Impressions Expo 2026 brought the decorated apparel community together in a way that only Long Beach can. From the first badge scan to the final shirt printed, you could feel the momentum. Apparel decorators, embroiderers, screen printers, creatives, streetwear builders, educators, and entrepreneurs showed up to get hands-on, ask big questions, and explore what is next for the craft.
For Ryonet, the show offered a clear look at where screen printing stands heading into 2026. The excitement is real. People showed up ready to learn, make connections, and build their own opportunities. It was a reminder that while technology changes, the drive to create remains the constant force in this industry.
Screen Printing Is Thriving and Gaining Momentum
The buzz around digital printing and DTF did not push screen printing aside. It opened the door for new ways of growing a business, curiosity, and crossover. We are now meeting printers who started their business with transfers and came to Long Beach ready to level up what they offer with screen printing. It is clear that DTF and screen printing work together in a modern shop. Each method serves different creative and business needs, allowing printers to be more versatile than ever before.
But beyond the ease of digital, there is power in pulling a squeegee. There is a specific value in understanding ink flow, mesh count, and the details that make prints last for years. That is the place we love to be. We are here to help along that understanding and keep spreading the knowledge of what is possible when you master the screen.
Brandon Schmunk, President of Ryonet summed it up like this: “There are a lot of new people entering the industry. Many start with DTF or digital methods, then realize screen printing offers quality, longevity, and credibility that customers value. A lot of people think screen printing is out of their league, but deep down they say, ‘I’d rather be screen printing.’”
People Are the Reason This Industry Moves
What stood out most was not the equipment. It was the people. Shop owners shared their current experiences and honest struggles. First timers printed their own shirt and asked how to do it at home. A high school teacher brought students to see a CMYK job come to life right after they learned the theory in class. Community showed up in the demos, in the technical questions, and in the conversations happening between presses and print pulls.
We talked with creators launching streetwear brands, educators building school programs, and side hustlers planning their first production space. Everyone had a different story, but the energy was shared. That shared passion is what makes these shows special. It is about the collective hustle of thousands of people trying to build something of their own.
Ryan Moor, CEO of Ryonet reflected on what he saw: “We met so many streetwear creators and early stage brands. Some people might overlook them because they are just starting, but that is how this industry grows. They start with a dream, make their own customers, and choose their own process. Pulling that first squeegee can turn into thousands of shirts down the road. That energy was everywhere at the show.”
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Education Drives Confidence
Many people who visited the booth came in unsure where to start. Screen printing can feel intimidating at first because of the variables involved. After watching a demo or printing their first shirt, something shifted. The questions got sharper. The ideas started flowing. We saw that once the "how-to" becomes clear, the "what's next" becomes possible.
From workflow strategy to decoration type comparisons, our team heard a huge demand for education. That demand showed up in the time people spent watching demos and the excitement they had once they cleared a screen for the first time. We believe that a confident printer is a successful printer, and education is the only way to build that foundation.
Kevin Folker, PA Branch Manager for Ryonet said this: “A lot of people who started with DTF are finding their way into screen printing now. Once they have some experience, screen printing feels more approachable. There is something special about creating a print from start to finish. Watching younger and newer printers light up when a CMYK image came together was one of my favorite moments of the show.”
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The Ryonet Booth Was Buzzing
Inside the ROQ Atrium, the Ryonet booth became a true show-floor print shop. Attendees stepped up to print, watched jobs run start to finish, and talked directly with printers who do this work every day. Manual prints rolled off the Riley Hopkins 360, while automation ran through ROQ. We made sure to show the full picture, including reclaim, exposure, and live CMYK printing. This gave people a clear look at how a full production workflow comes together in a real environment.
The energy grew even more when PUSH & PRESS joined the booth with their own live printing setup. Their team printed alongside ours, answered questions, and pulled shirts while engaging attendees in conversations about running a shop. An awesome collaboration that helped turn the booth into a shared space where people could learn, connect, and see what production looks like in action.
New Printers Are Bringing New Life
Some of the most exciting conversations happened with people who had not printed a shirt before this show. They were not running shops yet. They were running ideas. They brought ambition, design sense, and an open mind. They left with new skills, new confidence, and in some cases, their first screen print under their belt. These are the people who will be the shop owners of tomorrow.
That matters to us. This industry grows when we invite new voices in and when we meet people where they are. We have to remember that every seasoned printer started with questions and a few ruined shirts. Keeping that door open for the next generation is how we ensure the craft stays alive and well for years to come.
Thank You to Our Partners
Ryonet’s presence at Impressions Expo would not be possible without the support of our partners and sponsors who share the mission of powering the print. A massive thank you to:
- Avient
- Achitex Minerva
- SanMar
- Bella+Canvas
- PrintGrip
- Action Engineering
- Chromaline
- PMI Tape
- Nortech Graphics
Keep the Momentum Going
If you stopped by the booth, thank you. If you missed it, we hope to see you next time. And if you are ready to build on what you learned in Long Beach, we have the equipment, supplies, and support to help you print stronger in 2026. The show may be over, but the work is just beginning.