Why is your shop losing money? That tough question is at the heart of this episode of The Shirt Show. Dylan sits down with Juan Carlos of Squeegee Prints to talk about the hidden ways shops lose profit, how to get control of numbers, and the systems that keep a shop thriving long term. They dig into the realities of balancing craft with technology, building client relationships that matter, and automating processes to work smarter.
FINDING YOUR PEOPLE
Not every client is your client, and that is okay. Juan explains how chasing the wrong projects drains motivation. Instead, he focuses on finding “his people,” the clients who align with his creativity and values. Those partnerships lead to better work and long-lasting relationships.
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TOOLS VS. CRAFT
Technology like DTF and DTG has its place, but for Juan, screen printing will always be the core. He loves the craft: mixing inks, dialing in pressures, and perfecting the print. At the same time, he uses every tool wisely. His approach is simple: educate customers, set clear expectations, and always be transparent about how something is printed. That honesty builds trust and keeps customers coming back.
AUTOMATION THAT MATTERS
Growth does not always mean more presses, bigger buildings, or hiring more staff. Juan highlights how automating bottlenecks in the darkroom, reclaim, and production raises the ceiling without sacrificing culture. Investing in tools like an automatic reclaim system means shops can get more done with the same team while keeping morale high. It is not about chasing size. It is about working smarter, keeping employees happy, and maximizing efficiency.
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LIVING THE MARATHON, NOT THE SPRINT
Building a shop is not a sprint. It is a marathon. Juan and Dylan talk about discipline, consistency, and documenting processes. By setting expectations and standardizing workflows, shop owners spend less time acting as the boss and more time letting the systems keep things moving. The result is a shop that runs smoother and lasts longer.
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SHOP HACK HIGHLIGHTS
- Buying different squeegee and flood bar sizes to reduce tape use and speed up setups.
- Using tape or rulers during exposure to eliminate thick emulsion edges, making reclaim faster and easier.
Small changes like these make a big impact on efficiency and quality. Even something as simple as choosing the right screen printing tape can save time and frustration during setups.
WHY IT MATTERS
The apparel industry shifts constantly. Print-on-demand and digital methods may flood the market, but quality always rises to the top. Just like vinyl records made a comeback, screen printing’s craftsmanship and authenticity will always have a loyal audience. As Juan explains, people will pay for prints that mean something. That is where screen printers shine.
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LOOKING AHEAD
When Juan dreams about future upgrades, he thinks about efficiency. A computer-to-screen (CTS) system is high on the list because it eliminates films and speeds up imaging. It is a perfect example of how shops can scale without adding more presses or more space.
Your creativity deserves the best tools and the right clients. Keep building, keep automating, and keep pushing your shop forward. Every step shapes the legacy of your print shop.
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