Ryan Burkhardt
Ryan Burkhardt is the co-founder and co-owner of Kong Screen Printing, an Austin-based custom apparel company he started with Bruce Braden in 2011. With an MFA in fine arts, he built the business around a concierge-level customer service model serving brands like Coca-Cola and Topo Chico.
Ryan Burkhardt's Bio
Kong Screen Printing was founded in 2011 by Ryan Burkhardt and Bruce Braden as a one-color screen printing press operating out of Austin, Texas. Over more than a decade, the studio evolved into a full-service creative production house serving everyone from first-time small-business owners to national consumer brands.
The company is known for an unusually hands-on process. Rather than simply executing artwork, the Kong team walks clients through layout, color separation, garment selection, and finishing options before a single print hits the press. That consultative model has produced long-running relationships with accounts in food and beverage, retail, hospitality, and technology, including clients like Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Topo Chico.
Today Kong Screen Printing operates out of its Austin facility with a dedicated prepress, screen-making, and fulfillment team. The studio handles custom t-shirts, polos, hoodies, hats, and a wide range of promotional merchandise, while maintaining the same emphasis on responsive communication and on-time delivery that defined its earliest years.
Career Timeline
2011 — Co-founded Kong Screen Printing
Started Kong Screen Printing with Bruce Braden in Austin, Texas, focusing on concierge-level customer service for custom apparel.
2024 — Began marketing scale-up
Partnered with Blackhawk Media to launch branding, SEO, SEM, and advertising efforts for the first time.
2025 — Targeting $5M revenue growth
Aiming to scale from $3 million to $5 million in revenue over 18-24 months without losing the company's hands-on service culture.
