CustomInk

About CustomInk

Custom Ink operates as an online retailer specializing in custom apparel and promotional products. The company was founded in March 2000 by Marc Katz, Dave Christensen, and Mike Driscoll, who were former college classmates. Katz, after a stint on Wall Street that he found unfulfilling, sought a more meaningful entrepreneurial venture. The idea for Custom Ink emerged when Driscoll was developing an early version of a website allowing users to upload graphics onto t-shirts. Katz, seeing the potential, teamed up with Christensen, a computer expert, to launch the business. The initial funding of about $600,000 came from a mix of family, friends, and angel investors.

The company's business model is centered around providing a web-based platform for designing and ordering custom products. Clients range from companies and teams to clubs, charities, and family reunions. Revenue is generated directly from the sale of these customized goods. The platform serves a diverse market, including small businesses, corporations, and recreational sports teams. Initially focused on college groups, the company has since expanded its reach. A key aspect of its business is facilitating group orders and fundraising campaigns, allowing organizers to sell custom t-shirts to raise money and awareness for various causes.

Custom Ink's primary offering is a user-friendly online design tool that enables customers to create their own apparel and accessories. Users can upload their own logos or utilize a library of fonts and artwork. The product catalog is extensive, featuring t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bags, tech accessories, and promotional items like golf balls and umbrellas. The service portfolio includes screen printing, digital printing, and embroidery. In recent years, Custom Ink has expanded its enterprise solutions through strategic acquisitions. It acquired Swag.com, a platform for corporate swag, and Printfection, a swag management platform used by companies like Salesforce and HubSpot. These acquisitions led to the launch of Swag Space, an end-to-end swag management platform for distributors that integrates e-commerce, design support, production, and distribution.