What happens when a local screen print shop powered by youth partners with a global brand committed to social impact? You get more than a great T-shirt. You get a powerful statement printed with purpose, driven by sustainability, and fueled by a genuine passion for the craft. This partnership is a perfect example of how our industry is evolving to meet both social and environmental needs without compromising on the quality of the final print.
New Avenues Ink, a Portland-based social enterprise under New Avenues for Youth, recently completed their biggest water-based job to date: a seven-color print for a Ben & Jerry’s franchise event. For this project they turned to Modern Black Screen Algae Ink from Living Ink, the planet-positive, water-based ink made with renewable algae waste pigments, offering a sustainable alternative that delivers the deep, jet-black finish printers demand.
A Shop with a Passion for Teaching
New Avenues Ink isn’t your average print shop. It’s a hands-on training ground where young people learn job-ready skills and discover their creative voice through the art of the squeegee. From running an automatic press to mixing Pantone-matched inks and catching quality control, the interns do it all.
“This print shop is meant to be a workforce development program,” says Iain, the production manager. “You learn soft skills, like showing up and working with coworkers, and also a valuable trade like screen printing. With the right guidance, it can be a really lucrative, creative career.”
At Ryonet, we share that same fire for teaching. It’s why we host our Screen Print Experience Classes. We believe in "Educate First" because investing in your own development is the most valuable move you can make for your shop. Whether you are teaching an intern or sharpening your own skills, having a solid foundation in the basics makes every job easier.
Ben & Jerry’s and Living Ink: A Meaningful Match
New Avenues has a special connection with the Ben and Jerry’s store in downtown Portland, Oregon, which is the only Ben and Jerry’s store in Portland. And it’s run completely by the youth that come through the New Avenues program. When the brand needed merch for an upcoming franchise meeting, New Avenues Ink stepped up to level up. “This is the biggest water-based print job we’ve done,” Iain explained. “The interns are loving it. We’re using the algae ink, and so far it’s working great.”
The print was a seven-color challenge that required tight registration and a deep understanding of the quirks of water-based inks. Using Modern Black Algae Ink not only met the creative brief but also aligned with the shop’s values. This ready-to-use formulation includes a built-in hardener and retarder, allowing for smooth performance and reduced press time on high-efficiency production runs.
RELATED: HOW TO SCREEN PRINT WITH LIVING INK ALGAE INK
Screen Printing That Transforms Lives
While many interns move on to work at local shops, others gain the technical and interpersonal skills to enter the workforce with newfound confidence. To achieve professional results, the team focuses on the fundamentals: proper mesh selection and consistent tension are key to keeping a seven-color job like this in registration.
“Screen printing is a commercial skill, but it also informs your own art practice,” said Iain. “It’s how I got into it, through graphic design. Now it’s my full-time job, and I want to pass that on.” That spirit of passing it on is what drives us to keep our Screen Printing Classes packed with value, from darkroom setup to multi-color registration on the press.
Printing a More Sustainable Future
Living Ink’s Screen Algae Ink stood up to the seven-color challenge. “At first, I was concerned about coverage, but it’s been performing great. It’s staying wet, not drying out, and holding up on a big job like this,” said Iain. For shops looking to follow their lead, Living Ink Vintage Black is another stellar option for achieving soft, eco-friendly prints with a natural tone.
With every shirt, New Avenues Ink proves that sustainability and social impact go hand in hand. They are printing opportunity and a better future for our youth. Ryonet is proud to help power the print at every level, for every community.