:Custom Ink

Custom Ink (first launched as CustomInk) was founded in 2000 by Marc Katz, the company’s CEO and Chairman, and several of his college friends.{{Cite web |title=Custom Ink |url=https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/60249-97#faqs}}{{Cite web |title=Ink positive: With national ambitions, Custom Ink continues to grow |url=https://www.c-ville.com/null |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=C-VILLE Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Lucia Murillo |first=Ana |date=19 January 2023 |title=Merrifield's Custom Ink consolidates production operations, lays off hundreds |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/19/custom-ink-charlottesville-facility-layoffs.html |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Washington Business Journal}}{{Cite web |last=Central |first=A. S. I. |date=2022-01-07 |title=Custom Ink Acquires Printfection |url=https://members.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/january-2022/custom-ink-acquires-printfection/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=members.asicentral.com |language=en}} It began as a t-shirt design company with funding from family and friends, and consisted of a 10-person team.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |title=Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101702438.html |newspaper=Washington Post}} BT Wolfenshohn was the company’s first lead investor.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-17 |title=Thomas Heath - Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101702438.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Custom Ink reported $1 million in sales its first year and $3 million in 2002.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-17 |title=Thomas Heath - Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101702438.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The company’s first profit was reported in 2003 with gross revenue of $7 million.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-17 |title=Thomas Heath - Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101702438.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

In 2005, Inc. Magazine ranked Custom Ink the 55th fastest growing business in the U.S.{{Cite web |title=Ink positive: With national ambitions, Custom Ink continues to grow |url=https://www.c-ville.com/null |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=C-VILLE Weekly}} The company reported $61 million in sales in 2009.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2010-10-17 |title=Thomas Heath - Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101702438.html |access-date=2024-06-14 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

In 2011, Custom Ink opened its first production facility in Charlottesville, Virginia.{{Cite web |title=Ink positive: With national ambitions, Custom Ink continues to grow |url=https://www.c-ville.com/null |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=C-VILLE Weekly}} At the time, the company had expanded to include customized specialty items such as golf balls and umbrellas.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Susan |title=CustomInk's Marc Katz and Father Steve Katz: Is Entrepreneurship Inherited? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2011/05/06/custominks-marc-katz-and-father-steve-katz-is-entrepreneurshp-inherited/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Forbes |language=en}} It would continue to expand, offering more customized clothing and items including sweats and hats.{{Cite web |date=2013-07-16 |title=100 years of T-shirts: Fashion icon celebrates centennial - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/100-years-of-t-shirts-fashion-icon-celebrates-centennial/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

In November 2013, Custom Ink received $40 million from Revolution Growth, the investment fund run by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis, and Donn Davis.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/11/11/customink-40m-ted-leonsis/|title=CustomInk Nabs $40 Million In Funding From Revolution Growth, Adds Ted Leonsis To Its Board |last=Lawler|first=Ryan |date=November 12, 2013 |website=TechCrunch |access-date=May 17, 2020}} The investment reportedly helped the growth of two new projects: Booster and Pear. Booster{{Cite web |title=What happened to Booster? |url=https://www.customink.com/help_center/fundraising-what-happened-to-booster |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.customink.com}} (later Custom Ink Fundraising) is a crowd-funding website where organizers design and sell T-shirts to raise money for different social causes.{{cite web |last1=Castellanos |first1=Sara |title=Online crowdfunding site Booster lets users raise money for social causes |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2014/04/online-crowdfunding-site-booster-lets-users-raise.html |website=www.bizjournals.com |access-date=July 2, 2024 |date=April 9, 2014}}

In 2016, the company had nine locations and around 1,670 employees.{{Cite web |title=The 15 Best Workplaces in Retail |url=https://fortune.com/2016/11/01/best-companies-retail-2016/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Fortune |language=en}} The company’s name changed to the current form of Custom Ink in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Ink positive: With national ambitions, Custom Ink continues to grow |url=https://www.c-ville.com/null |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=C-VILLE Weekly}}

By 2020, Custom Ink provided customization services for more than 1,000 types of apparel and accessories.

During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the company saw sales drop 80% in only a few days as people stopped planning reunions or in-person gatherings of any kind.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Custom T-shirt maker saves its business with early pivot to masks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/custom-t-shirt-maker-saves-its-business-with-early-pivot-to-masks/2021/03/04/c016ce06-7259-11eb-93be-c10813e358a2_story.html |access-date=July 12, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post}} The company was forced to furlough around 75% of staff, but continued paying health insurance premiums for all, helped employees apply for unemployment benefits, and offered other support services.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2021-03-04 |title=Custom T-shirt maker saves its business with early pivot to masks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/custom-t-shirt-maker-saves-its-business-with-early-pivot-to-masks/2021/03/04/c016ce06-7259-11eb-93be-c10813e358a2_story.html |access-date=2024-07-12 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Due to the N95 mask shortages, the company switched gears to sell cloth masks, they also sold work-from-home kits to help remote employees remain connected and drive-by graduation gear for schools.{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=2021-03-04 |title=Custom T-shirt maker saves its business with early pivot to masks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/custom-t-shirt-maker-saves-its-business-with-early-pivot-to-masks/2021/03/04/c016ce06-7259-11eb-93be-c10813e358a2_story.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} Sales from these ideas and a return to normal business as the pandemic began to recede, Custom Ink was able to bring back its employees by August of 2020.{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Custom T-shirt maker saves its business with early pivot to masks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/custom-t-shirt-maker-saves-its-business-with-early-pivot-to-masks/2021/03/04/c016ce06-7259-11eb-93be-c10813e358a2_story.html |access-date=August 26, 2024 |website=The Washington Post}}

On January 3, 2023, Custom Ink laid off 206 workers in Charlottesville, Virginia, and another 132 in Reno, Nevada. Some workers were able to move to open positions at Custom Ink's Dallas facility; those who didn’t received separation packages that included three months of health benefits, job placement assistance, and between 10-20 weeks of pay dependent on tenure.{{Cite web |last=Hidalgo |first=Jason |title=Custom Ink closing Reno and Charlottesville production facilities; 338 jobs affected |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/money/business/2023/01/03/custom-ink-closing-reno-and-charlottesville-production-facilities/69775016007/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Reno Gazette Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Murillo |first=Ana Lucia |date=Jan 24, 2023 |title=Merrifield's Custom Ink consolidates production operations, lays off hundreds |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/19/custom-ink-charlottesville-facility-layoffs.html |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}

In December 2023, the company launched a new “end-to-end” swag management platform called Swag Space.{{Cite web |last=Central |first=A. S. I. |date=2023-12-12 |title=Custom Ink Launches Merch Management Platform for Distributors |url=https://members.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/december-2023/custom-ink-launches-merch-management-platform-for-distributors/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=members.asicentral.com |language=en}} Swag Space provides an ecommerce platform, automated design support, order production, order tracking, warehousing and distribution, and Shopify integration.{{Cite web |last=Central |first=A. S. I. |date=2023-12-12 |title=Custom Ink Launches Merch Management Platform for Distributors |url=https://members.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/december-2023/custom-ink-launches-merch-management-platform-for-distributors/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=members.asicentral.com |language=en}} It is designed for distributors and is an effort to “bridge the gap” between the traditional supplier-distributor model and direct-to-consumer platforms.{{Cite web |last=Menapace |first=Brendan |date=2023-12-12 |title=Custom Ink Launches Swag Space Platform for Distributors |url=https://www.printandpromomarketing.com/article/custom-ink-launches-swag-space-platform-for-distributors/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Print & Promo Marketing |language=en}} Swag Space was built upon the infrastructure and technology of their acquisition of Swag.com.{{Cite web |last=Menapace |first=Brendan |date=2023-12-12 |title=Custom Ink Launches Swag Space Platform for Distributors |url=https://www.printandpromomarketing.com/article/custom-ink-launches-swag-space-platform-for-distributors/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Print & Promo Marketing |language=en}}

For several years Custom Ink held the Be Good to Each Other Campaign, this campaign raised money and awareness for the National Bullying Prevention Center.{{Cite web |title='Jane the Virgin' star Gina Rodriguez: 'I definitely haven't gone untouched' by bullying |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/08/jane-the-virgin-season-2-gina-rodriguez-bullying/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ciampaglia |first=Dante A. |date=2014-10-22 |title=10 Questions with... Paul Rabil |url=https://www.sikids.com/10-questions/10-questions-paul-rabil |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=SI Kids: Sports News for Kids, Kids Games and More |language=en-us}} Custom Ink’s work was supported by athletes and celebrities such as Gina Rodriguez and Paul Rabil.{{Cite web |title='Jane the Virgin' star Gina Rodriguez: 'I definitely haven't gone untouched' by bullying |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/08/jane-the-virgin-season-2-gina-rodriguez-bullying/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ciampaglia |first=Dante A. |date=2014-10-22 |title=10 Questions with... Paul Rabil |url=https://www.sikids.com/10-questions/10-questions-paul-rabil |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=SI Kids: Sports News for Kids, Kids Games and More |language=en-us}}

In July 2024, the company announced that in August the former Realtor.com CEO David Doctorow would be the company's new CEO, while Katz would continue as Chairman of the Custom Ink Board of Directors.{{Cite web |last=Central |first=A. S. I. |date=2024-07-19 |title=Custom Ink Names New CEO; Marc Katz to Remain Board Chair |url=https://members.asicentral.com/news/industry-news/july-2024/custom-ink-names-new-ceo-marc-katz-to-remain-board-chair/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=members.asicentral.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Custom Ink Names New CEO |url=https://www.ppai.org/media-hub/custom-ink-names-new-ceo/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=PPAI - Promotional Products Association International |language=en-US}}

On February 4, 2016, Custom Ink acquired the Los Angeles company Represent.com, which helps celebrities sell limited-run T-shirts and merchandise to fans and followers.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/washington-area-t-shirt-seller-goes-hollywood/2016/02/04/6a7fbd30-cb5c-11e5-a7b2-5a2f824b02c9_story.html |title=Washington-area T-shirt seller goes Hollywood |last=Heath |first=Thomas |date=February 4, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 17, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/02/04/customink-buys-l-a-based-t-shirt-firm-with-large.html |title=CustomInk buys L.A.-based T-shirt firm with large roster of celebrity investors, customers |last=Niedt |first=Bob |date=February 4, 2016 |website=www.bizjournals.com/washington |access-date=May 17, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/04/customink-acquires-represent-a-custom-merchandise-marketplace-for-influencers/ |title=CustomInk Acquires Represent, A Custom Merchandise Marketplace for Influencers |last=Tepper |first=Fitz |date=February 5, 2016 |website=TechCrunch |access-date=May 17, 2020}} Represent was later acquired by Cameo in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Cameo Acquires Represent to Offer Celebrity Merch on Its Platform {{!}} Built In Chicago |url=https://www.builtinchicago.org/articles/cameo-acquires-represent-celebrity-merch |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Built In |language=en}}

In 2019, Custom Ink purchased Sidestep, a website and mobile app that strictly sells concert merchandise. The acquisition was done through Custom Ink's at-the-time subsidiary Represent.{{Cite web |last=Ruvo |first=Christopher |date=2019-09-23 |title=Custom Ink Subsidiary Acquires Music Merch Platform |url=https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/september-2019/custom-ink-subsidiary-acquires-music-merch-platform/ |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.asicentral.com |language=en}}

In November 2021, the company purchased New York City-based Swag.com for an undisclosed amount.{{Cite web |last=Verdon |first=Joan |title=Apparel Company Custom Ink Acquires Fast-Growing Digital Disruptor Swag.com |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2021/11/08/custom-ink-acquires-fast-growing-digital-disruptor-swagcom/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Schulte |first=Katherine |date=2021-11-10 |title=Custom Ink acquires corporate swag platform |url=https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/custom-ink-acquires-corporate-swag-platform/ |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=Virginia Business |language=en-US}} Swag.com is an online design and ordering company for corporate swag and gifting.{{cite web |last1=Schulte |first1=Katherine |title=Custom Ink acquires corporate swag platform |url=https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/custom-ink-acquires-corporate-swag-platform/ |website=Virginia Business|date=November 10, 2021 }}

Two months later, in January 2022, the company acquired Printfection, a swag management platform.{{Cite web |last=Ruvo |first=Christoper |date=2022-01-07 |title=Custom Ink Acquires Printfection |url=https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/january-2022/custom-ink-acquires-printfection/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=www.asicentral.com |language=en}} Printfection's clients include Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk.{{Cite web |last=Central |first=A. S. I. |date=2022-01-07 |title=Custom Ink Acquires Printfection |url=https://members.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/january-2022/custom-ink-acquires-printfection/ |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=members.asicentral.com |language=en}}

By April 2024, Custom Ink has 42 showroom locations across 15 states and Washington DC.

In 2014, Fortune and Great Place to Work ranked Custom Ink as one of their Top 100 places to work.{{Cite web|title=Custom Ink|url=https://fortune.com/best-companies/2020/custom-ink/|access-date=December 20, 2020|website=Fortune|language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• RushOrderTees
• Redbubble
• Shutterfly
• Spreadshirt
• TeePublic
• Teespring
• Vistaprint
• Zazzle

{{div col end}}

{{Self-publishing|state=expanded}}

Category:Clothing companies of the United States

Category:Clothing companies established in 1999

Category:Retail companies established in 1999

Category:Internet properties established in 1999

Category:Online retailers of the United States

Category:1999 establishments in Virginia