Impressions - August/September 2021 - 33

C ALIF ORNIA SHIR T SMITHS A T A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: California Shirtsmiths
ADDRESS: 5422 Oceanus Dr. Huntington Beach, CA 92649
FOUNDED: 2017
NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 1
DECORATING METHODS OFFERED: Screen printing, embroidery,
direct-to-garment printing
COMPANY WEBSITE & INSTAGRAM: theshirtsmith.com; @ca.shirtsmiths
Left
Vu's shop not only is equipped for top-of-the-line screen
printing, but also is stylistic, with a musical influence
scattered throughout.
When he originally started the business, Vu
feared plunging into a market that seemed
saturated with competition.
" In a five-mile radius of my shop, I believe
there are almost a dozen other screenprinting
shops, " Vu says. " But I no longer
have that fear because I've honed a method
of screen printing that not many people
can nail. Being a smaller shop, I can offer
lower minimums to my clients, which is
nice when you don't need 500 shirts for
your men's basketball league that you and
your buddies recently formed. "
With a carved-out niche in place, Vu
set his sights on combining his love for
screen printing with another passion: Muay
Thai, a martial art and combat sport that
uses stand-up striking along with various
clinching techniques. It's also known as the
" art of eight limbs, " and is characterized by
using eight points of contact, consisting of
punches, elbows, knees and kicks.
" I've managed to bridge a certain gap
between my business and the Muay Thai
community here in California, " Vu says.
" There's nothing like interacting and working
with people that you've admired your
whole life. Now, being able to call them
my friends and clients is a little bit surreal. "
California Shirtsmiths has become the
community's hub for Muay Thai-inspired
prints, a product not offered by other local
screen printers. He even collaborated with
a legendary Los Angeles-based Muay Thai
photographer, printing
photos on T-shirts to
bring the sport to life.
According to Vu, Muay
Thai fighters are creative,
interesting and inspiring
people.
Vu takes
" Quite a few of the designs
that I've printed for folks in the
community are some of my favorites, "
he says. " The cherry on top is the
relationships I've created with everyone
that I meet. Lately, I've been bonding and
connecting with almost every client that
walks through the door for the first time.
I've been fortunate to have these beautiful
interactions because to me, that is what life
is all about. The money comes afterward. "
Looking Forward
Unlike other businesses that were negatively
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,
California Shirtsmiths weathered the storm
and is thriving. Vu says partnering with the
Muay Thai community was a coincidence
that happened as the viral outbreak began.
" I'm insanely fortunate, " Vu says. " I'm
not going to give myself all of the credit.
I think a lot of it was just dumb luck. But
I think when luck, hard work and good
intentions come together, fireworks ignite. "
Vu is using this ignition as the catalyst for
California Shirtsmiths' future. Although he's
pride in his
work, completing
orders around the clock.
aware of the technological advances made
with other apparel-decoration methods,
screen printing always will remain close
to his heart.
" My vision for California Shirtsmiths
is to have the name be synonymous with
top-notch, high-end screen printing, " he
says. " And also, to perhaps have it become
self-sustaining. "
As of today, Vu is working seven days a
week - sometimes up to 14 hours a day.
Despite printing being his primary passion,
he is hopeful for a better balance between
his work and personal life.
" I know that I have to work to get there, "
Vu says. " I'm holed up in the shop all the
time, so most people don't understand why
I don't go out very often. I understand
that all of this is my investment toward
my future, my business, and ultimately, my
life. And plus, it doesn't hurt that I enjoy
printing. It truly doesn't feel like work
anymore. " 
AUG./SEPT. 2021
P.33
http://www.theshirtsmith.com
Impressions - August/September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - August/September 2021
