Printavo PrintHustlers Podcast

Coltin Handrahan started Stay Golden Custom in his high school student council office on Prince Edward Island — Canada's smallest province — and he's been proving that geography is no excuse ever since. Fourteen years in, he runs a 12-person operation with a second location now open in Halifax and a third potentially on the way.

Jonathan Ornelas from Success Print Shop has been in the industry long enough to have big revenue years — and still wonder where the money went. In this honest, wide-open conversation, Jonathan walks us through a brutal March 2026, what he's doing differently in April, and the mental toll of riding the shop roller coaster while balancing a young family.

Alex Meiners is the co-founder of Family Industries, one of the most innovative shops in the decorated apparel industry. Based in LA, Family Industries does it all — from live printing experiences at the US Open and Apple Store events to bulk custom orders — and their secret weapon isn't a bigger press or a better supplier. It's the custom technology they've built in-house.

What would you do if you had to double your company in one year — without working more hours?In this episode, Steven and Bruce break down exactly how they'd approach doubling a print shop's revenue, and Steven shares the wild behind-the-scenes story of Campus Ink's March Madness hot market printing run — from chasing final four teams across the country to pulling 15-20K in sales out of a trailer in 3 hours.

Dom from Superior Ink is back for Part 2. In this episode, he answers 10 real questions from shop owners — covering what it actually took to grow to $5M in sales, the risks that nearly broke the business, why they turned off $10-15K/month in marketing spend, and how they built a production system that runs without the owner on the floor.

Dominic Rosacci of Superior Ink is back — and this time, the conversation goes deep. After relocating his entire manufacturing operation 90 miles from Denver to Fountain, Colorado, rehiring from scratch, and opening a satellite office to keep the culture intact, Dom sits down with Bruce and Steven to break down what's actually working, what he got wrong, and what he's still figuring out.

Jordan of Fast Threads is back for Part 2, and this one goes deep. After last week's episode on multi-location expansion and the Four Burners Theory, Bruce and Steven invited Jordan back to pull the curtain back even further — on how he actually runs the business day to day, where the gaps are, and what it would take to get to the next level.

Jordan Tollakson built Fast Threads in Montevideo, Minnesota — a town of 6,000 people — and has since expanded to three locations across rural Minnesota and South Dakota. In this episode, he sits down with Bruce and Steven to share how he blew past the ceiling that most small-town shop owners run into, and what it actually took to get there.

After 15+ years of running In the Zone Inc, Deanna and Josh Smith finally did what most print shop owners only dream about — they took a real two-week vacation. No day trips, no long weekends. Two full weeks away from the shop, exploring Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and glaciers. And it changed everything.

You say you value your team. You say sales is the priority. But if you looked at your calendar from yesterday — does it actually back that up?In this solo episode, Bruce shares a simple but eye-opening idea from a recent nutritionist podcast that applies directly to running a print shop: you make time for the things you value. The question is, are your actions matching your priorities?

What does it take to build a print shop that survives 40+ years of economic crashes, technological upheaval, and a global pandemic? Jedd Swisher — co-founder of Campus Sportswear and Steven Farag's longtime business partner — sits down with Bruce to share the raw, unfiltered story of how it all started in a basement in 1981 and how it's still standing today.

Nicole from Embellishr joins Steven and Bruce fresh off Impressions Long Beach to discuss the booming used equipment market in the decorated apparel industry. As the founder of the leading pre-owned screen printing equipment marketplace, Nicole shares insider knowledge on buying and selling used presses, dryers, and embroidery machines—plus what's driving the resurgence in analog screen printing equipment sales.

Weston Cotton of Custom Print Graphics joins Steven and Bruce to break down one of the most aggressive acquisition strategies in the decorated apparel industry. In just 9 months since buying his first contract print shop in May 2025, Weston has closed 3 acquisitions and is working on a 4th—building a roll-up strategy that's transforming how print shops consolidate and scale.

Matt McLellan from Apparel Lab joins Steven and Bruce to share his unconventional journey building a thriving DTG (Direct-to-Garment) print shop in Madison, Alabama—without ever touching screen printing equipment. Starting in the back room of his nutrition store in 2016, Matt has grown Apparel Lab into a multi-service operation proving you don't need to follow the traditional decorator path to succeed.

What would it take to grow a print shop from zero to $1 million in revenue? In this episode, Steven from Campus Ink teams up with Kevin Baumgart from Sales Ink to map out the complete playbook for scaling a decorated apparel business from day one.

Steven sits down with Daniel, Senior Product Manager at Roland DGA, for an in-depth conversation about Roland's entry into the DTF (Direct-to-Film) market and an ambitious mobile printing project that's pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the custom apparel industry.

As 2025 wraps up, it's the perfect time to reflect, reorganize, and plan ahead for your print shop. In this episode, Steven and Bruce discuss practical strategies for year-end shop organization, budgeting for 2026, and setting goals that actually stick.

In part 2 of our year-end conversation, Justin Lawrence and Steven Farag get deeply honest about the hardest parts of business ownership—from the loneliness of financial struggle to making tough decisions that saved their companies. They discuss the Thunder championship impact, 30% workforce reductions, knowing when to step back from trade shows, and why both are working to build businesses they could sell (but may not).

Join us for part 1 of our year-end conversation with Justin Lawrence (Oklahoma Shirt Company) and Stephen as they share their annual planning rituals, team bonus strategies, and the business metrics that transformed their shops. From implementing Traction EOS to discovering that 30% of revenue comes from email marketing, this episode is packed with actionable insights for print shop owners.

n this episode, we explore how print shop owners can apply "Unreasonable Hospitality" principles from Will Guidara's acclaimed book to transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary customer experiences. Learn why emotional connection matters as much as perfect execution, and discover practical ways to stand out in a competitive industry.

Looking to close out this year strong and set your print shop up for success in 2025? This comprehensive annual checklist covers everything you need to review, plan, and optimize your custom apparel business for the year ahead.

Nathan from Relentless Merch shares the complete journey of launching Atonal Headwear - from investing in inventory before making a single sale, to losing 4,000 hats to mold, to building a headwear brand while simultaneously running an print shop with 48 employees.

n this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce and Steven sit down with Miles from Miles T-Shirts (Springfield, IL) — a 25-year print shop owner who built a wildly successful niche business serving disc golf, apparel brands, and national clients.

This week on the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce and Steven break down every major moment from PrintHustlers Conf 2025 — live from Chicago. From AI tools that are reshaping production workflows, to Alex the Economist’s data-driven outlook for apparel decorators, to social media advertising insights that every shop needs… this episode is packed with takeaways you can apply immediately.

In this episode of the PrintHustlers Podcast, Kyle Robinson from Print My Threads shares how his shop transitioned from traditional screen printing to a DTF-powered hybrid model — and why that move led to record profits with a lean 9-person crew.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Oakley, co-founder of Stoked on Printing and MerchLoop, to unpack a story every print shop owner should hear.

This week on the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce Ackerman and Steven Farag break down the biggest news in the branded merchandise industry — the Inktavo and OrderMyGear merger.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce and Steven take a new approach — cold-calling three shop owners in the middle of their day-to-day hustle.

Steven shares insights from his visit to AS Colour’s New Zealand HQ, diving deep into their culture, automation, and leadership approach. Learn how founder Larry and CEO Clive transformed AS Colour into one of the most respected blank apparel brands worldwide — from automated warehouses to customer obsession.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce, Steven, and Brett visit Stahls’ HQ in Michigan for an exclusive look inside the brand-new SF1 Fulfillment Facility — powered by Fulfill Engine.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Stevenand Bruce sit down with Brett Bowden—founder of Printed Threads and programming lead for the 2025 Print Hustlers Conference—to talk shop.

What if your shop could do the same volume of work with fewer employees—and you didn’t have to answer every customer email yourself?In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with John from The Graphic Hive in South Williamsport, PA to talk about implementing lean manufacturing, using AI to streamline front-office tasks, and how his real estate strategy helps the business thrive.

In this solo episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce introduces a powerful mindset shift for business owners: the Signal vs Noise framework.If you’ve been feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin in your shop, this episode is for you. Bruce breaks down how identifying your “signal” tasks—the high-impact activities that actually move your business forward—and eliminating “noise” can help you reclaim your time, boost productivity, and avoid burnout.

What does it take to grow a print shop 4X in just four years? Matt Pasut, owner of Team Outfitters in Sarnia, Ontario, shares how he went from running a marketing agency to scaling a decorated apparel business by blending smart systems, Printavo, AI tools like ChatGPT, and deeply rooted community branding.

Thinking about selling your shop one day? This episode is for you. Steven and Bruce sit down with Professor Jeffrey Kurtz — their former business school instructor and now a seasoned business broker — to unpack what it really takes to sell a small business like a print shop.

Are you using AI in your print shop… or are you about to get left behind?In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Steven Farag sits down with Matt Marcotte (ScreenPrintGPT, Sound & Fury) to break down how AI is transforming every department in your shop — from sales and marketing to artwork and operations.

In this solo episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce shares 15 hard-hitting business lessons inspired by the book Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (the founders of Basecamp/37signals).

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Watson of Good Ink and Michigan Awesome to talk about one of the boldest moves a shop can make — scaling down to grow smarter.

What happens when a dream merger turns into a business nightmare? In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, Leeah Calvert of 918 Design Co. shares her incredible story of merging with another print shop — only to discover that their CFO wasn't telling the full story!

In this episode of Behind the Signs, we’re joined once again by Lee Stuart — screen printer, content creator, and now the founder of Rogue Transfers. Lee opens up about the mental health struggles he’s faced while growing his business, how he’s building systems to run his shop without him, and why he changed his mind about Direct-to-Film printing.

In this Print Hustlers Podcast episode, Justin Lawrence of Oklahoma Shirt Company reveals the human-first systems that helped grow his shop.From humble beginnings printing in a hallway to running a massive operation, Justin shares how emotional intelligence, team empathy, and dialed-in systems were the real growth levers—not just marketing or machinery.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with Justin Moore of Barrel Maker Printing and LivePrinting.com. Justin shares the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of building a powerhouse print shop—including how live printing became a massive revenue stream, why Profit First has guided his daily financial habits for 8 years, and the reality of launching side projects like Second Chance Totes.

DGI Apparel—the “Expedia of blanks”—just got shut down. So what happened… and what does it mean for your shop?In this solo Print Hustlers Podcast, Bruce and Steven break down the surprising shutdown of DGI Apparel, a software that allowed decorators to compare prices across major garment manufacturers. The platform had to close its doors—leaving shops with fewer sourcing tools and big questions about the future of tech in the industry.Steven also shares a detailed, honest guide to starting a screen printing shop in 2025 with just $10,000—what gear to buy, what to avoid, and how to actually build momentum without overextending.

ThreadX just wrapped—and Steven’s back with a full recap of what went down.Hosted at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort, ThreadX 2025 brought together shop owners, CEOs, and thought leaders for an intimate and powerful weekend.

Is your screen printing shop running you… or are you running it?In this episode, we sit down with Michael Richman, certified EOS implementer and Fabric.Ink coach, to talk about why so many shop owners feel stuck—and how the right systems can help them get unstuck. Michael shares lessons from building and selling a custom manufacturing business, the real-world application of EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), and how to stop working in your business and start working on it.

What if the secret to business success isn’t hustle—but calm?In Part 2 of our conversation with Andy Rudman of Shirt Kong, we dive deep into the emotional and practical evolution of running a shop for 16+ years. From legacy and burnout to customer service as marketing, Andy shares raw, honest lessons that every print shop owner needs to hear.🎧 Topics Covered: • What Andy wishes he knew on day one • The power of “We’ll do better next time” • Marketing budgets vs. customer experience • Identity and burnout as a business owner • The difference between sprinting and resting seasons • Building a calmer company (and why it matters)Whether you’re just starting or deep in the grind, this episode is a blueprint for building longevity in business—with less stress and more purpose.

What’s holding your shop back from the next level?In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with Andy Rudman, owner of Shirt Kong, to talk candidly about the real challenges screen print shops face when trying to grow—from leadership mindset to hiring strategies and building sustainable systems.Andy shares: • Why most owners wait too long to let go • What he learned from merging with another company • How to think about exits and partnerships • Lessons from managing 50+ employees • Why trusting your team isn’t optional—it’s essentialThis isn’t fluff—it’s hard-won insight from someone who’s been through the chaos of growth and came out on the other side.

If you don’t know your shop’s profitability until it’s too late… you’re not alone.In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we sit down with Nick Gowerluck, founder of PrintProfit.com, to break down the exact numbers every print shop owner needs to track—no fluff, just real data that can change your business.Nick shares: • The “contribution margin” method for real-time profit tracking • Why chasing sales isn’t always the answer • What your cash flow snapshot should look like weekly • How shops (from $200K to $500M) are using Print Profit • Why most dashboards are useless—and what to do insteadWhether you’re a one-person operation or managing a 30-person team, this episode gives you the profit playbook to grow smarter, not just bigger.

In this episode of the Print Hustlers Podcast, we’re joined by John Gibbs, founder of Logo Daddy Graphics, as he shares how he built a $3M+ print shop that doesn’t rely on him to operate day-to-day. From designing a business that supports his lifestyle to hiring the right team and maintaining profitability through market shifts, John gets real about what it takes to scale and step back.

Most shop owners are buried in the day-to-day. Orders, emails, interviews, production — it never stops. But what if just 1% of your time could change everything?In this solo episode, Bruce Ackerman breaks down a tactical, three-part framework for using 1% of your time each month (just 2 hours!) to slow down, think, and define where you actually want your business — and your life — to go.He shares his personal experience of realizing he was just “keeping water out of the boat” and not steering it. This episode is a practical roadmap for print shop owners and business leaders who feel stuck in the weeds.🧠 Key Topics: • Why 1% of your time could be your most valuable asset • The 3-part reflection process: Income, Role, Business Structure • How to define your “dream scenario” — and use it to make better daily decisions • What to actually write down and post in your office • Breaking out of reactive mode and regaining clarity🎧 Watch now and start designing a shop that serves your goals — not the other way around.#PrintHustlers #ShopOwnerTips #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #Printavo #ScreenPrintingBusiness #StrategicThinkingSponsors:GraphxSource: https://www.graphxsource.com/ Use PRINTAVOPOD for 50% off your first orderEasiway: https://www.easiway.com/ Multicraft: https://www.multicraftink.com/ Mention Printavo and get 10% off your first order!DGI Apparel: https://www.dgiapparel.com/ Print Profit: https://www.printprofit.com/