Cheshire Print was set up by owner Jake Willington in 2022 – initially as a side hustle operating out of a bedroom cupboard at his parents’ home – while he was working as an apprentice via Learn2Print at Surf & Turf in Warrington.

“I completed my 28 month college course in 12 months, being one of the first in the country to pass the new curriculum/course layout of Level 3 in digital printing,” Willington told Printweek.

Willington, who is 22, spotted an opportunity in producing bespoke scented and branded air fresheners for a range of businesses, including car detailing and valeting firms and SMEs such as salons, and the business has taken off.

It has just won a Maker Award for Best Use of Technology, via the Business Awards UK scheme.

“I found the niche for custom air fresheners when I began doing graphic design work for people in the automotive industry,” he explained.

“I quickly discovered that there was a high demand for good quality car air fresheners, with low minimum order quantities.

“With months and months of research, failure and testing I was able to develop a bespoke production process allowing any quantity of air fresheners to be produced, without the incredible setup costs often seen with litho printed alternatives that are die cut,” he said.

Willington has conquered a number of challenges including printing and cutting, and also the addition of fragrances.

“As I'm sure everybody is aware, most car wash freebies, or supermarket air fresheners last a matter of days. We've changed that to weeks,” he added.

He is keeping details of the precise equipment used under wraps.

The firm is in the process of implementing a new die-cutting setup for large orders and common shapes to further speed up production.

Willington also plans to bring the production of printed footwell mats in-house.

Cheshire Print is currently a team of three people, including Willington’s “good friend River” who handles print finishing, and his mother Jane “who handles all admin and keeps me organised!”.

Willington operates as a sole trader for simplicity. He said turnover last year was around £60,000 and has grown this year to around £20,000-£25,000 a quarter.

“I can only see this going up!” Willington said.

Cheshire Print now operates out of space at the Portal Business Centre in Warrington.