From Startup to Mentors: Six12 Printing – A Story of Family, Faith, and Grit

Is it possible to go from amateurs to mentors and inspirations in just a few years? The incredible story of Six12 Printing, a screen printing business in Dallas, Texas, proves that it is. At Anatol, we believe it’s important to spotlight the people and businesses that fuel the screen printing industry. Today, we’re excited to share the inspiring journey of Jon and Joe, the passionate minds behind Six12 Printing.

How It All Started

Six12 Printing is not your average business. Jon is married to Gloria, Joe’s sister. Gloria handles the financials and logistics, supported by Joe’s wife Jessica, who ensures the wellness and success of the team.

The idea was sparked in 2020, when Gloria and Joe were casually discussing starting a clothing brand. Joe recalled his college friends using silk screens for art projects. That’s when Gloria realized, “Why don’t we cut out the middleman, buy our own equipment, and just do it ourselves?”

Jon and Joe began joking about going 50/50 on a manual press, but before long, it transformed into a serious proposition. That’s when they decided to make their idea a reality.

Humble Beginnings

Newly married, Joe and Jessica had just bought a house, and so the starter screen printing kit Jon and Joe bought, which included a manual press and flash cure unit, went straight into their garage. Just next door, Jon converted his master closet into a DIY darkroom using a moisture remover and a homemade dry box.

Then came the learning curve. “We quickly realized how much we didn’t know at first.” Joe recalls. Jon adds, “I had no idea what screen printing was. We went to YouTube University, made a whole bunch of mistakes, and kind of just learned along the way.”

But Jon and Joe didn’t let their mistakes discourage them. Every setback became a lesson, and only further encouraged them to work harder. As they practiced and improved their skills, they eventually began accepting small, one-color jobs. 

With growing confidence, they upgraded their gear, making the decision to invest in an Anatol Thunder manual press and a conveyor dryer.

The Order That Changed Everything

With their gear improved, they started printing faster and more consistently. Jon and Joe got their business rolling by sharing their work with friends and musicians from churches and local groups.

Then, the unexpected happened: a 2,500-shirt order. The order included prints on both the front and back, using puff ink, all during the brutal heat of a Texas summer. Most would have turned it down or outsourced. Not Six12.

Despite the heat, they managed with their modest setup. They were still using their original flash cure unit, and thus had to resort to timing each cure by counting out loud, “20 Mississippi.” The process was grueling, but their hard work paid off. Not only was the order fulfilled in time, the client was thrilled.

The Next Level

That massive order made one thing clear: it was time for a change of pace. The team retired the “20 Mississippi” method and brought in the Anatol Rapid Wave for flash curing. Their social media started picking up, helping them attract more clients and new opportunities.

In late 2022, they took a bold step and decided to give automation a try with the Anatol Vector automatic screen printing press. They also welcomed a new member, Josiah, to the team, who took over digital content creation and helped share their brand vision with a wider audience.

By 2023, their business had grown enough to invest in new real estate, complete with a proper workshop. No more darkrooms in closets, or emulsion on the carpet. It was time to fully embrace their thriving business.

What’s Next for Six12?

With their business booming and their brand growing, Jon and Joe never forgot the support they got along the way. From the start of their journey, YouTubers like Taino Ink and experienced printers like Streetwearhouse helped inspire their work, teach them new techniques, and allow them to pursue this dream.

Nowadays, they’ve decided to shift their focus toward mentoring aspiring screen printers and giving back to the community. Jon and Joe emphasize how important it is to take a chance. “Don’t be scared or nervous about reaching out to other printers,” Jon says, “Talking to someone more experienced is the best advice you can get.” “And don’t be discouraged by comparison,” Joe adds. “Stay humble, stay pure, and have integrity in your work ethic.”

Six12 is expanding their services, now offering DTG (Direct-to-Garment) printing, to expand their customer base and allowing for new, exciting designs. Jon, on his part, is creating an eBook all about guiding screen printers on how to mix their ink colors accurately. 

Six12 continues to grow, and with Jon and Joe’s incredible talents and perseverance, it’s only uphill from here.

Thank you to Six12 for sitting down with us and sharing their remarkable journey in starting their screen printing business. Check out their amazing prints on their website, and make sure to follow them on their social media to stay up to date on their latest ventures.

Anatol Equipment is honored to have helped Six12 Printing set up their equipment and clear a path in efficiently delivering quality products. If you’re ready to upgrade your small business like they have, check out our newest automatic screen printing press, the all-electric Anatol VOLT, and more like it on our website.