SHIRT SHOW

Hosted by SHIRT SHOW

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Episodes

333

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Shirt Show deep dives into all things screen printing and apparel decoration with shop hacks along the way. Hosted by Dylan Gilligan of Upstate Merch.

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60 recent

November 2, 20262 hr 6 min

Matt & Jared | Marcotte.Ink & AKT | Shirt Show 334

Alright, we've been tiptoeing around AI for a long time now. A little implementation here, a little automation there, but the turns have officially tabled. Most of Dilly's AI implementations have trickled down from these two, so Matt from Marcotte.Ink and Jared from AKT Enterprises are here, and it's time to chat with our favorite cyborgs. Topics of discussion include: AI-powered ADHD, comparing and integrating different chatbots, updating internal processes with new technology, tackling CRM and outbound sales, adopting new development tools, how ScreenPrintGPT started and where it's going, AI tools for upscaling and separations, Mattcotte's seps demo, solving problems created by AI, gamifying your shop processes, and the shows we rewatch on loop. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

October 26, 20261 hr 57 min

Connor McDonnell | Shirt.Co | Shirt Show 333

After fifty frickin years in business, Connor McDonnell joins us to share how his family business shifted from sporting goods to shirts, and how he's focused on keeping Shirt.Co on the cutting edge of today's print industry. Topics of discussion include: Shirt.Co's social media strategy, pivoting away from sporting goods, working with family, SEO, walk-in customers, union printing, sales automation, promo orders, rebranding, custom boxes, expanding decoration offerings, equipment fails, and a certain season of a certain show that you can go ahead and just not bother watching. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

October 19, 20262 hr 10 min

Jacob Bennett | Agenda Printworks | Shirt Show 332

After 10 years of printing and running e-commerce out of his garage, Jacob Bennett of Agenda Printworks is finally getting out of the house and into a retail location. We talk through the growing pains and evolution of Agenda, and how he aims to take things to the next level without losing his DIY spirit. Topics of discussion include: Surviving the service industry, going from printing for others to building his own brand, emotional attachments to merch, alternatives to outbound sales, CRM strategies, finding fun in constraints, prepping, the perks of not working from home, helpful tools, beater cars, and slow burns. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

October 12, 20262 hr 12 min

Mike Hoey | Texsource | Shirt Show 331

Whether you’re printing analog or digitally, the difference between a great shirt and an okay shirt is probably hiding somewhere in your art seps. Mike Hoey is here to help. Topics of discussion include: joining the dark side of the industry, finessing DTF, living in a print shop, the harsh chemicals of yesteryear, artists vs. production artists, optimizing your prints at the RIP level, specialty inks, applying corporate processes to small business operations, client stakeouts, burying your feelings deep deep deep down inside, hot market disasters, and Nic Cage. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

October 5, 20262 hr 13 min

Josh & Wes | Cast Iron Print Works | Shirt Show 330

While AI slop is bleeding into every facet of the industry, shops like Cast Iron Print Works are proof that screen printing with integrity isn’t going anywhere, and it’s on its way to coming at a premium. Josh & Wes join us to talk about what it takes to protect the craft without getting left behind. Topics of discussion include: Timbo’s art direction pivot, slop probs, where we draw our lines in the sand on AI, gig posters, the reality of transitioning into in-house merchandising, high standards and accountability, balancing creative and production, culture shifting toward premium art and printing, the value of identity, making peace with our wardrobes, finding the right clients, switching shop management platforms, shop layouts, and Aaron Sorkin. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

September 28, 20262 hr 7 min

Scott Garnett | King Screen | Shirt Show 329

THE KING HAS RETURNED. A lot has changed in the last six years since Scott recorded a proper pod with us, and let’s just say his processes and approach to his business and life have aged like a fine wine. You’ll find this conversation opens up into a beautiful bouquet. Topics of discussion include: optimizing the shop, SOPs, taking lean manufacturing too far, bringing DTF in-house, output capacity, the hardcore hack, buying back your time, the AI slop bottleneck, fighting for sanity, quality of life, and psychopathic holiday cheer. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

September 21, 20261 hr 50 min

Jed Seifert | Stakes Manufacturing | Shirt Show 328

Jed's journey with Stakes Manufacturing has been a wild ride, and he's busier than ever. Now 4 episodes into his new podcast Raising The Stakes and fresh off the release of his book INKclusivity , it’s safe to say he isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Topics of discussion include: travel, podcasting, building and selling a print-on-demand business in the music industry, brokering licensing deals, getting into on-demand apparel, the absolute insanity of 2020, bad investments, scaling to survive, embracing the chaos, INKclusivity , the positive impact of hiring employees with disabilities, incorporating new technologies, and dissecting Forrest Gump on a deeper level. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

September 14, 20262 hr 6 min

Daniel Bush | Stanley/Stella | Shirt Show 327

Daniel is basically a print scientist. He’s got a lab, he’s constantly testing decoration methods on Stanley/Stella apparel, and he gets to make cool shit along the way. But more importantly, he’s an advocate for printers, helping bridge the gap between the people making the garments and the decorators actually putting ink on them. Let’s frickin get into this one already! Topics of discussion include: New drivers, Dylan’s MASSIVE TV show opportunity, early printing days, testing print methods, big corporations getting into printing, getting folded by a press, joining Stanley/Stella, creating a garment from start to finish, 100% cotton heathers, imposter syndrome, helping decorators troubleshoot, the disconnect between manufacturers and decorators, why not all organic cotton is created equal, dischargeable garment dyes, the vibe shift between screen printing and print on demand, being present, and Kaiju. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

September 7, 20261 hr 39 min

Kayla McGarry | Impressions Expo | Shirt Show 326

Kayla McGarry is the Group Show Director for Impressions Expo, and she’s here to tell us how she found her way into the trade show world, what goes into putting on an event of this size, and why you don’t want to miss the inaugural Manifest professional conference with MADE Lab at Impressions Expo Dallas. Spoiler alert - WE’LL BE THERE! Topics of discussion include: working in the trade show industry, traveling, how your approach to attending events changes over time, increasing focus on education, the social aspect of a trade show, the state of Impressions Atlantic City, teaming up with MADE lab on Manifest, vetting exhibitors, rites of passage, Impressions magazine, awards and friendly competition, workshops, and the casino walk of shame. Impressions Expo Dallas Discount code: ShirtShow50 for 50% expo pass 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow

August 31, 20262 hr 3 min

Cassie & Christina | BELLA+CANVAS | Shirt Show 325

Cassie and Christina from BELLA+CANVAS join us to talk about where the brand has been, where it’s going, and why things feel new and exciting again. Cassie shares how she found her way into the industry and takes us through her 18-year journey with B+C, while Christina gives us the perspective of someone coming up on two years with the company during a pretty major new chapter. Topics of discussion include: how lessons learned at early jobs can follow you through your career, trade show etiquette of yesteryear, educational campaigns, company culture, curating your offerings, B+C shifting gears with more modern garment styles and weights, their biggest garment expansion yet coming in 2027, printer resources, and our inability to do laundry properly. 🔗 All Our Links: https://linktree.com/shirtshow