Across the apparel decorating community, the need for education has become a war cry. Decorators continue to look for ways to explore new printing technologies, implement fresh business models, and find ways to improve and grow their businesses.

Lee Stuart, founder of Rogue Lab, saw this need for higher education in the industry. “YouTube videos and free tutorials will only take you so far,” he believes. “At some point, you need real structure if you actually want to hit that next level.”

That’s why he decided to launch The Rogue Academy, a platform that Stuart hopes will elevate the level of education for decorators. Launched in February 2026, the goal with The Rogue Academy is to “build the gold standard for training in this industry, covering both the production side and the business side,” Stuart explains.

Lee Stuart, founder of Rogue Lab and The Rogue Academy | Credit: The Rogue Academy by Lee Stuart

While it’s still young, Stuart is excited about what the future holds for it. Currently, users can download “The Rogue Production System” and enlist 1:1 coaching. But eventually, he plans to provide online courses, in-person events, additional downloadable resources, and more. “Honestly we’re just getting started,” he says. “There’s a ton of new stuff coming down the pipeline that I’m excited about. The best thing you can do right now is start with downloading the free guide I wrote and see what interests you from there.”

There is a cost associated with the various offerings so far; however, Stuart notes that it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. “The Rogue Academy has different programs and products at different price points depending on what you need,” he says.

Currently, there are about 5,000+ users between free and paid products. Looking ahead, Stuart’s goal for growth is simply to dig deeper. “Whether you’re just starting out in the decorated apparel space or you’ve been running a shop for years and feel stuck, this is built for you,” he says. “If you want to tighten up your production, grow your revenue, and actually run your business like a business, this is the place. It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from. It matters where you want to go.”

Beyond The Rogue Academy, Stuart has big plans for Rogue Lab as well. “We’re about to break ground on a much bigger and fancier new facility, so there will be some huge changes in the next year,” he says. “We’re close to being the largest shop in our province. The five-year goal is to be one of the largest in Canada. I have a great team of core people and we’ve built some rock-solid systems that keep getting better.”

For anyone interested in The Rogue Academy, Stuart encourages them to take the plunge. “My goal is simple: help as many people as I can build better systems, make more money, and build a business they’re actually proud of,” he says. “That’s always been the intention behind my YouTube and social media content, and that’s already helped thousands of people. The Rogue Academy is just the next step, a way to take that further through more in-depth training and education.”