Custom Ink Opens Seven New Physical Stores, Offers Same-Day Capabilities

Custom Ink, one of the primary competitors to traditional promotional products businesses, has taken another step in its expansion plans and opened seven more brick-and-mortar locations in its native Virginia. Six of the stores are located within Michaels' stores. One of the locations is a standalone store, with another planned standalone store opening in Alexandria, Va., this summer.

Virginia Business reported that Custom Ink stores will allow customers to get face-to-face input and design help while creating apparel items, similar to what Vistaprint has done with its storefront.

The first standalone store, in Reston, Va., also will allow in-store, same-day digital printing to add rush capabilities to the personal touch the storefronts allow.

Today we're opening our newest store at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston, VA! Stop in anytime or book an appointment to meet with us today: https://t.co/3gKn6982Vi pic.twitter.com/X6oxilOHwg

— Custom Ink (@customink) June 25, 2018

"Both [Custom Ink and Michaels'] are known for helping customers turn their creative visions into personalized art and products, and Custom Ink's new spaces in six Virginia stores will offer an easy and innovative way to discover and create custom clothing and accessories," said Steve Carloti, Custom Ink's executive vice president of marketing.

The thing that stands out the most here is the same-day capabilities in the store. People already like to do business face-to-face when they're trying to solve an issue or fulfill a specific need, as it prevents misunderstandings and improves communication. The fact that they can get their customized products almost immediately, the same as a retail experience, is something that traditional promotional products companies will likely have to compete with.