Launched in mid-November, PersonaliseMe has been “chock-a-block” since opening, according to Carly Brands, co-owner and head of the new firm.
She told Printweek that the decision to open the store was a swift one, made after the couple’s LimaLima cards business was able to upgrade to a dedicated warehouse facility in Colwyn Bay.
She and husband James Brands decided to open a new business in LimaLima’s old 140sqm shopfront, and PersonaliseMe was born.
“There seems to have been a real need for [merchandising] services, particularly here in Colwyn Bay – there were no other printers providing the whole range of services that we can offer,” she said.
Also key to the shop’s early success, Brands said, was that people appreciated having a friendly face to take them through the printing process.
“We have a big bright sign outside, so people can just come in and have a chat about products, without having to scour the internet for products and printing requirements,” she said.
The two businesses, which have four full-time and six part-time staff spread across them, also have an in-house design team, enabling PersonaliseMe to hand-hold customers through the print process.
“A lot of people struggle to work out print requirements, or don’t understand what’s needed – people do sometimes just show you a photograph intent on getting it printed without sending the actual file. So we’re happy to support with anything like that, and go above and beyond to give a good customer experience,” Brands said.
PersonaliseMe now has a range of kit, including a Xerox Versant 180 shared with LimaLima, an Oki Pro9432WT white toner printer, Sawgrass 800 sublimation printer, and HP DesignJet T650 plotter-printer spread across its shop and warehouse, as well as embroidery and heat-press machines.
LimaLima, which sells greetings cards online, has now moved in with historic printer Powlsons, which at 135 years old is one of the longest-standing businesses in the area, after buying half of the firm’s building.
The two businesses now work together closely, with Powlsons fulfilling large-format custom orders for the PersonaliseMe team.
“This year, we really want to become established within the local area, and launch an online version of the PersonaliseMe shop, not only for workwear and promotional merchandise, but also seasonal gifts,” Brands said.
