On this episode of Shirt Show, Dylan connects with Jed Seifert, co-founder of Stakes Manufacturing. Jed details his career path from building and selling an early print-on-demand phone skin business to scaling Stakes Manufacturing into a major apparel decorator. The discussion provides an industry-grounded look at navigating massive operational pivots, avoiding costly equipment hype, and embracing the unpredictable nature of business ownership.
Jed also shares his passion for disability inclusion, detailing how employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities transforms shop culture and operational performance. Through his book, INKclusivity, and his podcast, Raising The Stakes, he offers practical frameworks for shop owners looking to make a positive impact while running a profitable operation.
FROM MUSIC LICENSING TO ON-DEMAND APPAREL
Jed's entry into manufacturing began alongside his business partner, Vince Bartosi. Transitioning from corporate software sales, Jed joined Vince to launch a business producing custom vinyl skins for consumer electronics. By securing over a hundred licensing deals with major music acts and entertainment brands, including Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, and South Park, they built a print-on-demand model to handle thousands of unique device geometries without holding finished inventory.
Recognizing the eventual decline of the electronic skin market, they executed a timely sale of the company. That experience provided the foundation for their next evolution: entering the apparel industry. Partnering initially as brokers for Jack Prince, they eventually acquired its on-demand division in 2019 to launch Stakes Manufacturing, focusing specifically on direct-to-garment (DTG) execution for enterprise accounts.
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NAVIGATING PANDEMIC SCALING AND EQUIPMENT LESSONS
When the 2020 pandemic disrupted traditional retail, demand for print-on-demand fulfillment surged. Stakes Manufacturing scaled from 48 employees to over 300 in a six-month window, expanding into a 110,000-square-foot facility. Managing that rapid growth required brute-force staffing before the company could refine its operational workflows and software systems.
Following the initial surge, the on-demand market faced oversupply and increased price competition from offshore operations. Jed candidly shares the lesson learned from over-investing in legacy DTG equipment right before newer, more efficient technology hit the market. To adapt, Stakes Manufacturing pivoted toward high-quality printing, expanding its garment catalog, and serving the wholesale market with short-run DTG and DTF solutions.
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THE POWER OF DISABILITY INCLUSION IN THE PRINT SHOP
Inspired by his brother, who has Fragile X syndrome, Jed made disability inclusion a core pillar of Stakes Manufacturing. Over 10% of the shop's workforce consists of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working alongside local disability employment service providers, the company utilizes free job coaches and vocational transition programs to train and integrate employees into high-performing roles.
Contrary to common misconceptions, disability inclusion is a strong business decision rather than charity. Employees with disabilities at Stakes Manufacturing match or exceed standard KPIs in warehouse and shipping departments while significantly reducing turnover. This inclusive model improves overall shop morale, fosters a collaborative work environment, and encourages clearer operational communication across all departments.
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INKCLUSIVITY AND EMBRACING BUSINESS CHAOS
To help other decorators implement inclusive hiring practices, Jed co-authored INKclusivity alongside Patrick Bardsley, Tim How, and Marshall Atkinson. The book acts as a step-by-step guide for print shop owners and HR managers, outlining how to partner with local service providers, access available grants, and build accessible workflows using universal design principles.
Jed emphasizes that running a growing business requires maintaining perspective and learning to navigate constant challenges. Rather than waiting for a point of total stability, successful owners learn to manage through operational chaos. By focusing on core competencies, leveraging software automation, and creating a business centered on giving back, decorators can build resilient operations that make a lasting impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Focus on core competencies. Avoid trying to offer every decoration method; mastering specific technologies like DTG or DTF yields better operational efficiency.
- Disability inclusion drives ROI. Partnering with local service providers reduces turnover, improves shop culture, and fills critical production roles with reliable talent.
- Avoid over-reacting to industry hype. Carefully evaluate equipment investments and capacity needs to prevent carrying debt on obsolete machinery.
- Utilize free community resources. Disability employment service providers offer job coaching, manager training, and onboarding support at zero cost to the employer.
- Leverage universal design principles. Simplifying training materials with visual tools and QR codes makes shop workflows easier for every team member to learn.