Background: During our sophomore year at college, my roommate and I started a graphic design and printing company. While we closed it a couple of years after we graduated, it was a great learning experience and our first profitable business.
Initially, we sold anything that we could print. Later, though, we narrowed our focus to graphic design and printed apparel. We sold primarily to clubs on campus, friends from home who started their own businesses, bands and a couple of local shops up in Providence. Our customers were not familiar with the screen printing process and found it difficult to navigate through the complex pricing options. We competed on simplicity and flexibility. I handled most of the design work with the help of an occasional freelancer, we outsourced printing and production while using drop shipping. This kept our fixed cost down, giving us greater flexibility and control over our business.
In the beginning, while operating out of our dorm room, it was important to assure potential customers we had a legitimate business. Over time, it became obvious that if we wanted to grow, we would need standard processes, products with set prices, and templates for mock-ups, proofs, and invoices. The G+L Graphics website was a critical part of our solution.
Website Goal: Establish credibility and automate the repetitive selling process.
Demonstration Video
Style Guide
Responsive Design
