Apparel decorators and vendors gathered at The New Port Theater in Newport Beach, California, November 4-6 for Print Hustlers Conference 2023, hosted by MADE Laboratory. Attendees took part in Printavo and Inktavo User Summits at Liquid Graphics, engaged in a day and a half of speaker sessions emceed by Justin Lawrence of Oklahoma Shirt Company, and received a behind-the-scenes tour of Bella + Canvas’ Commerce, California, facility. Next year’s event is scheduled for November 2-4, 2024, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Click through the slideshow for key takeaways and photos from the three-day event
Apparel decorators and vendors gathered at The New Port Theater in Newport Beach, California, November 4-6 for Print Hustlers Conference 2023, hosted by MADE Laboratory. Attendees took part in Printavo and Inktavo User Summits at Liquid Graphics, engaged in a day and a half of speaker sessions emceed by Justin Lawrence of Oklahoma Shirt Company, and received a behind-the-scenes tour of Bella + Canvas’ Commerce, California, facility. Next year’s event is scheduled for November 2-4, 2024, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Click through the slideshow for key takeaways and photos from the three-day event
Steven Farag of Campus Ink’s session “Automagic” focused on leveraging technology to scale, stabilize, and make money. You can do this by increasing revenue (sell more of something), increasing gross profit (make more money in what you’re selling), and decreasing overhead expenses. He says the top three apps you should have in your business are Front, Slack, and Notion, and you should be automating Google Reviews.
Steven Farag of Campus Ink’s session “Automagic” focused on leveraging technology to scale, stabilize, and make money. You can do this by increasing revenue (sell more of something), increasing gross profit (make more money in what you’re selling), and decreasing overhead expenses. He says the top three apps you should have in your business are Front, Slack, and Notion, and you should be automating Google Reviews.
“Your factory’s level of quality should meet or exceed the highest customer standard that you have,” said Jeffrey Paul, Youngone. “The level of quality has to be the same every time.”
“Your factory’s level of quality should meet or exceed the highest customer standard that you have,” said Jeffrey Paul, Youngone. “The level of quality has to be the same every time.”
“Ninety nine percent of people who receive promo products have kept them,” said Kevin Walsh, PPAI and Showdown Supplies. “The connection between a brand and a consumer creates an emotional bond.” Do you offer promo products? Consider outsourcing if your clients continue to request branded merchandise and SWAG bags.
“Ninety nine percent of people who receive promo products have kept them,” said Kevin Walsh, PPAI and Showdown Supplies. “The connection between a brand and a consumer creates an emotional bond.” Do you offer promo products? Consider outsourcing if your clients continue to request branded merchandise and SWAG bags.
Steven Farag of Campus Ink, Kevin Oakley of Stoked On Printing, and Max Hellmann of Family Industries took the stage for a DTF panel moderated by Ryan Moor, MADE Laboratory. “DTF is a full-time job,” said Steven. His team will order 200 transfers just for redundancy because they can’t always trust their machines. “Unless you’re spending $7K-plus on transfers, don’t even consider buying a machine,” he said. “The barrier to entry is very low with only a heat press because you don’t have to scale out a screen printing department.” Kevin recently scaled back on DTG, replacing it with DTF. He says DTF is great for polyester, print on demand, and one-piece minimum, but the machines are very finicky. “You or your staff need to be well-versed in the technology,” he said. When asked what’s needed, he responded: “Manufacturing. We need true winners in this space.” Max got rid of DTG due to the printing technology not working on some substrates. His company now outsources 100 percent of its DTF transfers to Supacolor, spending $1 million per year. He’s not sure if or when he’ll bring equipment in-house due to staffing and training concerns.
Steven Farag of Campus Ink, Kevin Oakley of Stoked On Printing, and Max Hellmann of Family Industries took the stage for a DTF panel moderated by Ryan Moor, MADE Laboratory. “DTF is a full-time job,” said Steven. His team will order 200 transfers just for redundancy because they can’t always trust their machines. “Unless you’re spending $7K-plus on transfers, don’t even consider buying a machine,” he said. “The barrier to entry is very low with only a heat press because you don’t have to scale out a screen printing department.” Kevin recently scaled back on DTG, replacing it with DTF. He says DTF is great for polyester, print on demand, and one-piece minimum, but the machines are very finicky. “You or your staff need to be well-versed in the technology,” he said. When asked what’s needed, he responded: “Manufacturing. We need true winners in this space.” Max got rid of DTG due to the printing technology not working on some substrates. His company now outsources 100 percent of its DTF transfers to Supacolor, spending $1 million per year. He’s not sure if or when he’ll bring equipment in-house due to staffing and training concerns.
Rum Walla, Supacolor, asked “What is your ‘why?’” to the Print Hustlers’ audience. For Supacolor, it’s helping people grow. “Figure out what you do and what you stand for (your purpose) instead of simply selling your product,” he said.
Rum Walla, Supacolor, asked “What is your ‘why?’” to the Print Hustlers’ audience. For Supacolor, it’s helping people grow. “Figure out what you do and what you stand for (your purpose) instead of simply selling your product,” he said.
“There is AI that will replace, assist, and do things humans cannot do,” said Michelle Moxley.” Pay attention because it’s changing rapidly.
“There is AI that will replace, assist, and do things humans cannot do,” said Michelle Moxley.” Pay attention because it’s changing rapidly.
Kesney Muhammad of Big Printing shared a modern way to automate the sales process with package deals. Her “standard, premium, and luxury” packages create benefits like improved customer experience, faster quote turnaround, increased sales and profitability, and easier training. “Upgrades and customization is where the profit is,” she said.
Kesney Muhammad of Big Printing shared a modern way to automate the sales process with package deals. Her “standard, premium, and luxury” packages create benefits like improved customer experience, faster quote turnaround, increased sales and profitability, and easier training. “Upgrades and customization is where the profit is,” she said.
Keynote speaker Nigel Barker from “America’s Next Top Model” shared his journey of growing multiple, global business ventures during his career. “I’ve never waited for the next job. I’ve always looked,” he said, urging attendees to be forward thinkers and push for what they want.
Keynote speaker Nigel Barker from “America’s Next Top Model” shared his journey of growing multiple, global business ventures during his career. “I’ve never waited for the next job. I’ve always looked,” he said, urging attendees to be forward thinkers and push for what they want.
Sunday’s conference ended with a happy hour panel moderated by Cassie Green of the Apparelist. Top Quotes: “We built a company where we want to work.” - Eric Solomon, Night Owls “Because of COVID, we’re now picky with who we take on as clients. We’ve also scaled back and are working four 10s with a three-day weekend. We’re working less and making more money.” - Jessica Tillery, All Quality Graphics “You have to invest and hire good people. “You can’t do it all yourself.” - Justin Lawrence, Oklahoma Shirt Company
Sunday’s conference ended with a happy hour panel moderated by Cassie Green of the Apparelist.

Top Quotes:

“We built a company where we want to work.” - Eric Solomon, Night Owls

“Because of COVID, we’re now picky with who we take on as clients. We’ve also scaled back and are working four 10s with a three-day weekend. We’re working less and making more money.” - Jessica Tillery, All Quality Graphics

“You have to invest and hire good people. “You can’t do it all yourself.” - Justin Lawrence, Oklahoma Shirt Company
Nick Gawreluk of Print Profit kicked off the final day of the conference with a line that resonated with many attendees: “If we don’t make money, none of this matters.” He says the biggest issue with print shops is owners do not understand their costs and it’s a race to the bottom on pricing, so they’re not getting the profit they deserve. “Sales are vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is reality,” he said.
Nick Gawreluk of Print Profit kicked off the final day of the conference with a line that resonated with many attendees: “If we don’t make money, none of this matters.” He says the biggest issue with print shops is owners do not understand their costs and it’s a race to the bottom on pricing, so they’re not getting the profit they deserve. “Sales are vanity, profit is sanity, and cash is reality,” he said.
In Nick's “Stairway to Profit Heaven” session he said you should go back to the basics. Variable costs include materials, sales commission, shipping costs, and outside purchases; fixed costs are everything else.
In Nick's “Stairway to Profit Heaven” session he said you should go back to the basics. Variable costs include materials, sales commission, shipping costs, and outside purchases; fixed costs are everything else.
Print Hustlers’ attendees received a VIP tour of Bella + Canvas’ Commerce facilities, totaling 1.2 million square feet.
Print Hustlers’ attendees received a VIP tour of Bella + Canvas’ Commerce facilities, totaling 1.2 million square feet.
Tori Lowitz shared his history with the company and how it stands out among competitors due to size and fit. “Bella + Canvas was the first company to fit every single size,” he said.
Tori Lowitz shared his history with the company and how it stands out among competitors due to size and fit. “Bella + Canvas was the first company to fit every single size,” he said.
Eighty percent of fabric dying is completed in the Los Angeles area, which adheres to the strictest environmental regulations in the world.
Eighty percent of fabric dying is completed in the Los Angeles area, which adheres to the strictest environmental regulations in the world.
Cassie Stanczyk gave an overview of the cut and sew facility. While giving a background on the two founder’s history, she said “If there’s something outside of your wheelhouse, go for it.”
Cassie Stanczyk gave an overview of the cut and sew facility. While giving a background on the two founder’s history, she said “If there’s something outside of your wheelhouse, go for it.”
Some sewing is completed in the US, however the majority is done in Central America, with 7300-plus employees.
Some sewing is completed in the US, however the majority is done in Central America, with 7300-plus employees.
Megan Spire said the Commerce facility is “one of the largest and most technically advanced cutting centers in the western hemisphere.”
Megan Spire said the Commerce facility is “one of the largest and most technically advanced cutting centers in the western hemisphere.”
Between the Commerce location and a 371,000-square-foot facility in Alabama, Bella + Canvas operates 116 cutting machines.
Between the Commerce location and a 371,000-square-foot facility in Alabama, Bella + Canvas operates 116 cutting machines.