Kelly J. runs Modrn Ink Wall Printing in Madison, Alabama, and works with a contract operator on the printer. The idea started with a wall she painted herself. Everything in quotes below is from her owner review call, in her words, with the ums taken out.
I had just hand painted our logo in our office lobby and it took me a week. As soon as we saw the printer I thought, we could have done that in an hour.
The first months: a routine, written down
Kelly is straight about the learning curve. The printer needs attention, and the answer was a routine she could repeat.
It was kind of like having a newborn. It needs daily attention.
I was over-complicating it. It really is quite straightforward. It’s repetition. I wrote it down, step one, step two.
Not doing it alone
Any time I’ve had a problem, the support team has been immediate to respond. It helps with my confidence. I’m not alone. If something’s going wrong, there are people who can help.
Practice before you promise
Kelly’s rule for new surfaces and new kinds of work is simple, and it’s one we’d give any owner.
I’ve learned that if I’m going to offer something, I practice it here first so I’m not over-promising.
I learn so much every time I take a job.
Where the work comes from
Her best lead source so far isn’t an ad. It’s a referral group. The spa lobby logo wall at the top of this page is the job she means.
The most helpful thing so far has been BNI. I’ve gotten referrals from the group, and the float spa job came from visiting another chapter.
A minimum that makes the trip worth it
Every job means loading the printer, setting up and breaking down. Kelly prices with that in mind.
I don’t want to take the machine out and print something for less than $500.
Most owners land in the same place. Read the three kinds of wall printing jobs for how quick, mid-range and larger jobs price out.
What to take from Kelly’s story
- Write the routine down. Repetition is what makes the printer easy.
- An owner can run it with an operator. Kelly works with a contract operator.
- Referral groups work. Her spa job came from a networking visit.
- Set a minimum. $500 covers the trip, the setup and the breakdown.
See Modrn Ink Wall Printing at modrn.ink.
Questions people ask
Can an owner run a wall printer with a hired operator?
Yes. Kelly owns Modrn Ink Wall Printing and works with a contract operator. Training is one full day and your whole team is welcome.
Where do first wall printing customers come from?
For Kelly, referral groups. Her spa lobby job came from visiting another BNI chapter. Most owners start with people they already know and walls people can see.
What minimum should a wall printing job have?
Kelly will not take the printer out for less than $500, and most owners set the same minimum so even a small job covers the trip and about 30 minutes of setup and breakdown.
Thinking about your own wall printing business? Tell the team in Wilmington where you are and what you want to print, and we’ll walk you through the numbers.
Owner stories: real owners, in their own words.