On this episode of Shirt Show, Dylan sits down with Adam Machin and Kato Machin of Thunderhouse Prints. Their path into screen printing did not start in a traditional shop setting. It started with tattooing, wardrobe styling, a pandemic move, and a borrowed press that quickly turned into a full time commitment.
From Brooklyn to upstate New York and eventually Reno, Nevada, Adam and Kato walk through the real decisions that shaped their shop. This conversation focuses on learning in public, asking questions early, and building a business that can survive difficult seasons.
FALLING INTO PRINTING WITHOUT A ROADMAP
Neither Adam nor Kato set out to start a screen printing business. A friend needed space for equipment, one thing led to another, and suddenly they owned a manual press. With no formal training, they learned by doing, making mistakes, and asking for help when they needed it.
Adam shares how coming from tattooing changed his approach to learning a new craft. Letting go of ego and staying coachable helped them move faster while avoiding some of the more expensive lessons new shops often face.
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REBUILDS AND MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY
After years of juggling tattooing, home renovations, and printing out of a garage, burnout caught up. The decision to leave New York was not about growth for growth’s sake. It was about sustainability.
The move to Reno came with its own challenges, including transporting equipment, downsizing expectations, and rebuilding the shop from scratch. Adam and Kato explain why keeping overhead low and avoiding unnecessary debt shaped every decision they made during the transition.
ASKING QUESTIONS AS A BUSINESS STRATEGY
A recurring theme throughout the episode is the value of asking questions early. Adam explains how being willing to admit what you do not know can shorten the learning curve and prevent avoidable mistakes.
Rather than chasing a perfect setup, Thunderhouse Prints focused on building something practical. A garage based shop, paid for equipment, and systems that allow them to survive slower months without panic.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Start with what you can control. Low overhead creates flexibility.
- Ask questions early. Being coachable speeds up progress.
- Burnout is a signal. Ignoring it makes recovery harder.
- Cash flow matters more than appearances. Sustainability beats optics.
- Every shop path is different. There is no single right way to build.