Toronto screen printing and design collective: The Baitshop

We sat down with members of the Toronto screen printing and design collective, The Baitshop. They’ll be screen printing custom t-shirts live on site at our latest Yonge + St. Clair Store pop-up shop starting on September 21.

What is The Baitshop?

The Baitshop is a lifestyle brand and screen printing company with tentacles in design and experiential events.

How did it all start?

We began screen printing for brands in a former worm farm warehouse space in Parkdale in 2007. This space inspired our name “The Baitshop.” Slowly and organically, we became known for not only our screen printing but also our events for the skateboarding community. As demand continued to grow around the production business, we outgrew our space in Parkdale and relocated to the Stockyards in west Toronto.

What makes your approach unique?

We are a collective of like minded people who come together to offer something traditional and tactile in the digital age, but with a modern perspective. Our live-printing experience has now evolved to encompass live music, art, and screen printing. We have been live-printing since 2007, and have become quite comfortable with the process. Most people have never seen how a t-shirt is printed, so they’re quite captivated. We’ve become completely interactive and able to involve the customers in the process by allowing them to print their own garment or poster. We’ve also introduced music to our print process, where we print alongside a band or DJ to make some pretty original artworks.

What interested you about the Yonge + St. Clair Store idea?

Live Bait is a fun activation. It’s great to get out there and share the experience with any community. Working with new communities and people is really what we’re about. The opportunity to work with Lucas, Blackjet, and the Yonge + St. Clair Store is something we couldn’t pass up!

Of the designs that Lucas created for this project, do you have a favourite?

I’d have to say the “Racoon on the Bike.” Simple and comical. The “Commuter Squad” lock-up design is great too. Would be between those two.

The Yonge + St. Clair Store is open 11am to 8pm Thursdays and Fridays and 12 noon to 6pm Saturdays, from September 21 to 30 at 1470 Yonge St.

Learn more about The Baitshop here:
www.thebaitshop.ca