Tidalwave was born out of bringing production in-house for their e-commerce brand. While Bradley & Matt may have underestimated the gravity of this endeavor, they found greater value in the opportunities that came with it, propelling them to becoming the 37th fasting growing business in 2025. Topics of discussion include: grass being greener on the other side, having sales before skills, 3PL & fulfillment, utilizing twitter/X, focusing your customer profile, automations and equipment, pr...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 270
Screen printer turned apparel manufacturer, Josh has been designing his own graphic tees since elementary school. After college and a brief stint in the corporate world, he went back to printing and even ran a shop of his own, but he found the perfect fit for himself once he’d created his own garments. Topics of discussion include: sourcing, finding your lane, shifting from a service business to a product business, saying no, finding good partners, manufacturing in the USA, dye houses, tariffs, ...
Aug 04, 2025•2 hr•Ep. 269
Zach is a longtime listener, and let’s just say he’s been taking notes over the years. We got his story of starting from the ground up, to eventually buying his local print shop. At about the halfway mark, armed with a long list of questions for your favorite screen printing podcast, the roles are reversed, and Dylan gets in the hot seat. Topics of discussion include: college fraternity and sorority markets, buying a print shop, hiring consultants, work life balance, weaknesses, error rates, sho...
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 268
Here to provide a reality check on our outbound sales strategies, we brought in the master himself, Kevin Baumgart from Sales Ink. Brad Oliver from Culture Apparel, and Shirt Show’s very own Dylan Gilligan are sharing their experiences and strategies that were born out of personal experience, and developed through consultation with Kevin. Topics of discussion include: The Brat Boys, what’s special about the printing industry, outbound and inbound sales strategies, implementing CRM systems, getti...
Jul 21, 2025•2 hr 27 min•Ep. 267
Brad Czarnowski is back, now with his new shop, Industrious Print Studio. Nick from Forward Printing is in the guest-host spot, and we’re talking fresh starts, and brighter futures. Topics of discussion include: Stepping your game up for dream clients, the clean slate that comes with starting over, transitional stresses, local sales strategies, finding your place in your community, and baseball.
Jul 14, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 266
People’s perception of OSHA falls somewhere between a guardian angel and the boogeyman. Gary is here to give it to us straight, and help us in walking the path of OSHA compliance. Topics of discussion include: Sustainability, osha misconceptions, injury procedure, inspections, common violations, make ready, the danger of ‘real quick’, ergonomics, electrical safety, health tests, respirator and face mask requirements, inspection etiquette, what to do if you receive a citation, and a whole lotta m...
Jul 07, 2025•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 265
Former litigator turned HR superhero, Adriane is here to school us on everything HR, and what we can do to set our shops up for success. Topics of discussion include: Best practices for implementing HR, culture, disciplinary policy, data and documentation, Printing United Alliance, hiring practices, managing toxic employees, conflict resolution, wage compression, managing expectations, and Terminator.
Jun 30, 2025•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 264
Megan & Ryan are the third generation behind P&M Apparel. While they didn't plan on taking over the family business, the sibling duo is building upon P&M's legacy and navigating their way towards a bigger and brighter future. Topics of discussion include: Growing up in a print shop, Flyover Con, corporate accounts, in-person sales tactics, building community, profitability, shop owner struggles, vulnerability, and 3am panic attacks.
Jun 23, 2025•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 263
Sean's been printing for well over twenty years, and adapting to new technologies for just as long. Whether it's with his digital squeegees, dtf printing, or the og screen printing we all know and love, Sean and Print Hybrid are only interested in producing one thing for their customers... Solutions. Topics of discussion include: Pyramid schemes, living by the ‘If you build it, they will come’ philosophy, having too much or to little shop space, getting into digital printing, the progress of tec...
Jun 16, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 262
After founding a company specializing in custom on demand tech products, Jason went on Shark Tank, sold his business, and retired… for about 6 weeks until boredom sent him onto his current venture: Rupt. Hell bent on disrupting the promo product space for goodness' sake, Jason's victory lap in this industry is bound to leave a lasting and positive impact. Topics of discussion include: The clutter in the promo industry, developing new tech and product, second life packaging, having global product...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 261
Drue Nickerson was last on Shirt Show nearly 200 episodes ago. After 15 years of flying the 320 flag, he decided to fully rebrand to Riptide. We dug into reasons why, and how things are looking on the other side of this overhaul, and where he plans to be in the future. Topics of discussion include: our outbound sales strategies, being perceived as too big for small orders, virtual assistants, trademarking, LinkedIn, embroidery, learning to use new equipment, having your shop run without you, set...
Jun 02, 2025•2 hr 26 min•Ep. 260
Shawn Wright is not your average guy from small town Idaho, and Brigade is not your average business (or businesses) either. A seasoned electrician turned surfboard shaper, has found himself on the front page of many news publications for standing behind one idea: Everyone is welcome. Topics of discussion include: Hats, small towns, the entrepreneurial bug, the addiction of running a business, taking orders that are out of your league, Nonnas, family first policy, managing production of a viral ...
May 26, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 259
When it comes to printing at Heck Press, the more difficult the job, the better. Sarah is truly in this for the love of the print game, and the victories waiting on the other side of the stresses that come with it. Topics of discussion include: Hiking, janky first presses, being head strong, touring America, working with bands, printing and growing a shop while pregnant, Norway, the incredible Mel, letting go, printing water based, dabbling in plastisol, getting vibrant prints, trains, separatio...
May 19, 2025•2 hr 10 min•Ep. 258
After finding interest in printing through his biking community, Graeme hopped into the craft, and has been cruising through the print life at his own comfortable pace ever since. Topics of discussion include: Government grants, business difficulties in Canada, applying the discipline of cycling into printing, lists and time management, setting communication boundaries, marketing strategies, due dates, making your shop work for you, defining success, and Canada’s finest.
May 12, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 257
The state of the used equipment marketplace can be looked at as a barometer for our industry, and this space has flooded as of late due to the tough decisions shops are having to make. From needing equipment upgrades, downsizing, or unfortunately having to liquidate their assets altogether. Nicole Pape from Embellishr has a real pulse on this space, so we had to touch base with her and get some insight. Topics of discussion include: stress pains, rapid growth, information gatekeeping, bank repos...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 256
It’s been a LONG time since our guest and co-host have been on Shirt Show, and it’s time to catch up! With Nate from Hansen screen printing in the co-host seat, we’re chatting with Jeff from EverGood Supply and evaluating the last 5 years of business, and what’s ahead. Topics of discussion include: Theme parks, working with family, 2nd shifts, fulfillment logistics, starting a business during economic hardship, getting an auto right off the bat, staying small, real estate investments, food truck...
Apr 28, 2025•2 hr 21 min•Ep. 255
Lee Stuart is back again, but this time he's in the co-host seat. It's been a long time coming, but we're stoked to be talkin' shirt with Mr. President himself, Ross Hunter of ROQ. This monster of an episode will surely put you at ease regarding the state of the industry, grow your brain a few sizes, and pump you up with so much motivation that you could run through a brick wall. You'll see. Topics of discussion include: Lee’s new space and DTF venture, AI customer service, travel pains, new equ...
Apr 21, 2025•2 hr 48 min•Ep. 254
The Ashleys truly do what they love, and their work is something special. Pulling inspiration from culture and fashion of yesteryear, their pieces truly stand out in a crowd, and the passion put into their work is undeniable. Co-hosted with Sammy from Branded Threads, we had a great conversation that went off the rails a time or two, but a good time was had nonetheless. Topics of discussion include: Universal vs Disney, tariffs, 90’s fashion and wolf shirts, thrifting, custom distressed and dye ...
Apr 14, 2025•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 253
Angel, a New York native who moved to Australia 11 years ago after playing the Sydney map on Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater Underground 2, chose printing over plumbing and has never looked back. His boutique, Halo Print Co has become a staple in their community by prioritizing customer experience, education, and playing the long game. Topics of discussion include: Australia’s habitability, passion projects, coffee inks & dyes, working at AS Colour, ordering direct, software headaches, focusing on sa...
Apr 07, 2025•2 hr 15 min•Ep. 252
The world is not enough, but Brandon & John are doing their darnedest to make it enougher with Twine Graphics. Branding and design are essential pillars in the shirt game, and the ability to execute their production is paramount. Get in the weeds with us, Twine, and Seth from R&S Printing, and let’s talk shirt. Topics of discussion include: Sim process printing, cautious growth, coming up with your business name, rolling with the punches, leveraging your printing services by running a re...
Mar 31, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 251
Our guest and co-host both fell in love with the art side of this industry first, and we got to dissect how their entry point shaped their perspectives on operating their businesses. With Dave sticking to design, and Tim falling deeper into the craft of screen printing as a whole, this was a fun discussion to have. Topics of discussion include: Shops shutting down, Dylan’s unique relationship with Dave(his longest standing client), Pantone vs bucket colors, reprints, public speaking events, cryp...
Mar 24, 2025•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 250
We’ve got Frank and David from Stahls’ to fill us in on their company’s 90 year history, educate us on their going ons of today, and what they’re working on for tomorrow. Topics of discussion include: Keeping custom designs fresh for long standing clients, integrating ai more and more, the varying quality of DTF, common heat printing mistakes made by decorators, the importance of information and resource availability, post press hacks, dimensional patches, fulfill engine, and deep sea diving. Co...
Mar 17, 2025•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 249
Daniel Parente's introduction to screen printing was made while he was running his paintball & skate shop. Needing a better solution to their merch issues, he took matters into his own hands and dove in head first. When his shop had to call it quits during the great recession, his next venture was born in Revival Print Co. Topics of discussion include: crooked prints, the importance of tiny orders, bootlegging, weathering economic hardships, word of mouth growth, printing a 70,000 tote bag o...
Mar 10, 2025•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 248
Had such a great convo with our guest Nick Robinson of Forward Printing, and guest-host Ricky Pridmore of Presstime Design. Nick climbed his way up the print ladder across multiple print shops in Arizona and California, and it was this hands on learning experience that built him up to become COO of Forward Printing. We sure covered a lot of ground picking each other's brains, and understanding our different approaches to running our shops. We left this podcast feeling stoked and inspired to get ...
Mar 03, 2025•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 247
It’s been some years since we last had these fellas on the pod, and a whole lot has happened in both of their shops since our last hang. So it’s time to catch up with Rodney from DLH, and Miles from Miles T-shirts. Topics of discussion include: 4 day work weeks, how fast shops evolve, hair plugs, upgrading equipment, disc golf, towel prints, updating your financials, moving your shop, third party HR, diving into outbound sales, CTS, Miles’ shirt reviews, garment printability, and Merch Madness....
Feb 24, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 246
Hello students, our teacher today is Shamus Barrett from Raider graphics, and class is in session. Your average high school screen printing class does not take place in a top of the line full size print shop, but Shamus' does. Teaching the same class he was once a student of, his full circle print career is something special. The world needs more of this. Topics of discussion include: Teaching current techniques on modern equipment, keeping a self funded operation, continuing education, sparking...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 245
When an engineer builds a press to help his son start a clothing line, there’s a high chance they may get bit by the print bug. In Jeremy Ray’s case, he fully changed careers and has been playing the print game with engineer cheat codes on ever since. This experience of entering the industry ‘late in the game’ lends to a unique perspective, and we’re happy we got to pick his brain and get his story. Topics of discussion include: Doing live podcasts, finding your audience, HOAs, shop mergers, mov...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 244
We've got Jordan from Daze Printing with us again for another wrap up, this time on ISS Long Beach 2025. Loved getting his perspective as a second time attendee. Little less daunting, more friendly and familiar faces, and great hangs and takeaways all around. Topics of discussion include: Dog farts, bowl cuts, travel strategies, content styles, Minnesota martinis, our favorite takeaways from the show, new gear, print shop camaraderie, fish and the role of your social media presence, and Dylan’s ...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 243
Starting off this Superpod on Day 2 with Tim from Chaos Ink in CO. Then going back in time to Day 1 with Anthony and Amber from Stitches Clothing in NV, and Sam from Branded Threads in PA. Covering topics like: auto reclaim, screen tech duties, consistency through automation, seeking growth, cross-training, customer service finesse, and eyeballing new equipment. Then we go back to the future into Day 2 with Jeff of NDesigns in TN. Covering topics like: Printing in the gift market, the Yellowston...
Jan 27, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 242
What started as a creative outlet, became a safe place to turn to as life became tumultuous. Needing more control of their lives, Angie and her husband Jeff dove head first into getting High Desert up to altitude, and they haven’t looked back. Topics of discussion include: An unusually busy January, finding business mentors, tracking your AOV, used equipment issues, visiting other shops, hiring family members, the Misogi challenge, treadmill trucks, and handwritten letters.
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 241
