Faster Growth by Acquisition with Weston Cotton

Weston Cotton of Custom Print Graphics joins Steven and Bruce to break down one of the most aggressive acquisition strategies in the decorated apparel industry. In just 9 months since buying his first contract print shop in May 2025, Weston has closed 3 acquisitions and is working on a 4th—building a roll-up strategy that's transforming how print shops consolidate and scale. This episode is a masterclass in business acquisition for print shop owners. Weston shares the exact process of buying a business: from identifying red flags during due diligence to structuring creative deals with seller financing, service management agreements, and strategic debt consolidation. He reveals why he passed on a $500K deal for a 30,000 sq ft facility with 60 heads of embroidery and 4 automatics—and what made his actual acquisition the right move. Sponsors: GraphxSource: https://www.graphxsource.com/ Use PRINTAVOPOD for 50% off your first order Easiway: https://www.easiway.com/ Multicraft: https://www.multicraftink.com/ Mention Printavo and get 10% off your first order! Stahls: https://www.stahls.com/ - Use code HUSTLER20 for 20% off your first order! 0:00 - Intro 2:24 - Weston's Unconventional Path to Print 6:16 - The ETA Strategy: Buying vs. Starting 9:07 - Red Flags: The Wisconsin Deal That Fell Apart 12:57 - Understanding SDE, Cash Flow & Financials 18:10 - Deal Structure: LOI, Due Diligence & Deposits 22:38 - Weston's First Acquisition & 100-Day Chaos 26:03 - The Roll-Up Strategy: 4 Deals in 9 Months 31:20 - Creative Deal Structures for Distressed Shops 34:22 - Building for Scale: People, Equipment & Systems 40:00 - Work-Life Balance & 2026 Focus 42:02 - Daily Operations: Finance, Production & Acquisitions 49:11 - Advice for Shop Owners Considering a Sale Email: [email protected] Bruce Ackerman   / webmasterbruce     / webmasterbruce   Steven Farag   / stevenfarag     / steven.ink_   Interested in sponsoring this podcast? Contact us here: https://www.inktavo.com/inktavo-adver... TRY PRINTAVO TODAY! : https://bit.ly/4729qBa Check out a live demo: https://www.inktavo.com/tools-resourc... Printavo for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/printav... Printavo for Android: https://play.google.com/store/search?... Follow us on Instagram for all of the latest updates:   / printavo   Check out the Printavo Blog! : https://www.printavo.com/blog/ #screenprinting #printlife #printhustlers #printavo #screenprintlife #dtg #embroidery #merch #ecommerce #printshop #screenprint Subscribe to the Printavo channel for more amazing interviews, shop tours, and tips for your screen printing business.