Upstate Podcast

Hey Guys! My guest this week is Cole Lundstrom. Cole is the owner of Shirt Agency in Los Angeles, California. I've been wanting to do a podcast with Cole for quite a while now. He has a print industry podcast called Building Your T-shirt Empire, which was one of the very few print podcasts available. His show helped inspire me to create this podcast. In this episode we talk about the huge cost differences in having a shop in a downtown city location vs a rural country area. We also dive into the different ways to offer merchandise fulfillment, Live Printing, and what we get out of making a Print Podcast. Be sure to check them out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/colel

Hey Guys! My guest this week is Sterling Maynard of Old South Print Co. Sterling owns a super rad print shop in Georgia. They do a ton of Southern Style tees that get all the finishing steps. Tags, Bags, UPC etc... Sterling is a good dude to talk to if you are looking to do that kind of thing. In this episode we talk a lot about working with College Groups and Licensing, Fulfillment Services, and tips and tricks of the trade. Be sure to check them out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/oldsouthprintco

Hey Guys! My guest this week is my buddy Brett Carlsen. Brett is a full time Photographer doing work for Getty Images, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and AP Images. Brett and I have a lot in common with our upbringing, and the areas that we lived in. In this episode we talk about the importance of determination and hard work, what it's like to be a professional photographer, Fast and Furious, Santa School, selling your soul, and do Youtube Thumbnails really matter.

Hey Guys! My guests this week are Brett Bowden and Seth Brewton of Printed Threads. It's always super fun to talk to guys that have had similar experiences. From playing in bands, working mundane jobs, to starting up a screen printing shop with your pals. In this episode we talk a lot about expanding our shops, playing in bands, cleaning moms, and sharing our love for the industry. Be sure to check them out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/printedthreads  

My guests this week are Daniel Petruccelli and Monica Amneus of Sage Screen Printing. I've had my eye on Sage for quite a while. Our shops have very similar styles and niche markets. I have to give props to Dan though on the sleeve prints. King of Sleeves as far as I'm concerned. In this episode we talk a lot about how to be happy with what you have and what you’re good at. Monica’s ability to balance being a badass tattoo artist and a customer service extraordinaire, and we also do a deep dive on Dan's ultra creative pick-up lines. Be sure to check them out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/sagescreenprinting T-Seps Training website we mentioned: https://t-biznetwork.com/t-seps/t-seps-training/

My guest this week is Jordan Kovatch of Mindzai Creative. Jordan is the Swiss Army Knife of screen printers with his hands in all parts of the operation. In this episode we talk about printing in Austin Texas, making merch for tattoo artists, and that having strong customer service is key to being successful. Be sure to check him out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/gooseprints

Hey Everybody and welcome to the Upstate Podcast. My guests this week are two super fun dudes. Ranger and Pulido from Norman Roscoe. These dudes are super fun to talk to, and they run a really rad print shop in Denton Texas. The mullet of print shops. Retail in the front and party, I mean printing in the back. Ranger and Pulido are my kind of people. We love art, music, and we took crazy risky leaps to get where we are today. In this episode we talk a lot about being adventurous with printing. Making our company culture fun because that’s the kind of people we are, focusing on our branding, and just how fun it is to be a screen printer.

My guest this week is my bearded bud, Josh Seacat of Lancaster Print House. LPH is a quality driven print shop for sure. I've always loved seeing what he makes because he is all about the craft of printmaking. Currently Josh has a home based print shop that is bursting at the seams. In this episode we get to chat about when is the right time to expand, what inks we use, screen mesh, and epic beards. Be sure to check him out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/lancasterprinthouse

My guest this week is Zach Newton of Newton Design Co. Zach and I have worked on a bunch of projects together not only because I love his design style, but because he’s easy to work with, and the most athletic person I know. In this episode Zach walks me through his career as a designer for Hallmark, and stepping into Freelance on Nights and Weekends. We also talk about how important it is to have top notch branding for yourself not only to look great, but to attract the clients you actually want to work with. Be sure to check him out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/znewton

My guest this week is a super rad dude, Shawn Flores. Shawn and I often chat about print methods or equipment tips and tricks, but one of the coolest things about Shawn is his wealth of knowledge on Band Merch and Touring Logistics. Before Acme started, Shawn was on the road for 9 years selling merch all over the world. Coordinating with the printers, selling at the shows and everything in between. Shawns niche market is printing for merch companies and record labels, so in this episode I get to pick his brain and find out where the hell I went wrong all those years ago when that was our main market as well. Be sure to check him out on Instagram: http://instagram.com/acmeprintco

Hey Everyone and welcome to the Upstate Podcast. This week I’m super excited to sit down and chat with a friend and customer of ours Woody Watts. Woody is the owner of Watts Creative Studios, and the head of Hill City Paranormal. Woody makes some pretty amazing TV commercials for his clients often including Sci Fi aspects. On his free time he loves diving into the paranormal with investigations, and creating his own film shorts. This podcast was always meant to be an outlet for me to chat with all kinds of creators, and woody is one of the best.In this episode we talk all about how Woody got into film making, but honestly we chat way more about paranormal stuff and Bigfoot. Be sure to check him out on Instagram @hillcityparanormal

In this episode, I get to talk to the man down under, Chris Merrell. Chris is the owner of Black Dog Ink from Australia. He has been printing for over 20 years. What originally caught my eye was how amazing Chris's halftones and separations came out. Black Dog Ink if for sure a shop to keep your eyes on. In this episode we talk about how he got started, crazy Australian creatures, and what it's like to be a student of screen printing. Be sure to check him out on Instagram @BlackDog_Ink

My guest this week is my buddy Jonathan Overmyer. Jonathan is the owner of Golden Press Studio as well as a window washing wizard. Golden Press originally caught my eye with their high quality posts on Instagram, but once I started chatting with Jon, I knew he was on to something awesome. Not only do they do killer printing, but they also do amazing design work and videography. The dudes at Golden Press are just straight up good honest people, and I'm glad to call them Friends. In this episode Jon talks about how he got started, but we also talk about investing in our employees which in turn grows our business.

My guest this week is the founder of Ryonet and Allmade, Ryan Moor. Ryan’s origin story starts out the same as most of the printers out there. “I was in a band... and I discovered screen printing.” Ryan went from playing Pop-Punk shows and making shitty wooden presses to growing one of the largest screen print supply companies out there. Ryonet makes it so easy for someone to learn how to print, buy all the supplies, and fall in love with this industry. Ryan is also one of the founders of Allmade. An Eco Friendly apparel line for printers, by printers. Allmade is taking a different approach to this wasteful industry by creating a shirt using recycled water bottles and organic cotton. This keeps Plastics out of our oceans and pesticides out of our clothing. I'm inspired by Ryan’s approach to business and marketing. Listen closely and learn a thing or two.

This week my guest is Jarrod Hennis. Jarrod is the owner of Rockford Art Deli. A screen printing shop that’s located smack in the middle of a retail store. You can go in to buy a Rockford tee, and watch the screen printing happen right in front of you. Jarrod is all about supporting his community, and doing his best to save the planet as well. From being one of the founders of Allmade, a t-shirt made from recycled plastic bottles, to donating 1% of all his earnings to environmental non-profits. Jarrod is a master of retail, and there is a lot that can be learned from him. Be sure to check out his Instagram @pirateninjaprintshop and his business page @rockfordartdeli

This week I get to talk to my buddy Zach Shuta. Zach is a world class designer working for companies like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Vans, Rebel 8, The Roosevelts (RSVLTS), Tom Segura, The King and the Sting, and the list goes on and on. Ive always loved Zach’s style and come to find out he grew up only 20 minutes away from me. Zach has been in the industry for many years. Be sure to check his stuff out on Instagram @zachshuta and visit his website ZachShutaInc.com

My guest this week is the Maverick Meg Clark. Meg is the owner, designer, and printer of all things FreakFly Designs. Meg and I talk about what it's like to start up a clothing line when you're in charge of the entire process. She hand draws the designs, screen prints the apparel, and crushes the marketing. She also ships everything out all on her own.  Meg caught my attention with her instagram stories. She is brutally honest with her fans about her daily struggles and accomplishments. I am very proud to know Meg, and I hope this episode educates you a little on the hardships and rewards of creating a successful brand.

This week my guest is my brother from the north Lee Stuart. Lee started out as a professional Snowmobile, dirt bike, and Motorcycle stunt rider. After years of rippin shit up he decided to start a clothing line called 38 Ride Co. Getting fed up with bad communication and quality from the shops he was working with Lee decided to open his own print shop called Rogue Lab. Lee also has a very strong Youtube Channel where he documents his growth as a printer. Be sure to check him out on Instagram @leestuart38 and follow his shop @roguelabMFG. Also check out his Youtube channel by searching for Lee Stuart.

In this episode we discuss how Matt went from working for the Man to owning his own creative agency, Bright Light Media. Matt also does some amazing side projects such as large murals, custom painted signage, and his ever growing Horror/Slasher board game Mix Tape Massacre. Be sure to check out what he is up to on Instagram: @Mattcorradoart @Brightlightmedia @Mixtapemassacre  

In this episode we discuss how Grizzly got into screen printing, getting the right equipment, and maintaining your integrity within the print game.