At MADE Laboratory, testing has always been at the core of what we do. What started as a solution to a persistent industry problem — inconsistent, outsourced, and often skipped fabric testing — has grown into one of the most comprehensive apparel decoration testing programs in the industry.
From Concept to Nearly 3,000 Fabrics Tested
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.
Since then, we have tested close to 2,000 different fabrics — evaluating dye migration, heat tolerance, ghosting, printability, and more across screen printing, heat transfer, DTG, and embroidery.
See It in Action: The Grainger Feature
Our process was recently featured in a “Grainger: How It’s Done” video, where Brian Lessard walks through a complete discharge test from screen creation to final evaluation.
“MADE Laboratory was really started to help test those garments to make sure that manufacturers are making the best quality garment, but also then to train decorators on how to decorate those garments in the best possible way.”
— Ryan Moor, Partner, MADE Laboratory
Industry Partners Putting the Data to Work
Our testing results are actively being used by some of the biggest names in branded apparel:
- SanMar www.sanmar.com, the industry’s largest distributor, works directly with our team to develop and test every product they manufacture — and collaborates with us through their product and decoration teams to continuously improve those recommendations.
- A4 Apparel publishes MADE Laboratory test scores on their Decorator page, giving decorators ink compatibility guidance, cure temperatures, and blocker recommendations by fabric color.
- Allmade Apparel uses our data to power their Decoration Recommendations page, offering fabric-by-fabric guidelines across their full line of sustainable styles.
Growing the Program
The demand for testing is growing, and so are we. MADE Laboratory is expanding its team and adding staff to our state-of-the-art, climate-controlled Laboratory in Fort Worth, TX. We are actively looking for experienced Decoration Technicians — problem-solvers with 5+ years in screen printing, heat transfer, DTG, and embroidery who love the craft and want to help move the industry forward.
Testing is not just quality control — it is the foundation of a better industry. And we are just getting started.
Learn more about joining the team at MADE Laboratory https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4424747200/