WB CAMP 2025: Real-World Printing, Real Connections

Written by John Magee – Avient Corporation
Introduction 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 water-based printing to the production floor at Real Thread. This was more than a training; it was a transparent look into how leading shops like Real Thread operate in real-world conditions.

With support from Jeremiah Bates, Luke Wycuff, and press operators Alex Colon and Jose Rodriguez, attendees toured the facility and participated in a hands-on production session, setting up, printing, and tearing down two WB jobs across different substrates — A4’s 5-Star Performance Fabric and BELLA+CANVAS Heavyweight Cotton.

Below is a recap from our lead trainer John Magee (Avient), followed by a few thoughts from Kyle Caldwell, MADE Lab’s Training & Support Manager.

WB CAMP 2025: Raising the Bar on Real-World Printing

by John Magee, Avient

This year’s WB CAMP at MADE Lab in Fort Worth offered the ideal controlled environment to showcase the intricacies of water-based printing. But this year, we decided to crank up the realism.

Hosted at ROQ.US HQ with a field trip to Real Thread, this year’s camp immersed attendees in what water-based printing truly looks like — out in the wild, with real jobs, real timelines, and real challenges.

Real-World Lessons at Real Thread

At Real Thread, Jeremiah Bates kicked off the day with a clear and refreshing directive:

“We’re going to run this just like a normal production day.”

No staged perfection. No cleanup ahead of time. Just the real deal — if a screen failed or was burned incorrectly, it was re-burned and reset, just like any other day in production.

The Real Thread team ran two different jobs during the session:

• A polyester print using Avient Magna High Solids inks
• A Magna LB low-solids, wet-on-wet print for cotton

Both jobs went smoothly, offering attendees a transparent look at how experienced teams troubleshoot and communicate in the moment. Watching the Real Thread crew operate live was one of the most powerful parts of the experience.

Back at the ROQ Tech Center

Once back at ROQ headquarters, Dave Makin, Robert Howze with help from Kyle Caldwell and Zach Achorn, and I delivered focused presentations covering:

• Screen making best practices
• Separations for hybrid printing
• WB CAMP applications and technologies

We followed that with a live demo of one hybrid print and two water-based jobs. That’s when the real Florida humidity hit.

We experienced multiple screen failures mid-demo — moisture-related challenges that many decorators are familiar with. But this gave us a perfect opportunity to practice what we preach: adaptability.

We re-burned and post-exposed and hardened screens on the fly using a traditional unit and got the prints out on time. It was sweaty, messy, and exactly what WB CAMP is all about: learning in real conditions.

Beyond the Ink — It’s About the People

As always, the true magic of WB CAMP wasn’t just in the prints — it was in the people.

Attendees from Germany, Holland, and across the U.S. came together not just to learn, but to build a community. From ongoing Q&As to late-night idea swaps, the value of connection was clear.

The tone was set early by Jeremiah’s transparent intro at Real Thread, which encouraged vulnerability, openness, and collaboration. That energy carried throughout the entire camp.

I lost track of how many questions I fielded — and I think my cheeks were sore from laughing so much. The standout memories? Not the ink types or screen setups — but the shared meals, new friendships, and collective excitement about elevating the craft of water-based printing.

Final Takeaway

If there’s one message I hope people walked away with, it’s this:

Don’t be scared of water-based ink, it’s not hard to don’t stress. Water-based forces you to be a better screen printer, it makes you do everything you should be doing as a printer already, proper screen making, precise registration, diligent job management, and prompt cleanup. Zach Achorn, aka The Can of Corn

With MADE Laboratory, we’re building a network of decorators, trainers, and vendors who support each other year-round. That’s the kind of impact that lasts far beyond any print demo.

“WB CAMP was an incredible experience — I gained a ton of technical, hands-on knowledge about the ins and outs of production printing with water-based inks. Beyond the learning, the best part was the people. There was a real sense of community, and I left feeling like I’ve made genuine connections and new friends in the print industry — people I can share ideas with and learn from for years to come.”

– Kyle Caldwell, MADE Lab Training & Support Manager:

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for video recaps on our Instagram and YouTube, and don’t miss upcoming MADE Laboratory events built for decoration elevation.

Want to be part of the next WB CAMP or another upcoming educational event? Visit MADELAB.io/events to learn more and register early.Thank you again to our sponsors, BELLA+CANVAS, AVIENT, NAZDAR, ROQ.US, A4, HIRSCH, SAATI, EXILE and REAL THREAD