Toronto-based Icy Studios is rapidly emerging as one of Canada’s leading custom apparel manufacturers and printing companies. Specializing in custom streetwear, the company offers a range of services including screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, embroidery, live printing, and even sticker production. The company has built a reputation for its high-quality apparel and rapid turnaround times, catering to a diverse clientele that includes corporate businesses, influencers, musicians, retail brands, and artists.
“We started as a vintage clothing brand in my dorm room back in 2018,” said Manik Kundra, founder and CEO of Icy Studios. “I was working at Subway at the time and eventually decided to drop out of school to pursue this business full-time. We initially focused on selling vintage clothing before transitioning into our own designs. We opened our first showroom in 2020, followed by a warehouse in 2021, and have been scaling ever since.”
The Evolution from Vintage to Custom Apparel Manufacturer
Icy Studios originally launched as a vintage clothing retailer but evolved into a full-scale custom apparel manufacturing company after facing challenges with sourcing products. “We had issues with sourcing apparel from China and India,” Kundra explained. “We were ordering containers full of faulty goods. Eventually, we realized that producing our own garments was the best way forward.”
Today, the company imports raw fabric from Asia and manufactures its own products from scratch in its Scarborough warehouse. This shift has allowed Icy Studios to ensure quality control and develop a strong reputation for craftsmanship. “Now, we’re creating apparel for some major corporations like Amazon and Microsoft, in addition to our own retail brand,” Kundra added.
High-Profile Collaborations and Expanding Reach
Icy Studios has collaborated with several high-profile clients, including La Maison Simons, Warner Music Group, and Microsoft. “One of our most exciting projects was working with Punjabi artist Diljit Dosanjh, who sold out Scotiabank Arena recently,” said Kundra. “We built his website, designed his merchandise, and handled production. Working with artists and major corporations has really helped us grow.”
The company’s streetwear aesthetic, combined with its expertise in apparel manufacturing, has positioned it as a go-to provider for custom merch in Canada. “Since we have a background in fashion design, brands trust us not just for manufacturing but also for creative direction,” Kundra noted.
A Unique Retail Experience: Live Printing and Interactive Showroom
Icy Studios offers a hands-on retail experience at its Markham showroom, allowing customers to create their own custom apparel on-site. “People come in groups like it’s an excursion—designing their own tees and engaging with our team,” said Kundra. The interactive nature of the showroom has made it a destination for those looking to create one-of-a-kind apparel pieces.
Leveraging Social Media for Explosive Growth
A major factor in Icy Studios’ success has been its strong social media presence. Kundra has grown the brand’s following to over 100,000 on both Instagram and TikTok by consistently sharing content. “I made a promise to a friend that if I ever missed a day of posting, I’d give them $50,” he said. “That really motivated me to stay consistent. Our TikTok has some videos with over 7 million views, and it’s all organic reach.”
This approach has played a key role in Icy Studios’ rise to nearly eight-figure revenue. “We didn’t start spending money on ads until our fourth year,” Kundra revealed. “Organic marketing on TikTok and Instagram has been our biggest driver of sales.”
Scaling Smartly, Expansion into the U.S.
The company is now setting its sights on the U.S. market, with a new warehouse opening in Miami this year. “90% of our sales now come from the U.S., so it made sense to establish a distribution center there,” Kundra explained. “Miami is a growing manufacturing hub, and being a port city makes logistics easier for us.”
Looking ahead, Kundra has ambitious plans for Icy Studios. “We’re planning to open our own factory in India,” he revealed. “Right now, we import fabric, but we want to go a step further—importing raw cotton and making garments from scratch. There’s an opportunity to build a factory that prioritizes ethical labor practices and produces high-quality apparel.”
Kundra has visited factories in India, China, and Vietnam and has seen firsthand the unethical labor practices in many locations. “I saw a lot of child labor and extremely low wages. If we build a factory in India, it would operate with fair wages and ethical working conditions,” he said.
The Family Business Element
Despite its rapid growth, Icy Studios remains a family business. “My parents were working traditional nine-to-five jobs until we opened our warehouse in Scarborough in 2021,” Kundra shared. “Once they saw how serious this was, they left their jobs to help me build the company. My mom handles payroll and finance, and my dad helps manage production. It’s been amazing to have their support.”
Competing with Fast Fashion Giants
Kundra also envisions competing with global fast-fashion giants like Zara and H&M. “We want to make apparel that lasts decades, not just a season,” he said. “We see a huge gap between the vintage clothes from the ’70s and ’80s that are still in great condition today versus the disposable fast fashion we see now.”
The company is expanding into new apparel categories, including denim and windbreaker jackets, with plans to eventually offer shoes and accessories. “The goal is to provide a full range of clothing so customers can be dressed head to toe in Icy Studios,” Kundra explained.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Kundra attributes his success to taking action early. “I started at 19, and that gave me time to learn and make mistakes. I always tell people—just start. You’ll learn more from doing than from four years of business school.”
For those looking to scale a business, he emphasizes the importance of social media. “Posting online is free. Every post is like a lottery ticket—one viral video can change your life. I think in the future, platforms might charge for posts, so people should take advantage of it while it’s still free.”
