Customer Introduction

My name is Josh Evans, and I own a company called Lonear Adhesive. We specialize in thermal-activated adhesive and premium leatherette for hat patch materials. Over time, we’ve gradually evolved into more of a one-stop shop, offering laser-engraveable blanks like keychains, “can dusters” (since “koozie” is trademarked), and a variety of other creative items. Along the way, we discovered that our adhesive works surprisingly well with acrylic too. You can actually turn an acrylic patch into a hat patch using our adhesive, just heat it up and it activates. It’s been incredible to see how far we’ve come from where we started.

What inspired you to start LoneStar Adhesive?

To understand how LoneStar came to life, you have to go back to where it all started: with a love for hats and a maker’s mindset.

I've always loved hats. But I kept running into the same issue: either I loved the patch but didn’t like the hat, or I liked the hat but not the patch. Eventually, I thought, “Why not just make my own?” I’ve always been a hands-on, do-it-yourself kind of person. I dabbled in woodworking, tried powder coating for a while, and leaned heavily on YouTube to teach myself new skills. I jokingly say I’m “YouTube certified.”

I began my laser journey with a Glowforge, but soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for what I wanted to achieve. That’s when I upgraded to a Thunder Laser Nova 24, and six years later, it’s still built like a tank.

At first, I was cutting out hat patches and applying them by hand with glue. But anyone who’s ever done that knows the struggle. It’s either too much adhesive or too little, and both make a mess. It was time-consuming and frustrating. I was almost ready to quit.

That’s when I discovered a thermal adhesive that changed everything. It gave us a cleaner, faster way to apply patches and helped us stand out from the competition. I realized others in the laser community were having the same challenges I’d faced, and I had a solution.

That’s how LoneStar Adhesive came to life. We officially launched on July 9th, 2023, and we’ve been growing ever since. Today, our Facebook group has over 30,000 members, a strong, supportive community that feels more like family. Their feedback, even the critical kind, helps us improve, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve.

Thanks to that input, and our love for solving problems, we’ve been able to create products that not only work but help others succeed, too. That’s what keeps us going.

What’s been your favorite part of building the LoneStar brand so far?

Honestly, my favorite part of building LoneStar has been the community.

There’s nothing better than hearing someone say, “Hey, you’ve helped take my business to the next level.” That never gets old. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that something I created is helping people put money in their pockets, support their families, and grow their dreams. Being a part of that, of something bigger than myself, is what keeps me going.

We started the Facebook group pretty early on, and from the beginning, it wasn’t just about products. It was about building a culture. Respect is non-negotiable. If someone can’t treat others with respect, they’re out. Simple as that. Social media can be a mess these days. People say things online they’d never say face to face, and honestly, that’s not the kind of environment I want to create. We built a space where makers can help each other, share ideas, and grow without all the drama.

What really blows my mind is seeing how open things are now. When I started, nobody shared anything. Everything was hush-hush. You had to figure it out all on your own. Now? People from the same town are teaming up, collaborating, and going to trade shows together. It’s a complete shift, and a beautiful one.

I always tell people, I’ll help you as much as I can. I'll point you in the right direction, share what I know. But at some point, you’ve gotta take ownership. If I’m walking you through every step, we’re basically business partners now, right? Might need a cut of those profits! [laughs]

But seriously, seeing this community come together, support each other, and thrive, that’s been the most rewarding part of this entire journey.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out with lasers and adhesives?

For those who are brand new to lasers and just joining our community, the first thing I always recommend is using the search feature in the Facebook group. Chances are, just about any question you have has already been asked and answered multiple times. Just type in a few keywords and you’ll likely find detailed discussions. That said, even if your question has been asked before, our group is incredibly welcoming and supportive. Most people are happy to answer again and help you out.

Beyond the group, YouTube is an incredible tool. Watch as many videos as you can, follow other makers, and just soak up as much information as possible. That’s what I do anytime I buy a new piece of equipment, whether it’s for work or something simple like a power washer or lawnmower at home. I watch videos, read reviews, and learn the basics before it even arrives. That way, when I finally get my hands on it, I already have a foundation of understanding and feel confident jumping in.

Confidence is key. Laser machines aren’t scary, but they can be intimidating at first. I’ve actually heard from people who let their laser sit unopened for six months because they didn’t know where to start. Meanwhile, I’m the opposite, I’m calling the freight driver asking, “Where’s my machine?” because I want to unbox it the second it hits my driveway.

It’s not just about being comfortable with your machine. You need to be familiar with your materials too. That’s why we worked with Chris Lassio from Thunder Laser to create a custom LightBurn material library. You can upload it directly into LightBurn to get solid baseline settings. This helps avoid wasting time and materials running countless tests and gives you a head start on dialing in your process.

Ultimately, the only way to really learn is to just get in there and do it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. In fact, I almost always break a new machine within the first couple of hours. But the upside? I learn exactly how it works. Taking it apart, fixing it, understanding it, it’s all part of becoming confident and capable. That kind of hands-on experience is invaluable.

And if you ever need help, we’re here for you. But when posting a question in the group, be detailed. If you say, “My patch isn’t sticking,” make sure to include your heat press settings, the type of material you’re using, what you cleaned it with, and anything else relevant. We're a support group, not detectives! The more information you give, the faster and better we can help you.

So, soak up the knowledge, lean into the learning curve, and don’t wait to get started. You’ve got a whole community ready to back you up.

What features of Thunder Laser do you appreciate most?

What I appreciate most about Thunder Laser is the reliability. I know my machine won’t suddenly fail on me, and in the rare event something does go wrong, I know I have support. As both a supplier and a customer, I hold others to the same standards we set for ourselves: be responsive, be dependable, and have your customer’s back.

And Thunder Laser has done just that. Problems never happen at convenient times. It’s always late on a Friday night before a big Saturday delivery. But Thunder has built a strong community, especially through their Facebook group. Their team is willing to go above and beyond, even answering emails at 8 p.m. That kind of support makes all the difference when you're in a crunch.

Since purchasing the Nova 24, I've seen how Thunder isn't just selling machines, they're building partnerships. That’s why we’ve teamed up. We sell Thunder Laser machines on our website, and they feature our products on theirs. It’s a collaboration built on shared values: quality, reliability, and dedication to customer success.

If there's one Thunder machine you'd recommend for engraving LoneStar products, which would it be?

If there’s one machine I always recommend for engraving our products, it’s the Thunder Bolt series. It’s an all-in-one package. The RF tube delivers incredible detail and reliability, while the machine’s speed is a major time-saver. For what you're paying, it’s honestly one of the best deals out there. I’ve even had people ask, “Why is it so affordable?” But that’s just the value Thunder delivers. You're getting high-end performance without the high-end price tag.

What really sets the Bolt apart is how easy it is to use. You can unbox it, place it on your desk, and be up and running in under an hour. The built-in air assist and exhaust system make setup simple. Just connect the hose, set it outside, and you’re cutting in no time.

The machine runs at 1,000mm per second all day long without a hiccup, and it’s backed by customer support that’s second to none. For anyone looking to start or scale their engraving business, the Bolt is hands-down the one I recommend.

What’s your advice for someone starting a laser business?

If you’re thinking about starting a business, my biggest piece of advice is simple: make samples and show people what you can do. Don’t wait for customers to come to you. Get out there, connect with local businesses, build relationships, and be proactive. Every product you create is a walking billboard. When someone wears your hat, they’re promoting your brand everywhere they go.

A lot of people worry they won’t make money, but if you’re not making money, you’re likely not trying hard enough. There is so much opportunity out there. You just have to hustle. Think about it: go to any ball game or event, and you’ll see 80–90% of the men wearing hats. And people don’t just own one. Hats wear out, they get sweaty or dirty, and eventually, they need a new one. If you’re not there to offer them that new favorite hat, someone else will be.

Starting out can feel discouraging. I remember when I launched my first hat company, Brimlines. I’d post on Instagram, and it felt like only my mom and sister were liking my stuff. But behind the scenes, word-of-mouth was growing, and that’s the most powerful kind of advertising. A happy customer will spread your name faster and more genuinely than any ad ever could.

At the end of the day, hard work matters, but so does quality. You want to build your business on reliable, trustworthy products. That’s why we’ve partnered with Thunder Laser, because we trust their machines, just like we expect people to trust our adhesives and materials. If you're investing your hard-earned money, don’t cut corners. Choose products that stand the test of time and are backed by real support. You're not just buying equipment or supplies. You’re buying into a solution.

What’s next for LoneStar Adhesive?

We just bought a sticker machine! If you’ve been part of our group, or are thinking about joining, you probably know how much people love our stickers. No joke, over the past year and ten months, we’ve spent a ridiculous amount on custom stickers. So, I finally said, “Why don’t we just do this ourselves?” Now that we have the machine, once we get it fully dialed in, we’ll be offering custom sticker printing services through our website.

Our customers seriously expect a sticker in every box. If one’s missing, they’ll let us know! But that’s part of what makes this so fun. The banter, the connections, the inspiration we get from our community. Honestly, I don’t even like calling them "customers" anymore. Everyone in our group feels like family.

A lot of our best ideas actually come from this community. For example, I never planned to work with acrylic, but one of our members reached out and told me, “Hey, your adhesive works really well with it.” That led to a great collaboration with Romark (formerly JP Plus) where we now offer exclusive colorways, including a really popular red, white, and blue combo, and some custom mirrored finishes you’ve probably never seen before.

We’re also experimenting with some awesome dual-layered laserable silicone patches. These are designed to match Richardson 112s and our waterproof LSA hats. They’re super easy to work with: laserable, safe, and pre-applied with adhesive on the back. Just peel, engrave, and go.

At the end of the day, I’m always looking for ways to keep things in-house, streamline the process, and help other makers make money. If we can offer products or tools that help someone grow their business, that’s a win. I’m just excited to keep building, keep innovating, and keep serving a community that’s given us so much already.