Big Picture - May 2020 - 20

CHANGE of COURSE
Print shops around the country are being affected by COVID-19 in many different ways
depending on location, "essential business" designations, and lack of client requests.
We spoke to four Editorial Advisory Board members from across the US to get a behindthe-scenes look at how they're adapting to the current situation.

REED
SILBERMAN

Founder/CEO
Ink Monstr
(inkmonstr.com),
Denver Colorado
Is your shop deemed essential?
Yes! We are not only making face masks for all types of
essential businesses and hospitals, we are also supporting
essential businesses, such as restaurants, to help them
promote their delivery and curbside pickup.
Can you take me through the process of turning
your business into 90 percent mask making?

BIG PICTURE

May 2020

We had to essentially restructure the entire company. It's
basically like starting a whole new business literally overnight.
We had to create the fit patterns, select the proper material, and
then be able to source the materials in quantity and take
delivery before everything was on back order or ran out
completely. At the same time, we had to ramp up our workforce. We essentially went from three to four in-house seamstresses to 20 to 30 seamstresses either working in-house or
remotely. Simultaneously, we were creating a marketing and

social media roll out plan to get the word out. We then needed
to be able to keep up with production and produce units faster
than we could have ever imagined. We have been making face
masks for a month now. We have streamlined our production
line and can now handle mass production.
Do you have any regular business?
Our vinyl business has pretty much come to a screeching halt.
Luckily, we work with a lot of construction companies and
essential businesses, so we still have several large vinyl projects
moving forward. We have some very nice building wraps and
interior commercial projects that are still moving forward.
What are the some pro tips for a shop that is
looking to convert their business in a similar
fashion during this pandemic?
Be creative! Utilize the tools you have to shift and produce
products that meet the current needs. It's all about perspective and keeping a positive attitude to gain the clarity and
vision you need to focus your energy in the right direction.
Whatever product you decide to make, do it with passion,
commitment, and integrity!
What other markets have you seen grow?
The people who are doing well are the ones who have adapted
and converted their businesses to meet the current market
demands. I have seen distilleries making hand sanitizer,
fabrication shops making plastic face shields, and I even know
several parachute manufacturers mass producing face masks,
as well. I think any drive-thrus or walk-up coffee and food
establishments have been able to weather the storm. They
have low overhead and still can service the general public.
Is there light at the end of the tunnel?
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Night always
turns into day, winter into spring, and nothing is permanent. This
too shall pass. Ink Monstr will be wherever this paths leads us.
Face masks will not be going anywhere anytime soon. We will
do what we always do. We have a passion for what we do and we
will always find a way to help our clients build their brands while
simultaneously building the Ink Monstr brand name. We have
always been known for our creativity and artistic style, and we
will always be true to our identity and our loyal customers.

http://www.inkmonstr.com

Big Picture - May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Big Picture - May 2020