Prim & Printed

Basic Information

Business Name: Prim & Printed
Website: N/A
Established: December, 2020

Questions answered by: Carley Smith and Michelle Arseny

Social Media

About Them

Can you please fully explain your business or product line?

We provide custom vinyl print options on an array of products, with our primary focus on garments. Our most popular customer request is for custom crewnecks and t-shirts with newborn through to adult sizing. 

While most requests are for personal use, we have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to brand garments for businesses throughout many Canadian provinces too!

With the Winnipeg local maker community continuing to grow, what is the most important thing you’d like potential customers of your company to know?

We really work to involve the customer in the customization process, ensuring consistent timelines and a clear understanding of what’s possible with our product offering. We love having the opportunity to work collaboratively to bring your vision to life. We also offer a wide range of pre-made designs for customers to view and select from.

What inspired you to start your business?

As sisters, we have always had a desire to start a business together. We feel fortunate to be family AND the best of friends. Through the lockdowns of COVID, distance and in-person time between our families were tough to navigate. We took that time as a great opportunity to do something we’ve always wanted to do whilst having the opportunity for a creative outlet. 

During Christmas of 2020, we started making custom Christmas gear for our own families and sharing it on social media. Before long, we found that others were also looking for the opportunity to create unique custom pieces for their loved ones as a way of celebrating and showing love. 

For Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. For family, friends, teachers, kids, and adults. Unique family names for grandparents, aunts and parents, as well as capturing experiences with friends, highlighting milestones, and celebrating moments in life. 

You name it, we were honoured to be a part of it and continue to be just as thrilled.

What was the biggest struggle you’ve had to overcome?

Perhaps just understanding that with business comes hurdles & struggles; if you don’t hit any, perhaps you aren’t trying your hardest or pushing your boundaries.

One that sticks out most would be really just learning through trial & error of product sourcing and ensuring that the quality met our growing expectations of what we want our end product to feel and look like.

What has been your biggest success as a maker?

Our first big “holiday” rush for Father’s Day last year, which included balancing the number of orders we committed to alongside the number of orders we’d love to do, sourcing products, and completing it all within a tight timeline. 

The thrill of it all along with the sense of success and accomplishment, while small on the grander scale that we’ll perhaps look back on and see that number of orders as a “breeze”, really was pivotal for us.

Do you have any advice that you would pass on to someone hoping to start up their own business or product line?

Just start. There are a million reasons to tell yourself that you shouldn’t or can’t do it. There are also a million and one reasons, if you really look for them, to give it a shot. There will be lessons & mistakes, but there will be even more successes, moments of joy, and accomplishments. 

Lean on the maker community, and remember…you’re not alone! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be okay knowing that you will not be the maker for everyone.

Please share any upcoming events as well as the best place(s) for people to purchase your product!

The best place to find us and also to connect is through Instagram! If you prefer, feel free to email us at primandprintedmb@gmail.com.