At Anatol Equipment, we’re passionate about empowering small businesses with cutting-edge screen printing solutions. In this customer spotlight, we explore the journey of Kyle Blumenberg. He is the owner of West County Tees & Embroidery, a thriving custom merchandise business in Chesterfield, Missouri. Learn how Kyle and Kim built a successful community business with help from the Anatol VOLT automatic press.

The Birth of West County Tees & Embroidery

In 2006, Kyle, a graphic designer and hockey enthusiast, teamed up with his wife Kim, a sales expert, to launch West County Tees & Embroidery. They started their business with help from a local shop and one manual press — a six-color, six-station model. That’s how their business journey began

It all came together logically,” Kyle recalls. Kyle brought design expertise, while Kim had a natural talent for networking. Together, their skills helped build a business focused on quality and community.

The early days were a learning curve. While Kim handled marketing and built relationships through local business groups, Kyle concentrated on improving his screen printing techniques. Their dedication quickly paid off. In St. Louis’s active hockey community, Kyle’s past as a player helped them land a surge of custom jersey orders.

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Scaling Up with the Anatol VOLT

As demand grew, the limitations of their manual press became clear. “We had too many orders and not enough hands,” Kyle explains. While researching automatic presses, Kyle hesitated. He was concerned about potential maintenance issues and noise, particularly since the press would sit close to the front desk. That’s when they discovered the Anatol VOLT, an all-electric automatic screen printing press that changed everything.

The VOLT’s quiet operation, reliability, and precision made it the perfect fit. Kyle praises its ability to handle fine details and halftones with ease, stating, “It’s so much more consistent.”

The user-friendly interface made the transition seamless. This allowed the team to concentrate on creativity instead of worrying about equipment issues.

“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t use this thing!” Kyle enthuses.

Using the VOLT, West County Tees & Embroidery increased their production to keep up with growing demand. They now provide high-quality custom merchandise to schools, sports teams, and local organizations.

Expanding Services for Greater Effect

What sets West County Tees & Embroidery apart is their flexibility. In addition to screen printing, they provide embroidery and heat pressing services. With these services, they can create many types of products, from embroidered hats and jackets to screen-printed jerseys with heat-pressed numbers.

“We’re always doing multiple things for our customers,” Kyle explains. This multi-service approach has made them a go-to for camps, schools, and sports teams needing comprehensive solutions.

Their focus on quality and community support allowed the business to grow from two founders to a team of 15 experts, comprising screen printers, embroiderers, and designers. They’ve also become active community sponsors, supporting local hockey programs and school fundraisers. “We give back when we can and take care of the people that have taken care of us,” Kyle says.

Lessons for Aspiring Screen Printers

Kyle’s advice for those entering the screen printing industry? “The biggest thing is just learning.” He understands screen printing as both an artistic and technical skill, motivating new printers to explore online resources and focus on mastering their technique. His own journey, guided by a mentor and hands-on experience, underscores the value of persistence and continuous learning.

Powering Success with Anatol Equipment

Anatol Equipment proudly supports businesses like West County Tees & Embroidery by delivering reliable and advanced equipment, including the VOLT automatic press. Kyle’s journey demonstrates how the right tools enable small businesses to expand, innovate, and positively influence their communities.

Ready to take your screen printing business to the next level? Learn more about the Anatol VOLT and see how it can transform your production process. Watch Kyle Blumenberg’s full interview here and discover inspiration from his journey!

Here’s to West County Tees & Embroidery and their next 20 years of creativity, quality, and community success!