Apparel Decorator Panel and Classes at GRAPHICS PRO EXPO California

For shops involved in apparel decorating, GRAPHICS PRO EXPO in Long Beach, California, Aug. 17-19, features a wide variety of exhibitors and programs designed to educate, inform, and entertain. All of these programs are free when you register for GPX Long Beach.

Lon Winters of Graphic Elephants will host the Apparel Decorator Panel, and teach a class: Tips and Techniques for High-Impact, Profitable Screen Printing.

Other classes focused on apparel decorating include:

• Join the DTG/DTF Revolution, sponsored by Hirsch Solutions Inc.
• Heat Press for Profit LIVE, sponsored by STAHLS’
• Let Technology do the Work: Using Software to Grow Your Business, sponsored by Inktavo
• Easiest Way to Print Apparel, sponsored by Transfer Express
• Perfect Print Placement, sponsored by Transfer Express
• How to Grow Your Business Using CRIO White Toner Printers, sponsored by TheMagicTouch USA

Apparel Decorator Panel

The Apparel Decorator Panel takes place on Friday, Aug. 18, from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Room 101 B. The panel will explore screen printing, DTG, DTF, embroidery, and heat transfer processes, as well as general business and marketing for shops looking to up their game in 2023. Panelists include:

Josh Merrell, Liquid Graphics

Josh Merrell is Founder and CEO of Liquid Graphics, Inc. His 22-year career includes expertise in brand building, sales and marketing, screen printing, operations, and developing domestic and international channels of distribution and licensing agreements in Japan, Western Europe, Australia, and Canada. He operates a full package screen print and manufacturing facility capable of producing in excess of 100,000 finished units per day with cut/sew manufacturing capabilities in China, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the U.S. Josh also had a professional career in racing 900+ Horsepower 4 wheel drive trucks competing in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series in the Unlimited Pro 4 Truck Class from 2009 through 2014.

Mark Gervais, Screen Printing Master

Mark Gervais is a passionate and dedicated screen-print veteran with over 45 years of experience. During that time, Mark diversified his background and experience by working for printed circuit board manufacturers, high-volume textile screen print production operations on the west coast and studied inks and applications with three different plastisol/water-base ink manufacturers for seven years.

For the past 15+ years, Mark designed three large, state-of-the-art, vertically integrated screen print operations for Asian-based apparel manufacturers, who produced apparel for several famous global sportswear brands. Having gained a solid understanding and experience with the process controls/variables, standardized systems and procedures, featuring facility lay-out, digital printing, robotics and automation, Mark brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience to share for all levels, along with some great stories.

Hailey Villa, Calimucho Screen Printing

Hailey Villa is a custom screen printing, decorating, and apparel specialist with two decades of experience in the industry. It all began back in 2003 when she fell in love with the idea of printing images of her mom skateboarding from the ‘60s onto cool t-shirts. She attended the US Screen Printing Institute where she earned a certificate in professional garment printing, became the in-house printer for a skateboarding brand-oriented distribution company, and ran her own screen-printing shop, Teal Press. Hailey is currently Customer Stoke and Sales Rep at Calimucho Screen Printing, San Pedro, California.

Sam Schinhofen, Anchored Prints

Sam Schinhofen is the CEO and founder of Anchored Prints and The Printing Network. Sam started out printing band merchandise for his friends and has grown the business exponentially since then with a manufacturing facility in Anaheim, California that prints more than 50,000 shirts a day.

Sam Liskey, Overcast Merch Inc.

Sam Liskey is the COO/Co-Founder of Overcast Merch, Long Beach, California, covering every facet of the merchandise industry, including printing, manufacturing, production, fulfillment, design, and creative.

Pierre Nedrick, Learn Too-Fly Co.

Pierre Nedrick is the proprietor of clothing brand Learn Too-Fly Co., and a DIY influencer skilled in direct-to-film transfers and heat transfer vinyl. He is also the author of How to Start Your Clothing Brand for $200: Make Your First Steps Count, without Breaking the Bank.

The panel and all Training in the Classroom at GPX Long Beach are free when you register before the day the event opens for education on August 16. For more information about the event – who’s exhibiting, networking opportunities, free training, the schedule, and more – go to g-p-x.com/ca.

GPX Long Beach Gold Sponsors are Epilog Laser, First Citizens Bank Equipment Finance (formerly CIT), FlexiShield, and Procolored Technology. Silver Sponsors are ORAFOL Americas and JDS Industries.