'Everything Print-Related': Travis Ross of Print On Demand Cast on Why Decorators Should Attend PRINTING United Expo

With PRINTING United Expo 2024 only being a few short months away — Sept. 10 – 12 in Las Vegas — everyone in the print industry is gearing up for one of the best events to network, explore new technology, and learn about new business strategies. Highlighting this year’s event on the apparel decoration side will be a strong lineup of exhibitors, education sessions, and a re-imagined Apparelist Live Zone.

As we prepare for this year’s Expo, we’re putting the spotlight on a few of the attendees already registered and ready to make the most of everything it has to offer. Check out why they’re excited to be onsite.

Travis Ross – Make Your Mark Design and Print on Demand Cast

Owner – Make Your Mark Design (MYMD)
Co-host – Print on Demand Cast (industry podcast)

Apparelist: Is this your first year attending PRINTING United Expo?

Ross: I attended in Vegas several years ago when it was still SGIA. I haven’t attended since the rebrand to PRINTING United Alliance because of the dates conflicting with our Q4 ramp up. Being that print-on-demand (and specifically my business) is highly focused on e-commerce … [this year’s] dates make it easier to attend. I also scaled back MYMD and don’t have as much production to consider in Q4 anymore.

Apparelist: What are your expectations going into the Expo?

Ross: I absolutely LOVE the Expo and am really excited to attend this year once more. In my opinion, it’s the best show to attend to get a feel for just about EVERYTHING print-related. As a garment decorator and podcaster specifically talking about print-on-demand, it’s always a great show to see what’s new in the industry and get new ideas on how to utilize this technology into our listener’s POD businesses. It’s always great to network with other shop owners and decorators, as well. The ideas never stop coming!

Apparelist: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s PRINTING United Expo?

Ross: Really this will be a networking event for me. I’m smart enough to know that I DON’T know everything and can glean so much from others working in the business day-to-day. I also find that many printers aren’t doing much in the way of e-commerce so I feel I have a lot to offer them, as well.

Apparelist: Do you have any advice for those who might be on the fence about attending?

Ross: Don’t put this off. There’s just too much value to be had not only in the networking piece of the Expo, but also the educational tracks. There will likely be experts you can learn from for nearly any topic you’re interested in. Even if you only attend the Expo portion of the show, you’ll be able to talk to knowledgeable vendors that can give you new ideas on how to expand your business, from new cutting-edge tech that’s coming down the pike to answering questions about your existing equipment/tech that undoubtedly come up as you run the day-to-day in your business. I guarantee you’ll come away with new, fresh ideas.