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TWO DECADES OF MERCH LOOKBOOK
The Early Years
Our founders, Alex and Jared, met while in high school in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Alex was a prominent local concert promoter and played in a band while Jared built web sites for local musicians. The two met in 2001 and began working together on various web and graphic design projects for local and regional musical acts.
After relocating to Orlando to attend UCF, the two officially founded AKT, as we know today, in the winter of 2005. Operating out of their apartments, the two quickly built a respectable client roster of website and apparel design clients.
They were regularly asked where their customers should print their merchandise. At first, AKT was referring--then outsourcing these orders to other print shops. Soon after, the decision was made to open a print shop of their own.
It was at that time, they rented AKT's very first warehouse in Orlando, received a crash course in screen printing, and printed the very first t-shirt.
Initially, there were only two 4-color manual presses and the warehouse was less than 1/10th the size of AKT's current footprint!
As time went on, AKT's growth necessitated the addition of automatic screen printing presses, bigger warehouses, and a much larger team to support it all.
Our first facility | 2005 - 2007 | 2,900 sq ft
Our third facility | 2008 - 2013 | 13,100 sq ft
Continued Growth & Expansion
Bringing in Grant as a partner in 2007, AKT's leadership team was more prepared than ever to bring in new clients and offer new services. Putting a heavy emphasis on growing as a sales organization, AKT quickly became one of the fastest growing, independent entertainment merchandisers in the country.
Boasting a staff of over 100, AKT offers far more than screen printing and graphic design services.
The Orlando headquarters features seven automatic screen printing presses, a state-of-the-art Digital Squeegee hybrid printer, direct-to-garment digital printing, a full-service e-commerce fulfillment team, e-commerce customer service, a graphic & web design studio, a robust purchasing and outsourcing team, and an account services team unlike any other in the industry. AKT's network of production partners across the globe provide us with the ability to offer incredible product at unmatched speeds.
The company has become a finely-tuned boutique merchandising partner for artists, brands, and businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Our current headquarters | 2014 - Present | 43,000 sq ft
Manufacturing Services
Screen Printing, Digital Hybrid Printing, Direct-to-Garment Printing, & Embroidery
Promotional Products & Accessories
Custom Cut-and-Sew Apparel & Accessories
Vinyl, Cassettes, & CDs
Other Services
E-Commerce Fulfillment & Customer Service
VIP Experience & Events
Creative Services
Full-Service Tour Merchandise Management
Clients
AKT's foundation was always small bands, brands, and businesses. We will never forget our roots and always strive to offer our services at affordable prices.
While continuing to service local and regional artists, up-and-coming clothing brands, community organizations, and small businesses, AKT has the infrastructure, production capabilities, and experience to support large-scale merchandising support to Oprah, Snoop Dogg, TikTok, 30 Seconds To Mars, World of Beer, Pierce The Veil, ZOA Energy, A Day To Remember, Jawbreaker, Sleep Token, and more.
Projects Throughout the Years
Many services offered by AKT began as standalone ventures. Those that were service-based eventually rolled into the overall AKT brand as the organization had become a globally recognized entertainment merchandiser.
MERCHANDISING PROJECTS
Ticketspin (2005 - Present) - Originally launched as a point of sale for concert promoters. It eventually evolved into a VIP & Ticket Upgrade service for artists.
Designspin (2005 - 2010) - A website where musicians could purchase pre-made and ready-to-edit t-shirt designs.
Merchspin (2005 - 2012 ) - When we first started making custom merchandise, it was under this name.
District Lines (2005 - 2022) - AKT's e-commerce services were first offered under this brand until it was retired in 2022.
Threadspin (2007 - 2010) - When we began to offer embroidery services, it was under this moniker.
Buttonspin (2007) - A website where musicians could purchase pre-made button designs with an option to produce them.
Big Top Shirts (2011 - 2014) - Retail stores located near college campuses around Central Florida and offered custom merchandise services catered to college markets.
Mintees (2011 - 2021) - An online t-shirt design showcase, forum, and community that was home to thousands of the greatest merchandise designers in the industry.
Glad Rags Ink (2013 - 2016) - A full-service print shop located in Pomona, CA that we partnered with, acquired, and eventually absorbed into AKT.
OTHER PROJECTS
1982 Bar (2006 - 2007) - Gainesville-based all ages bar and concert venue. We sold the bar in 2007 but it continued to prosper for another decade.
Give Them Wings To Fly (2007 - 2013) - A community fundraising initiative to raise money for local music education.
Smartpunk (2010 - Present) - We acquired the cornerstone punk rock website and relaunched it as a record label, vinyl distro, and physical record shop.
The Copper Rocket (2017 - Present) - We acquired an historic Orlando area sports bar and rebuilt it from the ground up!
Permanent Vacation (2023 - Present) - A speakeasy, reservation-only tiki bar added as an expansion to The Copper Rocket.
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