The challenge
An operator conference at the San Diego Convention Center, January 24 to 27, 2026, booked live screen printing on the show floor. The schedule was split into sessions. Saturday was closed. Sunday ran 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday ran 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The activation
This was real screen printing on site. The crew ran three manual screen-printing presses with dryers on an open stage, printing 10-ounce cotton canvas totes from four different two-color graphics while guests lined up in front. Alongside the live work, 3,500 totes were pre-printed ahead of the show in two designs. Six staff were booked, on a daily five-hour minimum plus setup and teardown. Equipment and apparel came in by freight, and the client provided the hotel rooms.
The result
Two tracks ran side by side: 3,500 totes printed ahead for volume, and live two-color printing on three manual presses during show hours. Split sessions meant the presses worked in bursts, across four days on the calendar.