Afleveringen
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The differences in capabilities and offerings between a print shop and promo product shop are getting blurrier by the minute. This week we brought in Stein Shi from xTool and Bev Pennington of Soul & Grace Designs to talk about the growing crossover between laser engraving and garment decoration, and where this kind of equipment actually fits in a modern shop. Topics of discussion include: how xTool grew from education into the creator space, the plug-and-play feel of the equipment, expanding into DTF, built-in maintenance tools, real-world production capabilities, the demo program, live events, UV printing, consumables, community engagement, and Pennywise.
Check out xTool: https://www.xtool.com/products/xtool-apparel-printer-a-new-era-of-apparel-printing/?ref=mtygjlhc&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=goaffpro&utm_term=5306
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The band dude to print dude pipeline is real, and the path is usually pretty predictable… but Luke took a little detour in between. Before landing at Real Thread, he built a career at Publix that gave him an outside the box perspective on this industry. Not only has it helped him thrive in his role as Director of Operations, but it also made for a great conversation. Topics of discussion include: Apparel Decoration Summit, having fresh eyes on operations, applying outside wisdom into a different industry, being an engaging leader, how culture affects productivity, overestimating your own capacity, self-auditing your life, trading one bottleneck for another, finding a balanced approach to management, utilizing AI, The Midnight, and Toy Story 5.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Building a business is a lot like going to the gym. You get stronger with every rep, and if you’re doing something wrong… you’re in for a world of hurt. Cody Klimper got into this industry through the fitness world, and his journey has been full of HARD lessons, long hours, and plenty of reps. Topics of discussion include: vlogging, international shipping, growing local business, building a fitness apparel brand, going out on his own, getting burnt by partnerships, learning screen printing and embroidery, used equipment nightmares, taking risks, working after hours, manufacturing blanks, shiny object syndrome, and people standing.
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Josh NSFW Wheeler is back on the pod to catch us up on what he’s been up to for the last 5 years, how his shop has evolved, and how he’s ensuring SURVIVAL in this business. Topics of discussion include: Keeping it simple, automation, prioritizing quality, maintaining relationships, the Jerry Maguire approach, maintaining your humanity in business, Righteous Gemstones, and tRuStInG tHe UnIVeRsE.
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Dave's back, and he's here to stop fulfillment from keeping us up at night. We walk through a bunch of real-world scenarios, from shops looking to scale, to shops just trying to keep their heads above water, and how Fulfill Engine can help us take back control of our business. Topics of discussion include: FESPA, social media glory days, experiential marketing, print media marketing, getting creative with printing, fulfillment headaches, failing, being supportive and collaborative with your peers, maintaining balance in your life, and hobbits.
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Raise your hand if you've ever spent an unreasonable amount of time hunting down product images, making mockups, or trying to convince an online store to look the way it does in your head... same here. Seddi was originally built to create 3D models of fabrics and garments for the fashion industry, but somewhere along the way they realized their tools could help printers and decorators work smarter. Julianne and Harrison are here to share how the company got started, and how they're collaborating with printers to help make our wildest dreams come true. Topics of discussion include: auto mockups, tech packs, online stores, turning physical fabric into digital fabric, the importance of collaboration, and good old-fashioned survival reality TV.
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TeeJay is a certified shirt head. Print Engineer at Pine Printshop by day, and your friendly neighborhood garage printer after hours. His enthusiasm for this craft is infectious, and while his story has only just begun, it's pretty damn good so far. Topics of discussion include: Graphic design education, 4 day work weeks, Dads, his journey to becoming lead printer at Pine Print Shop, finding out management isn’t for everybody, painful lessons in sales, learning the business beyond printing, printing with water based inks, the bandana market, gatekeepers, appreciating automation, and Mind Freak.
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Jared has had a long career in screen printing, which was always the plan from the start. From growing the family business at GSG, to eventually selling the company, and now diving back into the print world with ROQ, Jared has seen this industry from a lot of different angles. So naturally… we unpacked a bunch of them. Topics of discussion include: shop scooters, business finances, growing and operating a family business, golf and business, flexible manufacturing, listening to customer input, the importance of industry events, taking ownership of your workspace, the painstaking process of selling your business, finding like-minded people, being vulnerable, good culture, and being a real person.
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SUPERBASE 2026 TICKETS: https://shirtshowofficial.com/pages/superbase-2026
You’ve probably seen Dan’s work a million times without even realizing it. Lincoln Design Co. has been a favorite of ours for a long time, and it was really cool hearing how Dan came up through SoCal surf and skate culture before going on to build a studio that’s worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. Running a creative business in today’s climate isn’t easy, and Dan was kind enough to share his approach.
Topics of discussion include: working live events, getting started as a designer for DC Shoes, going freelance and starting his own design studio, building a design team vs hiring freelancers, pitching to clients, knowing your market, leveraging your own brand, The Chop Up, making books, fostering good company culture, and surf robbers.
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SUPERBASE 2026 TICKETS: https://shirtshowofficial.com/pages/superbase-2026
There’s been a lot of turmoil and mental health issues with printers and shop owners in our community as of late. This podcast is just two printers sharing their personal experiences, and what they’re seeing and hearing from their peers. Bottom line, you’re not alone. Topics of discussion include: Long drives, business plateaus in our industry, stress and uncertainty, the experience of closing shop, how business affects family and relationships, commiserating with peers, counseling, how John found his way back into the industry, post tear clarity, isolating yourself from your company culture, shop music, SUPERBASE ’26, and zombie apocalypse plans.
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SUPERBASE 2026 TICKETS: https://shirtshowofficial.com/pages/superbase-2026
Printer turned digitaler, Brian Richards is here to provide perspective from the other side. And yes, *deep sigh* the machines have gotten even better. Topics of discussion include: education fails, Brian growing and selling his print shop in his 20s, moving away to work at Ryonet, leading sales and marketing for ROQ US, the depressing yet exciting reality of digital printing, the cultural disconnect between digital and traditional printing, footwear decoration, and scannable prints.
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SUPERBASE 2026 TICKETS: https://shirtshowofficial.com/pages/superbase-2026
Zach Achorn is EVERYWHERE, but today the Can of Corn himself is back on the pod to fill us in on his latest endeavors that he’s jumped into head first. Topics of discussion include: Suitcase living, being an industry sponge, fitness, becoming a ROQ tech, learning your personal impact on your business, how shop processes affect hiring and firing, dream shop and dream lifestyle compatibility, print education, Print Plugz, helping other shops grow, not fearing failure, the importance of having a van, and Lola Bunny.
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SUPERBASE 2026: https://shirtshowofficial.com/pages/superbase-2026
After chatting here and there over the years, it was awesome to finally sit down and get to know Bruce from Kong Screen Printing. He’s got things seriously dialed right now with a great team (that he’s clearly proud of), strong sales systems, and expanded offerings that have leveled up production without breaking it. He and his business partner Ryan have come a long way from the co-op they cut their teeth in.
Prepare to mentally touch grass with this feel-good story.
Topics of discussion include: a strong first quarter, outbound sales, rethinking SEO and Google Ads, successfully implementing promo products, Craigslist presses, the Austin Screen Printers Co-op, partnerships, moving to China to teach English, misprint policy, using Seddi for visual mockups, adding embroidery, knowing where you want your business to grow, Shark Tank, customer experience, and neck meat.
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Stoked to say we are FINALLY joined by Ryan Moor (yeah… that Ryan Moor) of Ryonet, Allmade, MADE Lab, and about a hundred other things you’ve probably benefited from whether you realize it or not. Sure, we dip into his origin story and the wild ride he's been on since starting screenprinting.com, but what’s Shirt Show without diving headfirst into life talk and feelings, ya know? Co-hosted with our favorite Dewey Halpaus of Light Thriller, this one’s been a long time coming. LET’S GO! Topics of discussion include: Dewey’s door-to-door adventures, approaching people you look up to, DIY band days, helping others succeed, the early days of Ryonet, starting new businesses, an entrepreneur’s perspective, planting seeds, developing content, sharing your failures, starting Allmade and MADE Lab, bringing education to trade shows, The Rudy Press, health hacks, and Goo Goo Dolls.
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Daddy’s home! Stoked to finally get Dave Eggers from Multicraft on the pod, and it was well worth the wait. With a jaw dropping career path spanning military, law enforcement, and even dog food, he somehow landed exactly where he belongs in the print world. He’s got stories, he’s got experience, and he’s here to help. Buckle up. Topics of discussion include: Business picking back up, networking IRL, referral programs, his time working in Chicago PD and going undercover, deep diving into industry history and knowledge, helping for the sake of helping, vetting manufacturers, industry politics, equipment innovations, Multicraft’s print shop, custom ink mixing, dip tank etiquette, product testing, and Dave’s 4 hour commute.
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So, a diesel tech and a graphic designer walk into the e-commerce space and buy a frickin laser… Full disclosure, Brandon & Hailey sent over THE BEST care package full of promo products that they design and create in-house. No joke, it was seriously impressive. So we had to get them on here and get their story, and unpack their approach to how they elevate their product. Topics of discussion include: changing careers, moving all over the country, their thoughtful approach to promo products, trending items, expanding your service offerings, setting a cap for your business growth, financial planning, low quantity vs bulk orders, outbound leads, diving into apparel, and takeout.
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This week we’re joined by Cassie Green, who found her way into this industry through an unlikely place: Journalism. It was awesome hearing how she navigated her way through industry publications, to helping develop one of her own with Apparelist. Topics of discussion include: travel fatigue, blogging, imposter syndrome, finding trustworthy sources, vulnerability, shaking things up, getting support, Printing United Alliance, to linkedin or not to linkedin, the fear of failure, and songs to die to.
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EPISODE FRICKIN 300 BABY! Stoked to ring in this momentous occasion with Dave Swart from New Buffalo. A legendary shop, a legendary dude, you're gonna love this one. Topics of discussion include: Going from IT to learning production, how company culture changes, the print truck, live events, opening a shop in Honduras, printing for major brands like Disney and Nike, getting acquired by Gildan, screen printing variables, getting the New Buffalo band back together, Ted Lassoing life, goals for 2026, insurance claims, and bike rides.
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What started as a speed to lead solution for his father’s embroidery business, is now a fully fledged ai agent solution. RD and his company Questom may be relatively new to our industry, but we’ve got a feeling they’re about to become a household name for a lot of shops out there. Topics of discussion include: Starting in the tech industry, common correspondence pitfalls, the rapid advancement of ai agent capabilities, co-founder tinder, trade shows, different uses of the agents, the onboarding process, a walkthrough demo of the custom ai agents, best practices, and rookie mistakes.
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Marshall Atkinson is an industry veteran. He needs no introduction. We’ve been talking about having him on for a while now, and today we stopped talking about it and started - well, talking. We dove into his journey that led him to becoming the industry vet we all know today, and the important pillars he drives home with the shops he consults. Topics of discussion include: Falling into printing at architecture school, bridging the gap between the art dept and production, becoming a consultant, common shop shortcomings, recording data and learning from your data, sales, how the industry is shifting, customer expectations, and Marshall’s new (and free) book ‘2026 Thinking’.
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