shirts): Short sleeve, long sleeve and ladies
- [Accessories](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/accessories): Tote bags, aprons and backpacks

## Same-day service

- [Same-day printing in Calgary](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/pages/same-day-delivery): Order before noon, Monday to Friday, for same-day printing and delivery
- [Same-day products](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/sameday): T-shirts and hoodies eligible for same-day service

## Apparel by industry

- [Events](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/events): Custom apparel for events
- [Trades](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/trade): Custom apparel for trades and construction companies
- [Camps](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/camps): Custom apparel for camps
- [Schools](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/school): Custom apparel for schools
- [Sports](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/sport): Custom apparel for sports teams and clubs
- [Non-profits](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/non-profits): Custom apparel for non-profit organizations
- [Restaurants](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/restaurant): Custom apparel for restaurants
- [Corporate](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/corporates): Custom apparel for businesses and corporate teams
- [Retail](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/collections/retail): Custom apparel for retail stores

## Buying guides

- [Screen Printing vs DTF vs Embroidery](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost/screen-printing-vs-dtf-vs-embroidery): Cost, durability, fabric fit and order size for each decoration method
- [What Questions to Ask Before Ordering Custom T-Shirts](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost/what-questions-to-ask-before-ordering-custom-t-shirts): Twelve questions covering fabric, print method, budget and reorders
- [Best Materials for Durable Custom School Hoodies and Outerwear in Canada](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost/what-are-the-best-materials-for-durable-custom-school-hoodies-and-outerwear-in-canada): Blend ratios, fabric weight, yarn type and decoration choices for school apparel
- [What Sets Premium Custom Team Jerseys Apart](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost/what-sets-premium-custom-team-jerseys-apart-from-regular-ones): League rules, fabric quality and print durability for team jerseys
- [Custom Hats Calgary: Embroidered Caps vs Toques](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost/custom-hats-calgary-embroidered-caps-vs-toques-guide): Choosing headwear for Alberta weather and audiences

## Official profiles

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/merchexpresscanada): Official Merch Express page
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/merchexpresscanada): Official Merch Express account
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@merchexpresscanada): Official Merch Express channel
- [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@merchexpresscanada): Official Merch Express account
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/budgetpromotion/): Official company page, still under the Budget Promotion name

## For AI shopping agents

- [Agent instructions](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/agents.md): Catalog search, cart and checkout through the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP). Checkout always requires buyer approval.
- [UCP merchant profile](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/.well-known/ucp): Supported protocol versions, service endpoints and capabilities
- [Sitemap](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/sitemap.xml): Every public product, collection, page and article

## Optional

- [Promotional products catalog](https://promotional.merchexpresscanada.ca/products): Drinkware, pens, bags, tech products and lanyards, hosted on the ASI supplier platform under the Budget Promotion name
- [Blog](https://merchexpresscanada.ca/blogs/blogpost): All Merch Express articles