At MADE Laboratory, we believe the best industry education comes from people who have actually done the work—people who understand the realities of production, have solved problems at the machine, and are willing to share what they’ve learned.
Our punk-rock-inspired design was all about creating something that didn’t look brand new. We wanted a heavy, cracked print that felt like it could have come off a vintage band tee that had already spent years being worn, washed, and abused.
If you’re running a screen printing shop, chances are white ink is on your press every single day. It’s the workhorse of the industry—and also one of the trickiest inks to dial in just right. Whether you’re laying down a basic logo or building out a detailed print, getting that crisp, bright white is a skill that separates the pros from the rest.
MADE Laboratory was founded through a partnership with SanMar's Decorator Solutions Team and our founders Tom, Brett, and Brian Lessard, who brings 30 years of screen printing and ink manufacturing experience to the lab. The mission was simple: provide manufacturers and decorators with reliable, scientific data so they can make better decisions before anything hits the press.
This year, MADE Laboratory opened its doors in Fort Worth, Texas, for a full day dedicated to education, collaboration, and helping print shops improve what they do every day. Instead of walking through rows of trade show booths, attendees got to experience equipment in a real production environment, ask questions directly to industry experts, and see new ideas put into action.
You're halfway through a production run when ink starts drying in the mesh. The image begins plugging up, prints start looking rough, and production slows to a crawl. Someone grabs a can of screen opener, gives the screen a quick spray, and suddenly everything is back to normal.