MADE Laboratory

Name

MADE Laboratory

Legal name

Niche Undertakings, LLC

Website

https://madelab.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Apparel Decoration Education and Testing Services

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

Keywords

• Screen printing education
• Apparel decoration research
• Decorated apparel training
• Embroidery training services
• Print industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MADE Laboratory is a dedicated research, development, and education center for the decorated apparel industry. It provides four core service pillars: Design x Development (artwork and design services), Events x Education (workshops, courses, and industry conferences), Testing x Development (fabric, ink, equipment, and production technique R&D), and Training x Support (technical training and ongoing operational support). The company also delivers a catalog of stand-alone courses and conferences covering screen printing, embroidery, DTG, DTF, water-based, automation, and business-building topics.

Product overview

MADE Laboratory is a dedicated research and development center and education platform for the decorated apparel industry. The company operates as a multi-service organization offering four core service pillars: Design × Development (artwork and design services), Events × Education (workshops, courses, and conferences including Print Hustlers, ThreadX, Make-Ready, and Manifest), Testing × Development (apparel testing and R&D services), and Training × Support (technical training and support). MADE Laboratory also provides a comprehensive catalog of educational offerings including screen printing courses (Learn to ROQ, MADE to ROQ Series), embroidery training (Essentials, Digitizing, Backing & Hooping), automation courses (Automation 101/102), water-based printing workshops (WB/Week, WB Camp, FX Camp), and business/marketing courses. The company hosts industry events including Make-Ready (free annual hands-on event in Fort Worth), Manifest Conference (premier leadership conference in Dallas), and provides on-demand access to conference content through Print Hustlers On-Demand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design x Development Design and development services for the branded apparel space, helping decorators with artwork creation, screen preparation, and design consultation.
• Events x Education Industry education and events offering including workshops, courses, and conferences (Print Hustlers, ThreadX, Make-Ready, and Manifest) covering screen printing, embroidery, automation, water-based, and business topics.
• Testing x Development Apparel testing and R&D services where manufacturers and decorators test fabrics, inks, equipment, and production techniques in a dedicated laboratory environment.
• Training x Support Technical training and ongoing support services for apparel decorators, covering equipment operation, workflow optimization, and process improvement.
• Learn to ROQ Introductory automatic screen printing class teaching foundational skills for operating ROQ screen printing equipment.
• MADE to ROQ Automatic Screen Printing Series Advanced automatic screen printing training series for experienced decorators seeking to master ROQ equipment and techniques.
• WB/Week (Water-Based Week) Exclusive water-based ink education series with hands-on Basics class and advanced WB Camp workshop focused on water-based screen printing techniques.
• WB Camp Advanced water-based screen printing workshop for decorators looking to expand into specialty water-based ink applications.
• FX Camp Special effects printing workshop covering specialty printing techniques and applications.
• Screen Printing 101 Foundational screen printing training for new printers entering the industry.
• Automation 101 Entry-level automation training covering basic workflow automation concepts for screen print shops.
• Automation 102 Advanced automation training for production managers and operators looking to optimize shop workflows.
• Embroidery Essentials 101 Foundational embroidery training covering basic equipment operation and techniques.
• Digitizing 101 Training on converting artwork into embroidery-ready digitizing files.
• Backing and Hooping Technical training on proper backing application and hooping techniques for embroidery production.
• Production and Troubleshooting 101 Advanced embroidery course covering production optimization and common problem-solving techniques.
• Business 101 Business fundamentals course covering ownership, operations, and strategic planning for apparel decorators.
• Marketing 102 Advanced marketing course covering customer communication, social strategy, and growth systems.
• G2 Camp Marketing and business growth workshop focused on go-to-market programming and customer engagement strategies.
• Beyond The Tracks Specialty exploration workshop covering laser engraving, sublimation, promotional products, and live activations.
• Make-Ready Free annual industry event featuring live equipment demonstrations, educational sessions, and networking at MADE Laboratory's Fort Worth facility.
• Manifest Conference Premier leadership conference for decorators, promotional products distributors, apparel sellers, and supply-chain partners featuring economic analysis, keynote speakers, and strategic planning sessions.
• Print Hustlers Conference Annual thought leadership conference for the decorated apparel industry featuring keynote speakers, networking, and business-building sessions.
• ThreadX Conference Industry conference focused on networking, education, and growth opportunities for apparel decorators.
• Print Hustlers On-Demand Digital access pass providing full access to presentations, workshops, and speaker resources from Print Hustlers Conference.

Quantifiable outcome

• MADE Laboratory's team discovered they spend approximately 20 hours per week mixing ink, revealing significant ROI opportunity for automated ink dispensers

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Printed ThreadscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Printed Threads is co-located with MADE Laboratory in Fort Worth and co-hosts Make-Ready events. Printed Threads operates a production facility next door to MADE Laboratory, allowing attendees to see how technologies are integrated into real-world workflows. Brett Bowden is co-founder of both companies.
• Impressions ExpocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMADE Laboratory has partnered with Impressions Expo to create Manifest 2026, a premier conference for the branded apparel industry. The partnership combines Manifest's leadership-level programming with Impressions Expo's education schedule including WB Camp, FX Camp, Screen Printing 101, Automation 101/102, and embroidery workshops.
• Steven Farag / Campus InkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteven Farag of Campus Ink leads workshops at MAKE Laboratory events, focusing on AI adoption with employees and vibe coding tools for print shops. Farag developed a 20-day AI sprint program that helps employees build real-world AI skills and integrate AI into daily work.
• ROQmajorTechnology or IntegrationROQ is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides automatic screen printing equipment for demonstrations at the facility. ROQ.US offers automatic screen printing education and training programs that MADE Laboratory promotes and hosts.
• AvientmajorTechnology or IntegrationAvient is a major sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides automated ink dispensing systems used at MADE Laboratory. Brian Lessard, MADE Laboratory team member, previously headed Avient's ink applications laboratory.
• SAATImajorTechnology or IntegrationSAATI is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides Hi-Dro mesh technology and E70B laser systems for testing. MADE Laboratory conducts real-world testing of SAATI mesh products and provides feedback on performance.
• Brother DTGmajorTechnology or IntegrationBrother DTG is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides direct-to-garment printing equipment for demonstrations at the MADE Laboratory facility.
• STAHLS'majorTechnology or IntegrationSTAHLS' is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides heat printing solutions for demonstrations at the facility.
• Tajima (Hirsch)majorTechnology or IntegrationHirsch Tajima is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides embroidery machines for demonstrations at the facility.
• Easiway / BluWatermajorTechnology or IntegrationEasiway and BluWater are sponsors of Make-Ready events, providing screen reclaiming and cleaning solutions for demonstrations.
• GrimcomajorTechnology or IntegrationGrimco is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides DTF Station equipment for demonstrations at the facility.
• GSFmajorTechnology or IntegrationGSF (Graphics Screen Fashion) is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides frames and mesh for demonstrations.
• PMI TapemajorTechnology or IntegrationPMI Tape is a sponsor of Make-Ready events and provides screen printing tape products for demonstrations.
• RyonetmajorTechnology or IntegrationRyonet is a sponsor of Make-Ready events. Ryan Moor, co-founder of MADE Laboratory, also founded Ryonet.
• BELLA+CANVASmajorTechnology or IntegrationBELLA+CANVAS is a sponsor of Make-Ready events. Tom Davenport, co-founder of MADE Laboratory, is a full-time consultant for BELLA+CANVAS.

Scale indicators2 records

Others

• BELLA+CANVAS: BELLA+CANVAS is a major apparel manufacturer whose consulting relationship with MADE Lab co-founder Tom Davenport and sponsorship of Make-Ready puts it in close contact with the lab. It competes for attention and influence in the same decorated apparel education ecosystem.
• Ryonet: Ryonet is a screen printing equipment, supplies, and education company founded by MADE Lab co-founder Ryan Moor. It operates Ryonet U training, demo events, and a sizable YouTube education channel — directly adjacent to MADE Lab's education and Testing x Development services.
• STAHLS': STAHLS' is a major heat printing equipment and consumables supplier that also runs extensive online training, education content, and an in-house demo facility. It is a MADE Lab sponsor but also operates as a partial competitor in apparel decoration education and equipment training.
• Printwear Magazine: Printwear is a long-running trade publication and event organizer serving the decorated apparel and promotional products industry. It competes for the same audience attention as MADE Lab's blog, Print Hustlers, and Make-Ready events, and serves a similar informational and education role for decorators and distributors.

Broad incumbents

• Printful: Printful is a large-scale DTG and screen printing service bureau that competes for the same decorator and shop-owner audience MADE Lab educates. While its business model is direct-to-consumer rather than education, it shapes the competitive landscape MADE Lab's shop-owner customers operate in.
• S&S Activewear: S&S Activewear is one of the largest apparel distributors in North America (recently acquiring alphabroder). It serves the same decorator customer base as MADE Lab, hosts its own industry events and education, and represents the consolidator side of the industry MADE Lab's customers operate within.
• M&R Companies: M&R is one of the largest manufacturers of screen printing equipment globally and operates its own demo/training centers. As a competitor to ROQ (MADE Lab sponsor and founder-affiliated), M&R competes with MADE Lab's testing/training value proposition from the equipment-manufacturer side.
• Printing United Alliance: Printing United Alliance is the leading industry trade association for printing and decorated apparel, where MADE Lab co-founder Brett Bowden sits on the board. It runs Printing United Expo and offers certifications, standards, and training — overlapping with MADE Lab's education and Testing x Development services at a broader industry level.

Emerging players

• Printify: Printify is a fast-growing print-on-demand and DTG platform serving merchants and decorators. It overlaps with MADE Lab's downstream customer base (DTF/DTG operators) and represents the technology-driven, software-centric evolution of decorated apparel that MADE Lab's testing and AI training initiatives aim to serve.

Direct peers

• Impressions Expo: Impressions Expo is the largest decorated apparel industry trade show in North America, running events with extensive education tracks (WB Camp, FX Camp, Screen Printing 101, Automation 101/102, embroidery workshops). It is the most direct competitor to MADE Lab for industry education and event mindshare, and the two organizations are also co-partners on Manifest 2026.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madelaboratory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MADE Laboratory