That unexpected rush: spotting our shirts in the wild

It always happens when I least expect it. I’ll be running errands, grabbing a coffee at Joya’s, or waiting in line at Trader Joe’s, and then I see it. A shirt I know by heart. One that once sat flat on a press, its design still tacky with fresh ink. Now it’s alive, worn by someone who probably doesn’t know me at all, but who chose that shirt as part of their day.

A Quiet Kind of Pride

There’s a strange mix of pride and disbelief that bubbles up in those moments. Screen printing can feel routine when you’re a sales rep or you’re in the shop… line up the shirt, pull the ink, cure it, repeat. But out in the real world, those same shirts carry weight. They’re uniforms for little league teams, conversation starters at local events, or maybe just someone’s favorite comfy tee. Seeing them outside of the shop reminds me that these aren’t just prints. They’re little pieces of art stitched into everyday life.

Stories You Don’t Get to Hear

What I love most is that every shirt I spot is part of a story I’ll never fully know. Maybe that family reunion shirt traveled all the way across states. Maybe the local brewery tee has been to concerts and campfires. The embroidery on a cap might mark someone’s first job, or a small business chasing its dream. Every thread, every print, keeps going long after it leaves my hands.

More Than Just Ink and Thread

People sometimes think printing and embroidery is just about logos and designs. But for me, it’s about connection. When I see one of “our” shirts in public, it’s proof that something we made matters enough for someone to wear it, wash it, and wear it again. That kind of validation isn’t loud or flashy… it’s quiet, human, and deeply motivating.

Why It Keeps Me Going

Those small encounters…. across the coffee shop, down the street, at the park, remind me why I fell in love with this craft. They’re a gentle nudge to keep perfecting the process, keep caring about the details, and keep chasing that moment of surprise when a shirt becomes part of someone else’s life.