The MakeATeeOnline merger with Dynasty Custom Apparel isn’t just another business headline—it’s a clear signal of where the print and promo industry is heading. For anyone running a print shop, especially DecoNetwork users, this merger shows what’s possible when you combine smart tech, deep customer relationships, and a merch-first mindset.
Here’s the deal: Meryl Katlin, founder of MakeATeeOnline, didn’t just scale her business—she built something bigger by focusing on merch stores, embracing B2B printing, and using tools like DecoNetwork to automate and grow. Now, with the Dynasty merger in motion, her next move is all about going deeper with customers and expanding merch capabilities.
This isn’t just a story about shirts and promo items. It’s about knowing your tools, knowing your audience, and playing the long game in the merch business. Whether you’re already using DecoNetwork or just looking for a smarter way to run your shop, there’s a lot to learn from how Meryl made it happen.
Two Brands One Mission: Growth Through Merch Stores
The MakeATeeOnline merger with Dynasty Custom Apparel is rooted in one powerful strategy: grow by creating more merch stores. This isn’t just about printing t-shirts and calling it a day. It’s about building branded merchandise programs that work for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and teams. That’s where the real growth is happening right now.
For Meryl Katlin, merch stores weren’t an afterthought—they were the playbook. By helping clients launch custom online stores filled with their own branded gear, she turned one-off orders into long-term relationships. The more stores she launched, the more value she created. Dynasty Custom Apparel saw the same potential and leaned in. The merger aligned two teams with one clear mission: serve clients with full-service apparel and promo solutions powered by online ordering.
This kind of print shop merger is what happens when you recognize that customers want convenience, speed, and control. They don’t just want a quote and a print run. They want a storefront they can share with their staff, fans, or supporters. And with the right system in place to build and manage those stores, that growth becomes scalable.
If your shop isn’t thinking in terms of merch stores yet, this is your wake-up call. It’s not just a trend. It’s the future of branded merchandise.
B2B Is Still King: How The Merger Doubles Down On It
The MakeATeeOnline merger with Dynasty Custom Apparel isn’t just about more equipment or a bigger production floor. It’s about locking in on what actually drives revenue in this industry: B2B printing. Meryl Katlin made it clear in the original case study—her biggest wins come from business clients who need consistent branding, reliable turnaround, and smart merch strategies.
This is the part too many small print shops overlook. While everyone’s chasing the next one-off order or viral t-shirt drop, the real money is in custom merch for businesses that order again and again. Think corporate apparel, event giveaways, staff uniforms, and promo kits. These clients don’t just want product. They want a partner who can handle design, production, and fulfillment like clockwork.
That’s why this print shop growth move makes so much sense. Dynasty brings high-volume apparel production. MakeATeeOnline brings merch store know-how and deep B2B relationships. Together, they’re set to dominate the kind of client work that fills your calendar all year, not just during holiday rushes.
If you’re running a shop and haven’t tapped into B2B yet, ask yourself what’s holding you back. With the right workflows and the ability to offer branded merchandise stores online, this space isn’t just profitable—it’s scalable. The MakeATeeOnline merger proves it.
Build Better Systems Before You Try To Scale Up
The MakeATeeOnline merger is more than just a business move. It’s a spotlight on how important your print shop software really is. Meryl Katlin didn’t just scale her business by printing more stuff. She did it by building systems that let her launch merch stores, manage artwork, and keep everything running smoothly without drowning in admin work.
Let’s be real. Most print shops hit a ceiling because they’re still juggling spreadsheets, email chains, and mockups created on the fly. That’s not a growth strategy. That’s burnout waiting to happen. If you want to grow like MakeATeeOnline did, your tech stack has to handle the heavy lifting. We’re talking about tools that connect your storefronts, automate your quotes, and manage production like a well-oiled machine.
Katlin tried and tested a bunch of solutions before landing on the software that fit her business. That foundation is what made scaling easier and why the merger with Dynasty Custom Apparel actually made sense. You can’t merge chaos. You can only merge clean systems and scalable processes.
If you’re a DecoNetwork user or exploring platforms for your shop, the takeaway here is loud and clear. Software isn’t optional anymore. It’s the backbone of modern print shop automation. Without it, launching even a single merch store platform can feel overwhelming. With it, you can build an empire one storefront at a time.
Print And Promo Are Converging. This Merger Proves It.
The MakeATeeOnline merger isn’t just a business deal. It’s proof that the line between the print and promo business is officially gone. Meryl Katlin didn’t choose one side or the other. She built a company that does both, and does it well. From DTG printing to promo products like water bottles and wristbands, her strategy has always been about meeting customer needs across the board.
That’s the new model. Customers don’t care if it’s soft goods or hard goods. They want one trusted source for all their branded merchandise. And if you can deliver both with consistency and speed, you become way more valuable than the shop down the street that only does tees.
What makes this merger even more exciting is how it positions the combined company for the future. Dynasty Custom Apparel brings muscle in sportswear and sublimation. MakeATeeOnline brings experience in online storefronts, design, and promo. Together, they’re creating a full-service operation built to handle whatever clients throw at them.
If you’re running a print shop and haven’t dipped your toes into promo yet, this is your sign. Or if you’re already selling promo but avoiding custom printing technology like DTF or UV because it feels overwhelming, now’s the time to rethink that. The businesses that thrive over the next five years will be the ones that understand how to blend it all together.
And yes, having a system that can support both sides of your business is key. You don’t need to do it all tomorrow. But if you want to stay competitive, start exploring how to offer more than just prints. Start offering solutions.
Lessons From The MakeATeeOnline Merger
The MakeATeeOnline merger didn’t happen by luck. It was the result of years of smart moves, consistent branding, and a relentless focus on solving customer problems. For print shop owners paying attention, this is your blueprint. You don’t need a massive staff or a million-dollar facility to win. You need systems, vision, and a repeatable merch store strategy.
Meryl Katlin built merch stores that served real client needs. She automated the repetitive stuff so she could focus on growth. She built strong B2B relationships. All of that made her business attractive to a company like Dynasty Custom Apparel. That’s the power of working smart and staying consistent.
You don’t need to aim for a merger, but you should absolutely aim for sustainability and scalability. Want to grow your print shop? Start with infrastructure. Automate what you can. Launch stores for your best clients. Think like a partner, not just a printer. That’s how you become the shop that businesses rely on.
And if you’re already using DecoNetwork, this is your sign to double down on the features that let you scale without burning out. Merch stores. Automated workflows. B2B client portals. It’s all sitting there waiting to be put to work.
Success isn’t about going viral. It’s about getting predictable. Build the foundation now so you can grow into whatever’s next—whether that’s more stores, more clients, or yes, even a merger of your own someday.
Merch Growth Starts With Vision And The Right Tools
The MakeATeeOnline merger is more than just a success story. It’s a roadmap for any print shop owner looking to level up. Meryl Katlin didn’t stumble into this opportunity. She built it with intention by combining tech, creativity, and a deep understanding of what customers actually want: smart, fast, full-service solutions for branded merchandise.
Whether you’re running DTG, DTF, or screen printing, the message is clear. Merch growth comes from systems, storefronts, and strategy. This is the kind of move that happens when a business is ready to scale, and the right foundation is already in place. And yeah, software like DecoNetwork can play a big part in that. It’s what gave Katlin the tools to launch merch stores, manage orders, and scale her print and promo game without burning out.
If you’re serious about print shop success, stop thinking like a printer and start thinking like a merch brand. Learn from what MakeATeeOnline built, take a hard look at your systems, and get ready to grow. Because the future isn’t just printing shirts. It’s building platforms, creating value, and turning great service into big opportunity.
