About Olathe T-Shirt & Trophy · Since 1981
A local story.
A new generation.
What began with Hank Kramer and Gary Roles in 1981 is entering its next chapter. As Olathe T-Shirt & Trophy transitions toward a second generation of ownership with Scott Kramer and Joe Roles, the commitment remains the same: quality work, practical advice, and relationships that last.
For more than four decades, we’ve helped local teams, schools, businesses, and organizations put their names on something they’re proud to wear, display, or give.
The first generation
Hank & Gary: a friendship that became a business
Hank Kramer and Gary Roles met in junior high in De Soto, Kansas. Sports, especially softball and golf, were a big part of their lives. They stayed in touch while Hank attended Washburn University and Gary attended Kansas State University.
Through their connections with coaches, teams, and players, they saw a need for quality trophies and sports uniforms. In 1981, they opened Olathe T-Shirt in a rented, 1,200-square-foot space in downtown Olathe.
Their approach was straightforward: offer good products at reasonable prices and take care of the people ordering them. Those relationships became the foundation of the business we know today.
Joe Roles
Production, sales & equipment
Joe graduated from Olathe East High School and went straight to work at Olathe T-Shirt. He focused on mastering screen-printing production, building hands-on knowledge of the work that happens on the shop floor.
Joe also works in sales and plays an integral role in our relationships with customers and vendors. His equipment expertise and hands-on maintenance help keep the shop running reliably and our production standards high.
Scott Kramer
Sales, artwork & technology
Scott graduated from De Soto High School, attended Johnson County Community College, and earned a business degree from Ottawa University in Kansas.
His work centers on the pre-production side of the business: sales, artwork, and the technical know-how that helps a project take shape before it reaches the press. He brings together the customer’s ideas, the design details, and the tools needed to prepare an order for production.
Together, Scott and Joe bring experience from both sides of an order, from the first conversation and artwork preparation to production and the finished product. That shared understanding is the foundation for the next generation of Olathe T-Shirt.
Growing with our customers
From a small shop to a full-service local team
Hank and Gary initially expected trophies to be the heart of the business. Demand for event and team T-shirts quickly changed that, and the shop grew along with the people it served.
What started with two people has grown into a team of 15+ local employees. Their skills, experience, and care are part of every order, and a big part of what has kept Olathe T-Shirt moving forward.
Hank and Gary opened the business in its original downtown Olathe location.
Moved into a 6,000-square-foot space in Rosehill Business Park, with more room for products and production.
Added in-house embroidery, expanding the ways we could personalize apparel.
Moved to our current location, making room for the next stage of the business.
Added signs and banners alongside screen printing, embroidery, trophies, awards, and promotional products.
Started selling online with an online design tool and web stores, giving customers new ways to design and order.
A fire damaged the shop. Production continued in temporary locations while we rebuilt.
Returned to our rebuilt shop in January, with upgraded equipment and room to keep moving forward.
Rebuilding together
The building changed. The work continued.
On a stormy Sunday night in May 2015, an electrical short sparked a fire that severely damaged the shop and compromised its steel frame.
Within a week, two employees had offered their homes as temporary printing and engraving locations. Along with three warehouse spaces, those temporary work areas helped us keep orders moving while the building was rebuilt.
Seven and a half months later, in January 2016, we returned to a new building with a familiar layout and upgraded printing equipment. That chapter is an important part of our story because it shows how much this business depends on the people behind it.
Olathe T-Shirt today
Local experience, from the idea to the finished order
Today, we help customers with screen printing, embroidery, trophies and awards, signs and banners, and custom artwork. From team shirts and company polos to plaques, bags, and event gear, we’ll help you choose products and decoration options that fit your project.
Our in-house artwork support helps turn a rough idea into something ready for production. Online team and fundraiser stores also give schools and organizations a way to collect individual orders through one organized sale.
As Scott and Joe prepare for future ownership, we’ll keep developing the technology and processes that make ordering easier, while continuing the personal service Hank and Gary built the business around.
Thank you to the customers, employees, and community who have been part of our story since 1981. We look forward to the work we’ll make together next.
Let’s make something for your team.
Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll help with the next step.