Custom Ink

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CustomInk
File:Custom Ink logo.png
Type of businessPrivate
Type of site
Online Custom Apparel and Accessories, eCommerce
Available inEnglish
Founded1999, McLean, Virginia[1]
HeadquartersFairfax, Virginia
No. of locations18 (July 2020)
Area servedUnited States, Canada, Europe
Founder(s)
  • Marc Katz
  • Dave Christensen
  • Mike Driscoll
CEOMarc Katz
IndustryCustomized Apparel and Accessories
ProductsT-shirts, Apparel, Accessories
ServicesScreen Printing, Digital Printing, Custom Media, Embroidery
Revenue~US$300 million
Employees1500+
URLcustomink.com

Custom Ink is an American online retail company headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia that makes custom clothing and other items such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, and tech accessories.[2][3]

History

Custom Ink was launched in 1999 (as CustomInk) by former college classmates Marc Katz, Dave Christensen, and Mike Driscoll.[4]

In November 2013, Custom Ink received $40 million from Revolution Growth, the investment fund run by Steve Case, Ted Leonsis, and Donn Davis.[5] The investment reportedly helped the growth of two new projects: Booster and Pear.[5] Booster (later Custom Ink Fundraising) was launched by Andrew Moss (previously founder of BuyWithMe) who rejoined Custom Ink after being one of the original CustomInk founding members.[6]

In 2019, Custom Ink's investors sold their shares for an undisclosed amount.[7]

Acquisitions

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.[8][9][10] In 2019, CustomInk purchased Sidestep, a website and mobile app that strictly sells concert merchandise. The acquisition was done through CustomInk’s subsidiary Represent.[11]

In November 2021, the company purchased New York City-based giveaway startup Swag.com for an undisclosed amount.[12][13] Two months later, in January 2022, the company acquired Printfection, a swag management platform.[3]

Awards

In 2014, Fortune and Great Place to Work ranked Custom Ink as one of their Top 100 places to work.[14]

References

  1. ^ Heath, Thomas (October 17, 2010). "Harvard graduate left Wall Street to start CustomInk T-shirt design business". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: Washington Post Media. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  2. ^ Murillo, Ana Lucia (December 10, 2021). "Custom Ink CEO says the company is back in growth mode after pandemic low. But supply challenges remain a sticking point". Washington Business Journal.
  3. ^ a b Ruvo, Christoper (January 7, 2022). "Custom Ink Acquires Printfection". www.asicentral.com. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  4. ^ "CustomInk, LLC Company Information". Hoovers.
  5. ^ a b Lawler, Ryan (November 12, 2013). "CustomInk Nabs $40 Million In Funding From Revolution Growth, Adds Ted Leonsis To Its Board". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. ^ Castellanos, Sara (April 9, 2014). "Online crowdfunding site Booster lets users raise money for social causes". www.bizjournals.com/boston. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Gregg, Aaron; Heath, Thomas. "Private investors buy out shares of Custom Ink, which built a fortune on T-shirts". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Heath, Thomas (February 4, 2016). "Washington-area T-shirt seller goes Hollywood". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  9. ^ Niedt, Bob (February 4, 2016). "CustomInk buys L.A.-based T-shirt firm with large roster of celebrity investors, customers". www.bizjournals.com/washington. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  10. ^ Tepper, Fitz (February 5, 2016). "CustomInk Acquires Represent, A Custom Merchandise Marketplace for Influencers". TechCrunch. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  11. ^ Ruvo, Christopher (September 23, 2019). "Custom Ink Subsidiary Acquires Music Merch Platform". www.asicentral.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  12. ^ Verdon, Joan. "Apparel Company Custom Ink Acquires Fast-Growing Digital Disruptor Swag.com". Forbes. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  13. ^ Schulte, Katherine (November 10, 2021). "Custom Ink acquires corporate swag platform". Virginia Business. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "Custom Ink". Fortune. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
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