Last summer, my phone buzzed with a message that would spark one of the most exciting partnerships in recent memory. It was the drummer of Hawthorne Heights:
"The Emo’s Not Dead camp gave me your number. We run our own print shop, and I wanted to know if you would be willing to chat about a possible collaboration with our brand and yours?"
I’ve met plenty of bands-turned-screen-printers over the years, but few are actively touring, recording hit records, and running a thriving print shop at the same time. When I got on the phone with JT and the rest of the band, it was clear they were not only passionate about music but also invested in building a printing business they could be proud of.
Hawthorne Heights had been printing their own merch for years, and they’d recently decided to take things to the next level by purchasing a new building. They wanted to scale their operation—not just to produce their own merch but also to expand into printing for other bands and clients. They’d outgrown their older, smaller automatic press and needed something more capable.
When I saw their space, it was clear the new location had its quirks. The building was compact, with pillars spaced every 12 feet, limiting layout options.
Power was another challenge: they didn’t have a ton of available amperage, and adding a separate air compressor to support a traditional press would have been both expensive and noisy.
On top of that, like many independent businesses, they were working with a budget that demanded efficiency without sacrificing quality.
Fortunately, this was right when we introduced the ROQ E automatic screen
printing press to the U.S. market. It turned out to be the perfect fit for the band’s needs. This new press includes an onboard air compressor, so it provides all the benefits of pneumatic pressure—like quick screen clamping and smooth airflow for flash dryers—without requiring an external compressor.
It also saves about 30 amps of power, which is a huge deal in older buildings where electrical upgrades are costly.
Plus, the ROQ E’s compact body fit neatly into the limited space between those pesky pillars.vAfter a few meetings with the band to finalize the setup, JT gave the final thumbs up with a literal, “This ROQ’s!”
Over the next few months, the band installed their new ROQ E press just in time to prep for a whirlwind year that included touring and festivals like When We Were Young. Their “20 Years of Tears” tour celebrating two decades of emo anthems was already in full swing.
The new press made life easier in ways they hadn’t even anticipated. One standout moment came when they had to add extra tour dates after the original schedule was extended. Thanks to the ROQ E’s onboard laser alignment system, they were able to precisely drop the new dates onto shirts they’d already printed, saving them time, money, and stress.
For a band that thrives on both the road and in the print shop, it’s been an ideal setup.
I got to see the band live during a stop in Portland, where Rob Welch and I grabbed some backstage photos and videos. Watching them perform brought me back to my own roots in the music scene.
Between classics like Ohio Is for Lovers and their new track Gold Econoline, which reflects on their early days chasing a dream, it was impossible not to feel inspired.
The energy they poured into their music felt like an extension of the passion they bring to their print shop.
This January, we’re bringing that passion to Long Beach, where Hawthorne Heights will headline ROQ Fest during the Impressions Show. They’ll play for an audience of screen printers, artists, and fans who know what it means to build something meaningful with their own hands.
It’s a special kind of full-circle moment to work with a band like this—one that’s lived the DIY ethos for decades. Whether it’s laying down tracks in the studio, loading screens in the print shop, or stepping onto the stage, they’re proving that creativity and hustle can go hand in hand.
If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing your passion, fueled by late nights, long drives, and piles of t-shirts, this is the event for you.
Join us at ROQ Fest 2024, celebrate Hawthorne Heights, and let’s toast to the music, the merch, and the magic that makes it all possible.
ROQ on!
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