2025 Women In Screen Printing Awards: Denise Mangini

DENISE MANGINI IS THE founder of Primal Tee Shop and Fast Girlz Apparel, two ventures she built from her parents’ basement into respected brands. A self-taught entrepreneur, she is known for creative, high-quality work that serves schools, businesses, and racing fans alike. Through a foundation she created and mentorship, Mangini champions women in screen printing and motorsports, redefining success with passion, resilience, and innovation.

Q: As a self-taught entrepreneur, what were the biggest challenges you faced and what advice would you give others starting out?

The biggest challenge was the entire process — from printing and registering films to off-contact, flashing, and curing. I didn’t know what was right or wrong because I had nothing to compare it to. I relied on reaching out to others with experience and watching countless YouTube videos, though you don’t always know if the information is correct.

My advice is: don’t feel like you must do it all. Outsource certain things, like separations or film printing, if needed. Focus on what you do best.

Q: You’ve built Primal Tee Shop and the Fast Girlz brand into respected names by blending creativity, community, and business savvy. What strategies have been most effective in growing your shop?

In-person networking has been huge. I go to shows, even when the cost feels intimidating, because getting in front of people is invaluable. Showing potential clients your prints, explaining what you can do, and sometimes giving a deal just to get your foot in the door has helped us grow both brands.

Q: Can you share more about the Fast Girlz line?

Fast Girlz is a clothing line I created two years ago geared toward women in dirt-track racing — sprint cars, late models, modifieds, karts, micro sprints, anything that races on dirt. I design creative, female-focused apparel, and for every item purchased we donate $1 to the Fast Girlz Foundation. Each year, we choose one female driver to support by making sure her safety equipment — helmet, suit, seat — is up to date.

Q: You’ve created a space for women in motorsports and in business. What advice do you have for the next generation of women in screen printing and beyond?

Being a female in this industry can be hard. Some men assume we aren’t capable. My husband and I started the business together, but I’m the printer — yet people often address him first. You can’t let that discourage you. Sometimes it’s just about quietly doing the work, producing excellent results, and letting your product speak for you.

It doesn’t always require putting yourself out there — eventually, your work gets noticed. Patience and persistence matter.

Q: What makes you a leader in the screen-printing industry, and how do you hope your example helps other women see what’s possible?

Creativity and quality. What I envision and bring to life is different from the shop down the street. I take pride in the details and never prioritize quantity over quality. That commitment has made us stand out.

Q: What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment, and what is something you hope to achieve in the future?

Building this shop from nothing. We started in a basement, and now we have our own building, we’re expanding, and we’ve built a strong reputation for quality. Launching Fast Girlz has been another highlight, specifically creating the Fast Girlz Foundation to support female drivers.

Looking ahead, my goal is to grow the Fast Girlz brand into something more widely recognized. I want more people to know our mission and see how we’re helping women in racing. That’s the next step.

Q: Tell us about your shop setup.

We started in my parents’ basement with a manual press and a small dryer, and we stayed there for two years. Then we bought equipment from a shop going out of business in New Jersey, but we didn’t have space for it. Friends stored it while my father converted my grandfather’s old garage into our current shop.

Today we’re in about 1,500 square feet, but we’re adding another 1,200. We run one automatic press with seven colors and a gas dryer. The plan with the expansion is to add a second, larger press so we can print more colors and improve workflow.

We also offer embroidery with two single-head Barudan machines. Once the new space is ready, I hope to add a four- or six-head. Right now, space is our biggest limitation.

Q: How big is the dirt motorsports market you are targeting with your Fast Girlz preprint line?

Racing is huge nationwide, but since we’re in upstate New York, it’s challenging to balance the print shop with the apparel line. We have an apparel trailer and travel to about 10 events a year, including five major ones. We also sell online, though it’s not as visible as I’d like yet.

Q: What inspired you to create the line?

Primal Tee Shop is now in its eighth year, and I’ve printed countless shirts for drivers. But when I’d go to the track, I didn’t always want to wear a specific driver’s shirt. I wanted something different — something that represented women in racing. I also wanted to use nicer apparel for women, like tri-blends. That’s how Fast Girlz was born: apparel for fans like me who wanted quality, creative, female-centered designs.

Q: Any advice for others who might want to start a preprint clothing line?

Don’t jump in without a plan. Think carefully about your name. Check the trademark system. Research competitors so you’re not creating something too similar. Ideally, plan a year or two in advance before launching. And be prepared — you’ll waste some money, and you’ll end up holding onto a lot of stock at first.

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