In Episode 279 of Shirt Show, Dylan talks with Kyle Caldwell, former Production Manager at Shirt Kong and now training and support lead at MADE Lab. Kyle is also the CEO of Garage Dog Brewing and a longtime advocate for better systems, smarter workflows, and stronger shop culture in screen printing.
From Press Assistant to Production Leader
Kyle started as a press assistant at Shirt Kong and worked his way up to running one of the most efficient production floors in the business. His approach is simple: learn every step, care about the craft, and always look for ways to improve. That mindset helped him build a reputation for process excellence and leadership through action.
Efficiency, Bottlenecks, and Better Systems
This episode digs into what truly drives productivity in a print shop, from managing people and schedules to refining darkroom and press processes. Kyle shares how communication, preparation, and training can transform even small shops into organized, profitable operations.
- Efficiency starts with consistency: Systems and standards make growth sustainable.
- Prepress is everything: A well-run darkroom sets the tone for every job that follows.
- Leadership means understanding every role: The best managers know the process firsthand.
- Education beats gatekeeping: Sharing knowledge helps the entire industry improve.
Teaching, Testing, and the MADE Lab Mission
At MADE Lab, Kyle helps printers around the country streamline their setups, train their teams, and build a deeper understanding of how and why good production works. The MADE Lab team connects equipment manufacturers, decorators, and educators to move the industry forward through better education and testing.
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Why Printers Should Listen
If you have ever dealt with scheduling headaches, production delays, or team burnout, this episode is for you. Kyle’s insights come from years on the floor, helping shops find balance between speed, quality, and consistency.