Our Story
Union Press was born from a personal frustration with the screen printing industry. As a former retail store and clothing line owners, we found the traditional process and large facilities seemed more focused on profits rather than on the artistry of t-shirt printing and customer service. Our mission is to offer a more personal, transparent, and satisfying screen printing experience.
Our Promise
We strive to make your screen printing journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. From the initial quote to final production, our team’s attention to detail and open communication ensures that your project is in the best hands.
Our Team
Here's more about how we got here and what we think makes us different...
Union Press was founded in 2004 by Zach Wilson. Zach grew up a latchkey kid on a skateboard and as a teen dabbled in making diy shirts at a friends parent print shop around 1990. His business adventures started when he opened a small skateboard shop in Downtown Kansas City in 1999. The area was pretty much a ghost town at that time, but thanks to grassroots small businesses like these, it would eventually become known as The Crossroads Arts District. Zach worked part time at a print shop during these years to help keep the skate shop afloat (and to make gear for the shop of course!). Zach has always been active as an entrepeneur, organizer, mentor, and a KC advocate, across many projects over the years. -And is also a pretty good fisherman today.
All the way back to 1999: Zach opens a neighborhood skateboard shop...
During the skateshop years Zach led multiple campaigns working with the City and the Parks and Rec Dept. to get multiple local skateparks approved, funded, and built, including Penn Valley skatepark in KCMO. The skateboard shop was a little ahead of its time and only lasted about 4 or 5 years, but Zach still prints his Lovely brand at Union Press today! You can check it out here: Lovely Skateboards
2002: Found a deal on some printing equipment and rented a warehouse space...
Frustrated with process of buying t-shirts from big shops for his little shop, Zach purchases some printing equipment and rents a warehouse space in the historical West Bottoms area. This is where Union Press would eventually be born. This shop was a lot of fun, and grew quickly as we found many of our friends also needed printing. Zach hosted numerous 'block party' style community car shows here, and the shop had an art gallery space that would host art shows and events. We built a big skateboard ramp in the warehouse for an art show (that stayed and became the employee breakroom / fitness center).
2014: Time to get to work! New location, new chapter...
2014 was our big move! Zach purchases a building in KCK and moves the shop into it's new location and the focus changes from fun to business. We start off with one eight color automatic press and quickly end up adding a second automatic as workload grows. In 2015 we officially sign with District Council 3 and become a Union shop. Today 100% of all staff are active Union card holders.
2020: New equipment, newest technology, new level of capacity...
2020 the shop gets it's first upgrade to brand new equipment and is fully updated with the newent technology, unlocking an expanded printing capacity-just in time for Covid. We launch no cost fundraising stores to help shuttered businesses and to keep the presses spinning. The shop continues to grow at a rapid pace, becoming one of Kansas City's premier print shops. In 2023 after years of nominations, Union Press is officially awarded Best of KC for Screen Printing.
2025: Expansion time, moving into a new 12,000 sq. ft. production facility!
2025 new building...Coming Soon!!!
What makes Union Press different?
Highest Level of Customer Service
We care about your order. Large or small, and we want your project to be a success. Our team is here for you every step, from quote to delivery, to make your screen printing experience friendly and stress fee. We strive to be the company you trust and come back to for all your printing needs. Our personalized level of service and commitment to quality builds strong relationships with our clients. Our team is here for you.
Proudly Union-Made
We are a proud Union company, offering many USA and Union-made products. 100% of our employees are Union card holders, DC3 Local 820, ensuring that our operations and products uphold the highest standards of quality and labor practices.
Why Union Press?
We're easy to work with, and here to help. We can handle large scale projects and save you time and legwork. We simply do not miss deadlines, 99% of our projects are delivered on time and accurate. Sometimes things are unavoidable, but we'll always give you a heads up in that case. No excuses, just quality products with satisfaction guaranteed. We will get it right the first time, but if you are ever unhappy with our product we will do what we can to make it right. With Union Press you're not just a customer, you are a print partner.
Get in Touch
Ready to start your next project? Contact Union Press today and experience why we’re the trusted choice for all your screen printing needs. Email or call us today for a free quote or to discuss your project. Let us help make your next printing project a success.
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