Meet Adrian Vasquez & Shadow Ochoa – Co-Owners Seven Sins Printing

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrian Vasquez & Shadow Ochoa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrian – Shadow, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Believe it or not, Seven Sins Printing wasn’t something we meticulously planned from the start—it developed organically, and then it became a thing out of necessity for ourselves. To either go back out and hunt for day to day jobs or grind it out and make this work.

My partner, Shadow, and I have always been passionate supporters of live music, regularly attending shows in the DFW music scene during our short time in it. Over time tho, we started noticing a recurring issue at merch booths: small impression size, low-quality prints, inconsistent color replication, and frequent complaints from bands and fans alike about the difficulty of getting merch quickly and reliably.

One night after a show, we found ourselves in our living room discussing merch. The more we talked, the more we realized there was a real need for better-quality merch and easier access for these bands to get merch. After what felt like hours of brainstorming, we had a moment where we just looked at each other and kind of said, we think we can do this.

A month later, we took the first step and ordered our very first piece of equipment—a 1.25″ pin press. In the mist of the pandemic lockdowns I (Adrian) lost my job and was suddenly faced with the challenge of staying afloat in several aspects of my life. In that moment, my partner and I made the decision to go all in and turn this into something real. What started as a simple idea quickly became our full-time focus, and from there, we poured everything into learning, growing, and refining what would eventually become Seven Sins Printing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets us apart?
Seven Sins Printing has always been more than just a business to us — it’s a true passion project. From the very beginning, our philosophy has been simple: music comes first.

Like many print shops, we started out doing whatever came our way — schools, small businesses, corporate orders. The money was fine, but something was missing. It didn’t feel meaningful. Pretty early on, we realized that the jobs that lit us up were always music-related. So, we made a decision that really set us apart — we stopped taking on anything that didn’t have to do with music. It was a bold move, but one we’ve never regretted.

Since then, we’ve poured everything into being a print shop exclusively for bands, artists, and anything that pushes music culture forward. That’s how our taglines were born — “Merch for the Music Culture” and “A Print Shop ONLY for Bands and Artists, or Anything Pushing Music Culture.” Whether you’re from the hardcore scene, death metal, indie, hip hop — it doesn’t matter. If it’s about the music, we’re in.

How did we get here professionally?
It’s been a journey full of learning, late nights, and a lot of heart.

My partner, Shadow, is the strong, honest, no-BS type. She keeps everything grounded and holds the line when things get hectic. I’m more the “people person,” the one who thrives on connection and community. That side of me comes from my mom and grandma — two amazing women who taught me how to be kind, patient, and driven.

Before this business, I spent about 10 years in the grocery industry. I actually loved it — not for the work itself, but for the interactions. I loved helping people, having real conversations, walking them through the store and making their day just a little better. That customer service mindset stuck with me, and it’s something I bring into our business every single day.

The challenges? They were real.
I have ADHD, which means focus can be a struggle — but it also taught me how to make things simple and efficient. Overcomplicating things just doesn’t work for me, so I designed our entire system to be streamlined and stress-free: easy pricing, clear specials, and a straightforward online quote form.

We also lean hard into automation and tech to stay productive. I use AI to draft emails, hotkeys for repetitive tasks, and Photoshop actions to speed up our workflow. We’re just a two-person team, but last year we printed 140,000 shirts and embroidered 10,000 units — output you’d normally see from a 4-5 person shop. That’s the power of working smart and building systems that work for you.

My background in tech helped too.
I’ve always been into computers — building them, customizing them, pushing them to their limits. In high school, I got into Photoshop in a…let’s say “unusual” way — forging doctors’ notes (lol). But hey, it sparked a skill I still use to this day, so shoutout to high school me for that one.

As for my “why” — it goes deeper.
Growing up, we didn’t have much, but we always had enough. My family made sure we had good memories, even if things were tight. We called ourselves “fortunate poor,” and that stuck with me. Seeing my parents and grandparents work so hard made me want more — not just money, but freedom, purpose, and pride in what I do.

I never wanted to follow the same path they were pushed into. I wanted to carve out something different — something meaningful. That’s exactly what we’re doing with Seven Sins. This isn’t just screen printing, embroidery, or merch— it’s our way of giving back to the music communities that shaped us, and supports us, its our way of further building and strengthening a community within this community.

One of my favorite lyrics says it best:
“There’s no right and no wrong way.” — The Offspring, The Meaning of Life.
That’s how I see it. We’re just doing things our way — with heart, intention, and a whole lot of love for music and the people who make it, and support it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming to town for a week, I’d make sure they had the best time ever—hands down. First stop? I’m grabbing my phone and checking the lineup at Haltom Theatre. This place is home. It’s got heart, history, and a killer sound system. I actually met my partner, Shadow, there for the first time in person at a benefit show called Pits for Paws. That night holds a special place in our story—it was my second local show ever, and their first metal show, if I remember right. We haven’t stopped going back since.

We’d definitely book a cozy Airbnb, too. That’s kinda our thing lately. There’s something about finding a little hidden gem in a cool neighborhood—it makes the whole trip feel like a mini adventure. Plus, some of these Airbnbs surprise you with how unique they are, from design to location.

Now let’s talk FOOD—because I’m building this trip around FOOD.

Sicilian Butcher is a must. It’s authentic Italian, a full scratch kitchen, and they literally have a Ferris Wheel of Meatballs! That alone makes it worth the trip.

Next up is Jambo’s Original BBQ Shack (the real one off 1187 and Rendon—not the copycat in Arlington). Their baked potato is legendary. It’s so loaded, you’ll absolutely need a nap afterward.

Then we’re hitting Shaneboy’s Craft Hawaiian Grindz. They started as a food truck and turned their vision into a full-blown restaurant covered head to toe in good vibes and island flair. Their food is top-tier Hawaiian comfort, and I have so much respect for how far they’ve come.

Now for a family classic—China Bowl Express on Jupiter Road in Dallas. My family has been eating there for nearly 30 years. It’s fast, flavorful Chinese food with a massive dining area and a drive-thru line that never slows down. The owner even came to my grandmother’s funeral to pay her respects, and that meant the world to us. So yeah, it’s more than just good food—it’s personal.

For drinks, there are a few places I always recommend:

Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch – They make strong margaritas and it’s just a solid spot all around.

Division Brewing – Laid back, good beer, and right next to Growl Records, which is a cool venue with a great vibe.

4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge – This one’s a newer favorite. It’s got a chill, tucked-away feel that makes you forget how loud the area around it is. Great rum cocktails, too.

We’d probably hit Epic Waters, because honestly, indoor pools are underrated. No sunburn, no weather worries. I’d also take them to a piano bar one night, spend some time walking through Deep Ellum, check out the shops and murals in the Bishop Arts District, and at some point, we’re definitely getting a slice of Emporium Pies apple pie, the literal best pie EVER.

There are a ton of other spots I could name, but if we did just these, I’d feel like I gave them a real look at what makes this area special to me, and why I am the weight that I am lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shadow: I want to give a huge thank you to the music scene—the lifeblood of what we do. Not just local, but in it’s entirety. The continuous flow of musicians and artists who not only give us a chance but also speak highly of our work, even when we’re not around, means everything to us. Your support, trust, and word-of-mouth have helped us grow in ways we never imagined, and for that, we’re endlessly grateful. The record labels, fans of bands, artists, venues, promoters, photographers, & friends, Thank You!

Adrian: I want to recognize and deeply thank the first clients who ever took a chance on us. More specifically, Chemical Fingerprint, Texas Metal Connection, Brett Wells (formerly of Texas Murder Crew), and Colby Rodgers (Coprolalia and several other DFW bands). These weren’t just orders to us—they were moments of validation, the spark that made me believe I can actually do this.

At the time, we were running everything out of a house we had slightly renovated into a little shop. Those early orders quite literally kept the lights on. They allowed us to invest in our first real manual press, a game-changing moment that set us on the path we’re on today. Without those first few people willing to take a risk on us, I truly don’t think we’d even be having this conversation right now. I don’t think Seven Sins Printing would exist.

So to those four, to every single person who has supported us since, and to everyone in the future who gives us a chance—we see you, we appreciate you, and we will always work hard to prove that trust was worth it. Thank you.

Website: https://sevensinsprinting.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevensinsprinting.embroidery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7SinsPrinting