The 20-year anniversary celebration of Ryonet earlier this year brought together screen printing pros, new enthusiasts, and industry legends for a day filled with memories, inspiration, and excitement. One of the biggest highlights? A surprise appearance by Riley Hopkins himself! For those who missed it, here’s a recap of the event and the milestones that have shaped the legacy of these screen printing trailblazers.
GARAGE BEGINNINGS TO INDUSTRY LEADERS
The story of Riley Hopkins is one of humble beginnings turned groundbreaking success. Riley started with a small shop in his garage, building presses that were simple, functional, and innovative. When he partnered with Ryonet, they combined their passion for screen printing and their shared vision of making it more accessible. Early on, Riley’s "Joystick Series" presses became a game-changer, bringing easy micro-registration to the industry with a unique joystick design that mimicked a video game controller.
Together, Ryonet and Riley Hopkins made high-quality screen printing more attainable by selling presses bundled with affordable DIY kits, allowing countless entrepreneurs to kickstart their own shops. Sales skyrocketed, moving from the garage to a full-fledged factory in just a few years.
Fun fact: The event featured a throwback display of one of the original Joystick presses, now a vintage classic signed by Riley himself.
RELATED: RILEY HOPKINS PRESSES: SCREEN PRINTING EQUIPMENT BUILT LIKE RACE CARS
MADE IN AMERICA: COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is Riley’s commitment to American craftsmanship. During the anniversary event, he shared that making presses in the U.S. wasn’t just about supporting local industry; it was about ensuring quality and building lasting products. Each Riley Hopkins press is designed to withstand the demands of a busy print shop while offering the precision and durability that screen printers rely on.
We also emphasized the importance of this legacy, sharing that our July Fourth "Made in America" campaign is one of our proudest annual traditions, showcasing the commitment to quality equipment built right here at home.
RELATED: MADE IN VANCOUVER, WA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BUILDING BUSINESSES AND INSPIRING CREATIVITY
For both Ryonet and Riley Hopkins, selling a press has always been more than just a business transaction. As Riley said, every press sold represents someone starting a business, creating jobs, or making art a part of their life. The excitement in the crowd was undeniable when they were asked, “How many of you started with a Riley Hopkins press?”—and nearly half the room raised their hands. This moment captured the essence of the day: the impact of a legacy built on empowering others to follow their dreams.
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM RILEY: “DARE TO BE WEIRD”
Riley also offered some timeless advice for newcomers to screen printing: “Dare to be weird.” He encouraged everyone to get creative, embrace the unexpected, and push boundaries with their designs. For him, the heart of screen printing is about experimenting and seeing what works, even if it’s a little out there. Riley’s philosophy has always been to dive in and let the work speak for itself, rather than worrying about perfection from the start.
INSPIRED TO START YOUR OWN SCREEN PRINTING JOURNEY?
If you’re feeling inspired by the legacy Riley Hopkins, why not start your own journey? Check out the line of Riley Hopkins presses available through screenprinting.com. These presses have helped launch thousands of small businesses and have stood the test of time!