For over two decades, Hawthorne Heights has built more than just a music career—they’ve built a movement. From writing and recording their own music to owning their masters and printing their own merch, they’ve embodied the DIY ethos at every turn.
But it’s never been easy. As frontman JT Woodruff shared during a recent show, late nights weren’t always spent writing the next Ohio Is for Lovers—sometimes, they were spent fighting a three-color registration at midnight just to make sure they had merch for tour.
“One thing you might not know about us is for the past 15 years, our band has screen printed our own merch.
So that’s actually why we’re here. We are one of the original print hustlers. We had to forge our own path—it’s how we built longevity in this band.”
Now, that hustle has evolved into something bigger: Skeleton Club, their newly expanded print shop in Troy, Ohio. And at the heart of it? The ROQ E automatic press, a machine that fits their vision—and their space—perfectly.
A Press That Matches the Passion
When Hawthorne Heights moved into their new building, they reached out to our friends at Ryonet to explore how they could level up their shop. They needed a press that was fast, precise, and efficient—without sacrificing their hands-on, DIY approach.
The ROQ E was the perfect fit—literally. With 12-foot pillars in their lower-level print space, they needed a compact yet high-powered solution. The ROQ E delivers speed, accuracy, and all the top-tier features of an industrial press—without the need for an air compressor. Plus, it runs whisper-quiet, a stark contrast to the loud, grinding hustle of the past.
Now, instead of spending late nights wrestling with a manual press, they can focus on bringing their creative vision to life—faster and better than ever.
More Than a Print Shop—A Community
For Hawthorne Heights, Skeleton Club isn’t just about printing their own merch—it’s about giving back to the scene that shaped them. They’ve expanded their operation to print for other bands and artists, helping them keep more of what they earn and stay independent.
“The whole idea of this is working off of DIY and grinding and hustling and building a business and building a future.”
It’s a full-circle moment for a band that started out printing shirts just to survive on the road. Now, they’re helping the next generation do the same.
“One of the most important things you can do is to take ownership of every aspect of what you do. M. Whether it’s writing our songs, recording our music, owning our own masters, or screen printing our shirts—it’s all part of the journey.”
Chasing a Dream—By Any Means Necessary
Hawthorne Heights didn’t follow the traditional path. Like so many in the music and screen printing world, they carved out their own future, taking risks and chasing dreams on their own terms.
“We found a way to make it work from Ohio by any means necessary, and that means chasing a dream. You don’t have to go to college to chase a dream. You just have to chase a dream.”
The music industry is unpredictable. But by owning their process, building their business, and staying true to their DIY roots, Hawthorne Heights has created something sustainable—something bigger than just a band.
“Our generation has to leave it better than we found it. Wake up. Get out of bed. Don’t doom scroll on your phone, make a change.
Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing—focus on how you can build something meaningful in your own life because if you can do it in your life, you can help others do it in theirs.”
With Skeleton Club and the ROQ E, they’re proving that hard work, passion, and a relentless DIY spirit can build something that lasts.
Want to see their shop in action? Check out Skeleton Club in Troy, Ohio.
And if you’re ready to take control of your own future—maybe it’s time to start printing your own.
