# MADE Blog - Full LLM Content Index Canonical: https://blog.madelab.io/ Total posts: 81 ## Machine-readable feeds - JSON index: https://blog.madelab.io/api/posts.json - NDJSON stream: https://blog.madelab.io/api/posts.ndjson - AI manifest: https://blog.madelab.io/api/ai/index.json ## Posts - title: Taking the Trouble Out of Embroidery: Katie Wubben at Impressions Dallas 2026 url: https://blog.madelab.io/taking-the-trouble-out-of-embroidery-katie-wubben-at-impressions-dallas-2026/ published_at: 2026-10-13T05:00:00Z categories: Business and Marketing tags: Heat Transfer excerpt: Embroidery can be frustrating. Thread breaks, puckering, registration problems, and inconsistent results can turn what should be a straightforward job into hours of troubleshooting. - title: Beyond the Stitches: Learning Embroidery with Erich Campbell at Impressions Dallas url: https://blog.madelab.io/beyond-the-stitches-learning-embroidery-with-erich-campbell-at-impressions-dallas/ published_at: 2026-10-05T05:00:00Z categories: tags: excerpt: Beyond the Stitches: Learning Embroidery with Erich Campbell at Impressions Dallas - title: Live Printing and Punk Rock at PRINTING United url: https://blog.madelab.io/live-printing-and-punk-rock-at-printing-united/ published_at: 2026-10-02T05:00:00Z categories: Art and Design, Education and Events tags: Information excerpt: Last week we were in Las Vegas for PRINTING United, doing some live printing in the ROQ booth. As usual, printing live at a trade show was equal parts fun, challenging, and occasionally a little chaotic - title: Stop Searching for Ink: Build a Simple Inventory Shelf System url: https://blog.madelab.io/stop-searching-for-ink-build-a-simple-inventory-shelf-system/ published_at: 2026-09-21T05:00:00Z categories: Business and Marketing tags: Ink excerpt: Now production has to stop. Someone has to figure out if there’s another bucket hiding somewhere in the shop, determine whether you can mix what you need, or place an order and wait for more product to arrive. - title: The Connected Approach to Better Embroidery url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-connected-approach-to-better-embroidery/ published_at: 2026-09-18T05:00:00Z categories: Art and Design tags: Information excerpt: Successful embroidery is the result of multiple disciplines working together. Artwork, digitizing, thread, needles, backing, hooping, machine setup, operator knowledge, workflow and production efficiency all contribute to what ultimately comes off the machine. - title: Meet Justin Armenta: Bringing Real-World Embroidery Education to MADE & The Impressions Dallas Expo url: https://blog.madelab.io/meet-justin-armenta-bringing-real-world-embroidery-education-to-made-the-impressions-dallas-expo/ published_at: 2026-09-08T19:54:47Z categories: Business and Marketing, Decoration, Art and Design, Shop tags: Heat Transfer, Information, Ink, Organization excerpt: 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. - title: Print’s Not Dead: Building a Print That’s Made to Crack url: https://blog.madelab.io/print-s-not-dead-building-a-print-that-s-made-to-crack/ published_at: 2026-09-08T15:16:57Z categories: Art and Design, Equipment and Maintenance, Education and Events, Business and Marketing, Decoration tags: Discharge, training excerpt: 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. - title: Stacking Whites on Press: A Smarter Way to Build Bright Prints url: https://blog.madelab.io/stacking-whites-on-press-a-smarter-way-to-build-bright-prints/ published_at: 2026-08-12T16:37:44Z categories: Art and Design, Decoration tags: training x support, training excerpt: 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. - title: The Evolution of Apparel Testing at MADE Laboratory url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-evolution-of-apparel-testing-at-made-laboratory/ published_at: 2026-07-31T19:10:50Z categories: Decoration, Business and Marketing, Art and Design, Equipment and Maintenance tags: excerpt: 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. - title: Why Press Operators Should Never Walk More Than Necessary url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-press-operators-should-never-walk-more-than-necessary/ published_at: 2026-07-22T14:44:06Z categories: Art and Design, Operations and Workflow, Screen Printing tags: excerpt: If you've ever watched an experienced press operator, you'll notice something right away—they don't seem to move much. They're not rushing around the press. They're not constantly walking to grab tape, ink, squeegees, or screens. Everything they need is within arm's reach. - title: Why a Proactive Screen Room Makes Everything Easier url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-a-proactive-screen-room-makes-everything-easier/ published_at: 2026-07-17T17:27:28Z categories: Art and Design, Business and Marketing, Training and Support tags: excerpt: Every screen printing shop wants smoother production, fewer surprises, and more time spent printing instead of scrambling. One of the biggest factors that determines whether your shop runs proactively or reactively starts in a place that doesn't always get the attention it deserves—the screen room. - title: MkRdy 2026: A Day of Learning, Innovation, and Great Company url: https://blog.madelab.io/mkrdy-2026-a-day-of-learning-innovation-and-great-company/ published_at: 2026-07-01T14:10:38Z categories: Art and Design, Decoration, Education and Events tags: workflow, workshop excerpt: 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. - title: Screen Opener Spray: A Useful Tool That Shouldn’t Become a Habit url: https://blog.madelab.io/screen-opener-spray-a-useful-tool-that-shouldn-t-become-a-habit/ published_at: 2026-06-27T01:48:26Z categories: Art and Design, Decoration tags: excerpt: 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. - title: One Trip. One Team. A New Way to Build What’s Next in Branded Apparel. url: https://blog.madelab.io/one-trip-one-team-a-new-way-to-build-what-s-next-in-branded-apparel/ published_at: 2026-06-20T19:38:21Z categories: tags: education excerpt: The branded apparel industry is changing quickly. Customers are asking for more. Production teams are being asked to move faster. Technology is reshaping what is possible. Distributors, decorators, suppliers, and apparel sellers are more connected than ever, but many industry events still treat education like a set of separate tracks instead of a full business-building experience. - title: Why We’ve Been Loving SAATI Hi-Dro Mesh in the Shop url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-we-ve-been-loving-saati-hi-dro-mesh-in-the-shop/ published_at: 2026-05-28T14:10:36Z categories: Art and Design, Decoration tags: excerpt: If you’ve spent any time dialing in screen printing setups, you already know that mesh selection can make a huge difference in print quality. One mesh that’s been standing out lately is SAATI’s Hi-Dro mesh — and after running some real-world testing with it, the results were hard to ignore. - title: Make-Ready 2026: Why Every Print Shop Needs to Be in Fort Worth This June url: https://blog.madelab.io/make-ready-2026-why-every-print-shop-needs-to-be-in-fort-worth-this-june/ published_at: 2026-05-22T18:50:39Z categories: Art and Design tags: excerpt: Artificial intelligence is transforming workflows. Automation is eliminating repetitive tasks. New equipment is dramatically reducing labor costs. And the print shops that embrace these changes will build a major competitive advantage over the next decade. - title: The Art of the Deal: Buying and Selling in the Branded Apparel Space url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-art-of-the-deal-buying-and-selling-in-the-branded-apparel-space/ published_at: 2026-05-01T15:35:13Z categories: tags: marketing, maintenance, Ink, garment dye excerpt: The Branded Apparel Space is experiencing a period of significant transition. Over the last few years, merger and acquisition (M&A) news has dominated headlines, from massive corporate consolidations like S&S Activewear acquiring alphabroder, to numerous transactions among independent decorators [1]. Whether you are a shop owner contemplating an exit strategy or an entrepreneur looking to expand through acquisition, understanding the dynamics of buying and selling a decorated apparel business is crucial. - title: Stop Walking in Circles: Why Batching Work Changes Everything in a Screen Print Shop url: https://blog.madelab.io/stop-walking-in-circles-why-batching-work-changes-everything-in-a-screen-print-shop/ published_at: 2026-04-23T13:27:12Z categories: Art and Design, Business and Marketing tags: excerpt: If you’ve ever felt like you’re working all day but not really getting ahead, you’re not alone. - title: The Importance of Pre-Shift Meetings (Yes, Really) url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-importance-of-pre-shift-meetings-yes-really/ published_at: 2026-03-27T16:26:38Z categories: Art and Design tags: mesh count, marketing, maintenance excerpt: Let’s be honest—nobody dreams of more meetings. But a quick, focused pre-shift huddle? That’s a game-changer. In busy print shops, especially those juggling multiple jobs, presses, and departments, just five minutes at the start of the day can make everything run smoother—and it’s one of the easiest ways to boost morale and keep people aligned. Here’s why it works, what to cover, and how to make it stick. - title: Why Sharp Squeegees Matter url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-sharp-squeegees-matter/ published_at: 2026-03-27T16:18:50Z categories: Art and Design, Decoration, Screen Printing tags: Heat Transfer, workflow excerpt: In screen printing, we spend a lot of time talking about meshes, inks, exposures, and press settings—but often one of the most important tools in the entire process often gets overlooked: The squeegee. At the end of the day, the squeegee is the tool that’s actually *doing the printing*. It’s the component physically shearing the ink through the screen and onto the garment. If that action isn’t clean and precise, nothing else upstream really matters. - title: 3 Reasons to Head to Impressions Atlantic City This Year url: https://blog.madelab.io/3-reasons-to-head-to-impressions-atlantic-city-this-year/ published_at: 2026-03-17T12:00:00Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow tags: atlantic city, impressions expo, impressions atlantic city, trade show, apparel decoration, business strategy, education, industry events, networking, screen printing, sanmar, shirt show excerpt: Save your spot and join the industry on the East Coast for one of the most iconic decorated apparel trade shows of the year. Since 1979, the Atlantic City Expo has been a cornerstone event for the decorated apparel industry. Generations of screen printers, embroiderers, and shop owners have made the trip to the Jersey Shore to learn, connect, and grow their businesses. - title: How the MADE Training x Support Program Can Transform Your Print Shop url: https://blog.madelab.io/how-the-made-training-x-support-program-can-transform-your-print-shop/ published_at: 2026-02-26T01:10:10Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, testing, training, training x support, video education excerpt: Running a screen printing shop can feel like juggling flaming squeegees—especially when your workflow isn’t dialed, screens are breaking down, and nobody’s 100% sure what “best practices” even means anymore. We get it. That’s exactly why we created the MADE Training x Support Program. So, what is the Training x Support Program? It’s an in-person […] - title: The Role of Documentation in Scaling a Screen Print Shop url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-role-of-documentation-in-scaling-a-screen-print-shop/ published_at: 2026-02-26T01:03:29Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: If you’ve been in this industry long enough, you’ve probably said some version of:“Yeah, we stay busy.”Or… “It depends.”Or the classic… “It feels like we’re burning through screens lately.” The problem? Feels like isn’t a strategy. If you actually want to scale your shop — not just survive week to week — you need data. […] - title: Three Reasons a Decorator Should Consider Coming to ThreadX url: https://blog.madelab.io/three-reasons-a-decorator-should-consider-coming-to-threadx/ published_at: 2026-02-08T22:14:05Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: If you’re a growing decorator, chances are you’re asking the same questions everyone in this industry eventually faces: How do I scale without breaking what’s working?Who can I trust as I grow?What’s coming next—and how do I prepare for it? ThreadX was built for that exact moment in your journey. Here are three reasons why […] - title: Mastering Fleece: Best Practices for Screen Printing on Tricky Substrates url: https://blog.madelab.io/mastering-fleece-best-practices-for-screen-printing-on-tricky-substrates/ published_at: 2026-02-07T02:39:57Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, equipment, fleece printing, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, testing, training, workflow excerpt: Let’s be real—fleece can be a pain to print on. It’s thick, it squishes, it holds moisture, and it loves to throw your registration out of whack. But with a few smart adjustments, you can dial it in and make fleece prints look just as clean and consistent as your best t-shirt runs. Here are […] - title: Hot Market Printing: Long Nights, Fast Shirts, No Do-Overs url: https://blog.madelab.io/hot-market-printing-long-nights-fast-shirts-no-do-overs/ published_at: 2026-02-07T02:34:51Z categories: Screen Printing, Decoration, Shop, Art and Design tags: business strategy, decoration, Ink, Screenprinting, shop operations excerpt: Shirt Kong, St Peters, MO Hot market printing is one of those things that sounds cool on paper and then hits you hard in real life. World Series. Super Bowl. Big moments where fans want merch immediately. Not next week. Not after a reprint. The next morning. That kind of turnaround is wild, and it’s […] - title: Exploring the Cosmos of Color: MADE Lab x ROQ at Impressions Expo Long Beach url: https://blog.madelab.io/exploring-the-cosmos-of-color-made-lab-x-roq-at-impressions-expo-long-beach/ published_at: 2026-01-19T23:58:29Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, Underbase excerpt: At this year’s Impressions Expo in Long Beach, MADE Lab partnered with ROQ to bring a duo of cosmic prints to life for the Print Masters Throwdown—one on a tee, one on a hoodie, and both engineered for maximum visual depth using just a few well-played screens and smart press setups. The Tee: Space Meets […] - title: How to Choose the Right Squeegee Durometer for the Job url: https://blog.madelab.io/how-to-choose-the-right-squeegee-durometer-for-the-job/ published_at: 2025-12-22T02:50:08Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, squeegee, testing, Underbase excerpt: If you’ve been around a press long enough, you know that not all squeegees are created equal. One of the most underrated tools in screen printing, your squeegee's durometer (aka hardness) can make or break your print quality—and your sanity on press. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right squeegee durometer depending […] - title: The Most Underrated Piece of Gear in the Shop: The Auto Coater url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-most-underrated-piece-of-gear-in-the-shop-the-auto-coater/ published_at: 2025-12-20T22:20:48Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Shop tags: business strategy, cts, documentation, equipment, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: \"I can coat a screen faster than that machine.\" Yep—heard that one a hundred times. And yeah, you're probably right. You can coat faster. But here’s the real question: can you coat better? The auto coater is one of the most overlooked pieces of equipment in a screen printing shop. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t […] - title: How to Choose the Right Mesh Count for Every Print Job url: https://blog.madelab.io/how-to-choose-the-right-mesh-count-for-every-print-job/ published_at: 2025-11-25T11:19:18Z categories: Screen Printing, Equipment and Maintenance, Shop, Art and Design tags: cts, equipment, halftones, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Screenprinting, shop operations, Underbase excerpt: If you’ve ever fought to keep detail in a halftone or couldn’t figure out why your prints weren’t looking as sharp as they should, chances are your mesh count had something to do with it.Choosing the right mesh count is one of the most important decisions in screen printing — it affects ink deposit, detail, […] - title: Put Yourself Out There: How Kong Screen Printing got on How I Built This with Guy Raz url: https://blog.madelab.io/put-yourself-out-there-how-kong-screen-printing-got-on-how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/ published_at: 2025-11-25T11:14:44Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Business and Marketing, Shop, Art and Design tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, education, industry events, Ink, podcast, print hustlers, Screenprinting, shop operations excerpt: If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s really worth it to attend that next industry event, meet-up, or conference—let this story be your reminder that you never know where one connection might take you. Ryan Burkhart and Bruce Braden, co-founders of Kong Screen Printing in Austin, Texas, have quietly built one of the most customer-focused print […] - title: Why Organization Is Everything in a Screen Print Shop url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-organization-is-everything-in-a-screen-print-shop/ published_at: 2025-11-12T21:19:00Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: cts, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, testing, workflow excerpt: Organization might not be the most exciting topic in screen printing, but it’s one of the most important.A clean, organized shop isn’t just about looks — it’s about efficiency, pride, and consistency.If your workspace is cluttered, your head usually is too. A Clean Shop Is a Productive Shop Screen printing is a messy process — […] - title: Print Hustlers 2025 Recap url: https://blog.madelab.io/print-hustlers-2025-recap/ published_at: 2025-11-10T00:06:41Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing, Decoration tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, education, industry events, Ink, marketing, podcast, print hustlers, Screenprinting, shop operations, video education, workflow, workshop excerpt: By Ryan Moor, with takeaways from Dylan Gilligan and The Shirt Show Newsletter This year marked the 8th Print Hustlers, and for me, my 8th time attending. As Bruce Ackerman, founder of Printavo and the Print Hustlers Conference, said in his opening remarks—it’s incredible to see how far this event has come. From a humble […] - title: WB CAMP 2025: Real-World Printing, Real Connections url: https://blog.madelab.io/wb-camp-2025-real-world-printing-real-connections/ published_at: 2025-10-30T19:26:59Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Business and Marketing, Training and Support tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Screenprinting, shop operations, training, video education, water-based ink, wb camp excerpt: Written by John Magee – Avient CorporationIntroduction by MADE Laboratory Almost 40 decorators and vendors from across the branded apparel industry gathered last week at ROQ.US headquarters in Claremont, Florida, for WB CAMP 2025. Now in its fifth edition, this year’s WB CAMP marked a pivotal moment — it was the first time we took […] - title: How Testing Drives Better Decoration: MADE Laboratory Results in Action url: https://blog.madelab.io/how-testing-drives-better-decoration-made-laboratory-results-in-action/ published_at: 2025-10-17T13:49:44Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, Discharge, documentation, dye migration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, sop excerpt: At MADE Laboratory, we’ve made it our mission to raise the bar in apparel decoration testing. Every year, we test thousands of garments from top manufacturers, offering detailed performance data to guide decorators and brands toward better results. From fiber matte down, heat tolerance, ink compatibility and dye migration, our testing provides a roadmap for […] - title: Behind the Print: Classic Rock Print on Bella+Canvas 4810GD Garment Dye url: https://blog.madelab.io/behind-the-print-classic-rock-print-on-bellacanvas-4810gd-garment-dye/ published_at: 2025-10-03T15:34:50Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, garment dye, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, squeegee excerpt: At MADE Laboratory, every project is a chance to blend craft, technology, and storytelling through screen printing. For the ROQ On Dallas party — happening after the Impressions Dallas show — we wanted to make a shirt that feels like it belongs at a concert merch booth: bold, textured, and with a hand-feel that makes […] - title: How to Clean Your SAATI LTS Laser for Sharper Halftones url: https://blog.madelab.io/how-to-clean-your-saati-lts-laser-for-sharper-halftones/ published_at: 2025-09-20T20:30:16Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, saati lts, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, video education excerpt: If you’re chasing cleaner halftones, sharper detail, and predictable exposures, your problem might not be your file, your RIP, or your mesh. It might be dust. That’s right — something as simple as a dirty lens on your SAATI LTS laser system can cause fuzzier imaging, soft edges, haze during washout, and inconsistent dot gain […] - title: Printing with Water-Based Inks? Here’s What to Watch Out For (Especially if You’re Used to Plastisol) url: https://blog.madelab.io/printing-with-water-based-inks-heres-what-to-watch-out-for-especially-if-youre-used-to-plastisol/ published_at: 2025-08-29T20:02:48Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Plastisol, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training excerpt: There’s a learning curve when moving from plastisol to water-based inks, and that curve gets steeper when you're working with high-solids acrylic (HSA) formulas. HSA inks give beautiful results, but they demand precision, consistency, and a very different approach than what plastisol printers are used to. I recently ran an 8-color water-based job using Avient […] - title: Why Your Shop Needs SOPs – and How QR Codes Can Make Them Even Better url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-your-shop-needs-sops-how-qr-codes-can-make-them-even-better/ published_at: 2025-08-09T02:04:11Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Training and Support tags: business strategy, documentation, equipment, Ink, maintenance, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training, training x support, video education, workflow excerpt: If you’ve been running a print shop for a while, you already know—things can go sideways fast without clear processes. That’s where SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) come in. Think of SOPs as your “shop manual.” They’re step-by-step guides for every machine and process in your shop, so things get done the way you want them […] - title: SOP – How To Create and Post QR Codes for Your Video SOPs url: https://blog.madelab.io/sop-how-to-create-and-post-qr-codes-for-your-video-sops/ published_at: 2025-08-09T02:04:02Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Training and Support tags: documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training, training x support, video education, workflow excerpt: In this short blog, we overview the process to simply create and link QR codes to video SOP’s for your screen printing shop. Interested in learning more about SOP’s for your shop, read our other blog which outlines why and how to create create SOP’s for your screen printing shop. Purpose: To document the process […] - title: Do Your Own Dye Migration Testing In House url: https://blog.madelab.io/do-your-own-dye-migration-testing-in-house/ published_at: 2025-07-23T22:09:47Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Decoration tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, dye migration, equipment, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, temperature, testing excerpt: How to Evaluate Polyester Garments Before Decoration and Production When it comes to decorating on polyester, dye migration is one of the most common and costly print defects. It occurs when the dyes in synthetic fabrics become reactivated under heat and migrate into the ink layer—especially whites—causing discoloration. At MADE Lab, we conduct standardized migration […] - title: Which is the best CTS, Inkjet, Wax or Laser? url: https://blog.madelab.io/which-is-the-best-cts-inkject-wax-or-laser/ published_at: 2025-07-10T19:50:58Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: cts, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: My Journey Through Digital Screen Imaging with CTS and DTS: Inkjet, Wax, and LTS By: Kyle Caldwell, July 10th, 2025 Over the years working in screen printing, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of digital screen imaging systems—each with its own strengths, quirks, and learning curves. I wanted to share some of […] - title: Creating SOP’s: ROQ’s Jet Black Screen Reclaiming System url: https://blog.madelab.io/creating-sops-roqs-jet-black-screen-reclaiming-system/ published_at: 2025-07-02T21:19:04Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training, training x support excerpt: At MADE Lab, we’re constantly building tools, training, and systems that help screen print shops scale their production while maintaining elite-level quality and efficiency. One of the most common bottlenecks in production? Screen reclaim. That’s why our Training & Support Manager, Kyle Caldwell, created the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) specifically for our client Drip […] - title: Welcome Kyle Caldwell, MADE Lab’s New Education, Training & Support Manager url: https://blog.madelab.io/welcome-kyle-caldwell-made-labs-new-education-training-support-manager/ published_at: 2025-07-02T18:12:50Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, testing, training, training x support excerpt: From Punk Rock to Production Powerhouse: Meet Kyle Caldwell MADE Lab is thrilled to welcome Kyle Caldwell as our new Education, Training & Support Manager—a role that perfectly blends his passion for screen printing with his knack for developing efficient, high-performing teams. Kyle’s journey into screen printing started early—in high school shop class, pulling squeegees […] - title: Perfecting Wet-on-Wet Screen Printing: 5 Key Tips from MADE TO ROQ url: https://blog.madelab.io/perfecting-wet-on-wet-screen-printing-5-key-tips-from-made-to-roq/ published_at: 2025-03-15T19:08:32Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, cts, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, temperature, testing excerpt: Wet-on-wet screen printing is a technique that requires precision, control, and an understanding of how inks interact with each other on press. At the MADE TO ROQ workshop, Miguel and the team showcased their expertise in wet-on-wet printing, demonstrating how to achieve clean, vibrant prints without excessive buildup or blurring. Here are five key takeaways […] - title: On Betterment: 730 Printing x MADE Laboratory url: https://blog.madelab.io/on-betterment-730-printing-x-made-laboratory/ published_at: 2025-03-06T18:49:50Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training excerpt: Introduction It’s not widely advertised, but through our Training x Support program, MADE Laboratory offers more than just hands-on training; we provide full-scale business consulting and mentoring built on years of experience, trial, and, most importantly, mistakes. We are not your typical “professional” consultants and don’t claim to be. But as a team that has […] - title: The Role of Testing in Apparel Decoration url: https://blog.madelab.io/the-role-of-testing-in-apparel-decoration/ published_at: 2025-02-10T17:30:09Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, documentation, dye migration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing excerpt: Why Testing Matters in Apparel Decoration In the branded apparel industry, quality is everything. A smooth and bright print, a durable heat transfer, or embroidery that doesn’t pucker—these aren’t just happy accidents. They’re the result of choosing the right garment, matching it with the right art, and executing the proper decoration processes to get the […] - title: WB|WEEK at ROQ.US: The Future of Water-Based Printing in Action url: https://blog.madelab.io/wbweek-at-roq-us-the-future-of-water-based-printing-in-action/ published_at: 2025-02-05T13:33:49Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, documentation, dryer setup, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, water-based ink excerpt: The countdown is on for MADE Lab’s WB|WEEK, the ultimate gathering for water-based printing enthusiasts, and this year, it’s happening at the ROQ Tech Center in sunny Clermont, FL! This event is more than just a showcase—it’s a deep dive into the power and potential of water-based screen printing, featuring industry leaders, hands-on experiences, and […] - title: Why Real Thread Is a Shop to Watch—And Why You Should Join Them at WB|Camp url: https://blog.madelab.io/why-real-thread-is-a-shop-to-watch-and-why-you-should-join-them-at-wbcamp/ published_at: 2025-02-04T21:50:43Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, marketing, podcast, print hustlers, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training excerpt: The Shirtees Awards, hosted by The Shirt Show and Printavo’s Print Hustlers Podcast, just wrapped up their second annual event, and one name stood out: Real Thread. Recognized as a Shop to Watch, Real Thread has built a reputation for innovation, quality, and forward-thinking business practices. And if you’ve ever wanted to see what makes […] - title: Expanding MADE Lab’s Testing Program to Advance Apparel Decoration url: https://blog.madelab.io/expanding-made-labs-testing-program-to-advance-apparel-decoration/ published_at: 2024-11-23T20:01:10Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, video education, workflow excerpt: MADE Lab’s testing program is designed to transform the branded apparel industry by empowering manufacturers and decorators with critical insights into fabric performance and decoration techniques. To meet increasing demand and further our mission of creating a better industry, we are expanding our capabilities. The Purpose of Testing: Elevating Industry Standards Our testing program bridges […] - title: Steve Jobs didn't like consultants, and neither do we url: https://blog.madelab.io/steve-jobs-didnt-like-consultants-and-neither-do-we/ published_at: 2024-10-21T17:21:47Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Training and Support tags: business strategy, documentation, education, industry events, Ink, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, training, training x support, video education, workflow excerpt: Consultants like to come in and tell you what you are doing wrong, we’re here to train you on the processes to do things right. MADE’s hands-on training and support for screen printing shops focuses on empowering your team with the skills they need to thrive. Unlike consultants, who often give advice from the sidelines, […] - title: Mastering High Color Count HSA Water Based Screen Printing url: https://blog.madelab.io/mastering-high-color-count-hsa-water-based-screen-printing/ published_at: 2024-10-08T19:18:51Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, video education, water-based ink excerpt: Printing with HSA (High Solids Acrylic) water-based inks can yield vibrant, long-lasting results, but it requires a specific approach to ensure success. By following these essential tips discussed at Eric Solomon from Night Owls at WB/WEEK 2024 and utilizing the right tools—like the Saati HI-DRO Screen Mesh—you can elevate the quality of your prints and […] - title: 5 Reasons to attend Print Hustlers Conf '24 url: https://blog.madelab.io/5-reasons-to-attend-print-hustlers-conf-24/ published_at: 2024-09-20T22:07:25Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, e-commerce, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, marketing, podcast, print hustlers, print quality, Screenprinting excerpt: Top 5 Reasons Growing Shops Should Invest in Print Hustlers Conference 2024 If you run a growing screen printing shop like Don’t Lose Hope, attending the 2024 Print Hustlers Conference at the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland should be a top priority. The Shirt Show podcast recently emphasized the benefits of […] - title: What will you gain from MADE Laboratory’s Training x Support Program? url: https://blog.madelab.io/what-will-you-gain-from-made-laboratorys-training-x-support-program/ published_at: 2024-09-04T19:50:07Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, halftones, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, testing excerpt: MADE Lab's comprehensive training program covers every aspect of the screen printing workflow, empowering you with the knowledge and skills to optimize your production process. Here are some key areas you can expect to learn about: Specific Skills You'll Gain: By participating in MADE Lab's training, you'll gain valuable insights and practical skills to optimize […] - title: Steve Albini, Thank You For Your Time url: https://blog.madelab.io/steve-albini-thank-you-for-your-time/ published_at: 2024-05-09T00:19:31Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Business and Marketing, Art and Design tags: business strategy, education, industry events, Ink, podcast, print hustlers, Screenprinting, video education excerpt: A few years ago now we were planning the Print Hustlers Conference in Chicago. Tom and I were discussing the event and were trying to make a correlation between the city and someone influential to be a speaker. Tom had the idea to reach out to Steve Albini. We thought it was a long shot, […] - title: Print Hustlers Live Giveaway url: https://blog.madelab.io/print-hustlers-live-giveaway/ published_at: 2023-12-08T16:45:59Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, industry events, Ink, podcast, print hustlers, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: Print Hustlers Live Giveaway Print Hustlers Live gives a chance for those who didn’t get to attend For Print Hustlers Conference 2023 to catch the valuable information shared at this event. This year, we specifically selected speakers that have resources for how to better run your print shop. We wanted you to be able to […] - title: Print Hustlers, Past, Present, and Future url: https://blog.madelab.io/print-hustlers-past-present-and-future/ published_at: 2023-11-24T18:53:32Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, podcast, print hustlers, Screenprinting, shop operations, video education, workflow excerpt: Print Hustlers, Past, Present, and Future How Print Hustlers Conferences started, has grown, and what you can look forward to next year. Print Hustler’s Conference was originally created in 2016 by Printavo’s founder Bruce Ackerman. His goal was to provide education to the apparel decoration space. His belief is to be a leading company, you […] - title: MADE iQ Sessions at PRINTING United Expo '23 url: https://blog.madelab.io/made-iq-sessions-at-printing-united-expo-23/ published_at: 2023-10-14T23:41:02Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Information, Ink, Ink, maintenance, marketing, podcast, print hustlers, print quality excerpt: Driving the conversation through interactive Q&A with some of the decorated apparel industry's top performers. iQ Sessions are not your typical industry panel or on-stage Q&A; think of a podcast like How I Built This, but in a live and comfortable setting that you get to drive. After a short, interactive intro and background from […] - title: A Look Back at WB/WEEK '23 url: https://blog.madelab.io/a-short-recap-of-wb-week-23/ published_at: 2023-07-24T22:42:40Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, Discharge, documentation, dryer setup, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, podcast, print hustlers, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop excerpt: A Look Back at WB/WEEK '23 Last week, July 19-22, we hosted WB/WEEK ‘23 at MADE Laboratory in Fort Worth, TX. Decorators from around the country came together to learn from the best in the industry and perfect their water-based printing skills while making new friends and discussing the challenges we all face in every […] - title: 3 Reasons to Dive into Water-Based Inks in Your Screen Printing Shop! url: https://blog.madelab.io/3-reasons-to-dive-into-water-based-inks-in-your-screen-printing-shop/ published_at: 2023-07-03T20:39:49Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, Discharge, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, reclaim, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, water-based ink excerpt: 3 Reasons to Dive into Water-Based Inks. If you're in the business of screen-printing, you're no stranger to the battle of inks: water-based vs. plastisol. At MADE Laboratory, the answer is neither; it's actually both. Yes, plastisol and water-based inks are both great tools for the screen-printer to use in their shop. If you aren't […] - title: A Look into WB/WEEK 2023. url: https://blog.madelab.io/a-look-into-wb-week-2023/ published_at: 2023-05-10T23:45:33Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, water-based ink, wb camp, wb week excerpt: A Look into WB/WEEK 2023 WB/BASIC July 19-20, 2023 Have you ever been curious about screen printing with water-based ink, but couldn't figure it out? WB/BASIC is a two-day exploration into water-based printing. This workshop is designed to deliver an immersive educational and social experience to demystify water-based screen printing for decorators. WB/BASIC is the […] - title: High Voltage Shop Tour url: https://blog.madelab.io/high-voltage-studios-shop-tour/ published_at: 2023-04-17T21:45:54Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing, Shop tags: business strategy, education, industry events, Ink, Screenprinting, shop operations, video education, workflow excerpt: Enter High Voltage Studios We built MADE as 'a home for the thinkers and makers who can see what's next and deliver it now'- but it's always fun to watch someone build their own. While making the rounds in Austin, TX, during SXSW and Flatstock 84, we were invited to visit our friend Tim Gibson's […] - title: Industry Printshop Tour url: https://blog.madelab.io/industry-printshop-tour/ published_at: 2023-04-04T19:48:27Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, video education, workflow excerpt: Fresh Prints Daily! During SXSW '23, we attended Industry Printshop's Print Addiction Party, complete with Draplin Prints and merch on the spot. Tony was kind enough to give us a tour, showing how Industry is unique in that it focuses on custom merch and flat-stock printing. We'll have a more in-depth look later at their […] - title: MADE Does Flatstock 84 url: https://blog.madelab.io/made-does-flatstock-84/ published_at: 2023-03-23T20:07:57Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Decoration, Shop, Art and Design tags: apparel decoration, decoration, education, industry events, Ink, Screenprinting, shop operations, workshop excerpt: MADE Does Flatstock 84 When your friends are in town, you make it a point to visit them. And when your 'town' is 'Texas', and your friend is Aaron Draplin, and he's hanging out with your other friends, Industry Printshop, AND it's during South by Southwest, it is mandatory to pay everyone a visit. Tom […] - title: Faux Appliqué Print for ROQ url: https://blog.madelab.io/roq-faux-applique-print/ published_at: 2023-02-15T21:11:39Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: cts, decoration, documentation, dryer setup, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, saati lts, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, special fx excerpt: Faux Appliqué Print for ROQ Brian Lessard and MADE Lab created a special effects faux Appliqué design for ROQ to highlight how you can create an extraordinary print on a higher-end garment using six screens. This is how we MADE it. Pre-Press We started by selecting a variety of screen meshes using SAATI Hydro Thin Thread mesh on GSF static frames. […] - title: Aiming Students Towards Success. url: https://blog.madelab.io/business-of-student-success/ published_at: 2023-02-10T20:41:52Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Decoration tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, fleece printing, Heat Transfer, industry events, Ink, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, video education, workflow excerpt: Aiming Students Towards Success. Last month, BELLA+CANVAS, Supacolor, and MADE teamed up to help Business of Student Success (BOSS) educate and inspire students to grow artistically and professionally through the power of apparel decoration. BELLA+CANVAS’ goal was to introduce the group of students to the apparel manufacturing and distribution process as well as the accessibility […] - title: Screen Printing is FUN! url: https://blog.madelab.io/screen-printing-is-fun/ published_at: 2022-11-02T21:02:08Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, Underbase, video education, water-based ink excerpt: Screen Printing is FUN! By Eric and Val Solomon. It's True! Screen Printing is Fun! We designed Screen Printing is Fun! with Jon Kelly Green for WB Camp to showcase multiple types of water based ink on the same garment. We demoed how to construct and manage these different inks to create a […] - title: 5 Reasons we’re going to Vegas for PRINTING United (and so should you) url: https://blog.madelab.io/5-reasons-were-going-to-vegas-for-printing-united/ published_at: 2022-09-21T22:05:21Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Training and Support tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Screenprinting, shop operations, training, workflow excerpt: 5 Reasons we’re going to Vegas for PRINTING United (and so should you) It's time to get the gang back together, and we're talking about the whole printing community. PRINTING United Expo is coming up, and here are five reasons we’re going to Vegas (and so should you). 1. Education PRINTING United is more […] - title: Apparel Fabrication Testing at MADE url: https://blog.madelab.io/apparel-fabrication-testing-at-made/ published_at: 2022-09-16T16:38:28Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, Discharge, documentation, dye migration, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations excerpt: Apparel Fabrication Testing at MADE SanMar and MADE Lab are partnering to create better garments for the decoration industry. Before MADE Lab, most manufacturers would outsource testing to screen printing shops (or skip testing altogether). Due to the busy nature of this industry, they would often wait many weeks for results. This forced them to […] - title: Tips From WB Camp On How To Achieve A Retail Quality White. url: https://blog.madelab.io/tips-from-wb-camp-on-how-to-achieve-a-retail-quality-white/ published_at: 2022-09-08T20:55:27Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, documentation, dryer setup, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, squeegee, temperature, testing excerpt: Tips From WB Camp On How To Achieve A Retail Quality White. How to screen print a retail finish water based white on a small automatic press. One of our educators at MADE Lab’s WB Camp was Colin Shane from LMP Inc. His demo on getting a retail quality white using Matsui Water Based Ink and […] - title: News: MADE and Supacolor Join Forces url: https://blog.madelab.io/news-made-and-supacolor-join-forces/ published_at: 2022-08-16T21:32:02Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, industry events, print quality, Screenprinting, sop, testing, workflow excerpt: News: MADE and Supacolor Join Forces A coordinated effort that aims to educate apparel decorators and help them grow. MADE Laboratory today announced a new partnership with Supacolor. This joint effort will promote and educate decorators of all skill levels across the globe on the efficacy of heat transfer technology as a pillar in apparel […] - title: WB CAMP 2022 Happenings url: https://blog.madelab.io/wb-camp-2022-happenings/ published_at: 2022-08-04T22:01:36Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, cts, decoration, Discharge, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, podcast, print hustlers, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations excerpt: WB CAMP 2022 Happenings It was exciting to feel the energy in the room this past weekend at WB Camp! We’d like to thank the over 70 people who attended, along with our educators and sponsors who MADE this event possible. It was great to see such a strong turnout and support for water-based printing. […] - title: Screen Printing with Discharge on a 50/50 Blend url: https://blog.madelab.io/screen-printing-with-discharge-on-a-50-50-blend/ published_at: 2022-08-03T22:17:36Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, Discharge, documentation, dye migration, education, equipment, fleece printing, industry events, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting excerpt: Screen Printing with Discharge on a 50/50 Blend Creative print engineering to avoid dye migration and over seam screen printing. Recently, we used the SanMar Port & Company Core Fleece Sweatshirt Tote to make swag bags at our Water Based workshop. These totes were a great hit because of their unique style and cozy garment […] - title: Skills USA 2022. The New School. url: https://blog.madelab.io/skills-usa-2022-the-new-school/ published_at: 2022-07-18T21:33:04Z categories: Screen Printing, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Shop, Art and Design tags: business strategy, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Screenprinting, shop operations excerpt: Skills USA 2022. The New School. Skills USA is a competition for students that study trades in high school. Multiple trades are present at the event, from beauty to culinary to mechanics. MADE worked with Printed United Alliance to facilitate the Screenprinting Technology competition this year. Sixteen students from across the United States came to […] - title: WB Camp 2022 2.0 url: https://blog.madelab.io/wb-camp-2022-2-0/ published_at: 2022-06-17T20:36:05Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, cts, decoration, Discharge, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing excerpt: WB Camp 2022 2.0 As screen printers, we can all appreciate the ability to achieve a vibrant soft print that breathes and conforms to the garment. Screen printing water based ink is a great way to get there. We can also agree that running water based ink in a shop is not nearly as easy […] - title: News: MADE and Matsui Partnership url: https://blog.madelab.io/news-made-and-matsui-partnership/ published_at: 2022-06-01T19:35:22Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, cts, decoration, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, maintenance, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, water-based ink excerpt: News: MADE and Matsui Partnership MADE Lab and Matsui Partner To Expand Education and Product Immersion. A partnership that strives to bring awareness to sustainable practices, an increase in education to the apparel decoration market, and additional research to the print industry. MADE Laboratory is announcing a new partnership with Matsui International Company. This partnership will […] - title: Dial-In Your Dryer Using A Thermocouple Instrument & Screen Printer’s Temperature Probe url: https://blog.madelab.io/dial-in-your-dryer-using-a-thermocouple-instrument-screen-printers-temperature-probe/ published_at: 2022-04-15T21:24:33Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Decoration tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, Cure, decoration, documentation, dryer setup, equipment, fleece printing, Ink, maintenance, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop excerpt: Dial-In Your Dryer Using A Thermocouple Instrument & Screen Printer’s Temperature Probe: an overview of curing screen printed apparel correctly. - title: How To Build A Faux Appliqué Screen Print url: https://blog.madelab.io/special-fx-faux-applique/ published_at: 2022-02-17T20:38:31Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow, Decoration tags: cts, decoration, documentation, equipment, faux applique, halftones, Ink, Ink, maintenance, mesh count, Plastisol, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop excerpt: The MADE Lab team taught a Special FX Series at this years Impressions Long Beach show designed around a Faux Appliqué screen print. We wanted to demonstrate a special effects print using standard mesh, one or two FX inks using up to six colors, and one flash. - title: Testing Alternative Underbases to Plastisol White url: https://blog.madelab.io/white-plastisol-underbase-alternative/ published_at: 2021-12-14T16:34:15Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing, Decoration tags: business strategy, decoration, Discharge, Discharge, documentation, Ink, Ink, Plastisol, Plastisol, print quality, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, Underbase, Underbase excerpt: Using an alternative underbase could not only save you white plastisol ink, but also provide a better print for your customers. - title: What you Can Do About The Plastisol Ink Supply Shortage url: https://blog.madelab.io/plastisol-ink-supply-shortage/ published_at: 2021-12-09T20:51:49Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Equipment and Maintenance, Operations and Workflow tags: business strategy, cts, Discharge, documentation, education, equipment, industry events, Ink, Ink, maintenance, Organization, Plastisol, Plastisol, print quality, Recycling, Screenprinting excerpt: Six proven strategies for your shop to mitigate and get ahead of the plastisol ink shortage in the market today. - title: Made To Lead, The Women Of Screen Printing Awards url: https://blog.madelab.io/made-to-lead-the-women-of-screen-printing-awards/ published_at: 2021-11-15T22:54:07Z categories: Screen Printing, Testing and Development, Education and Events, Operations and Workflow, Business and Marketing tags: apparel decoration, business strategy, decoration, documentation, education, industry events, Ink, marketing, print quality, Screen Printing Magazine, Screenprinting, shop operations, sop, testing, video education, Women of Screen Printing Awards excerpt: When we got a chance to host the Women of Screen Printing Awards with Screen Printing Magazine at our Launch Event earlier this year, we jumped at the opportunity.