The Chamber ALX Spotlight: Andrew McMann of Custom Ink

STORY BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

With so many businesses, both corporate and independently owned, seeking out logoed items, it’s no wonder that the custom printing industry has been so successful in recent years. From tee-shirts and promotional products to signs and banners, the options are endless and serve as great marketing tools. But as much as custom printing is used in the business world, it has also been tapped for use by groups and organizations for events. As one of the forerunners in the custom printing industry, Custom Ink is a brand that has far-reaching recognition, and Alexandria’s brick-andmortar location is primed for printing everything local businesses and organizations could need.

“We work with people who need items for all sorts of events, including birthday parties, family reunions, charity events, and employee appreciation gifts; and it is great to see the care and effort everyone puts into their customized items,” says Andrew McMann, who has been a store representative for the Custom Ink store in Old Town Alexandria for the past three and a half years. “We also love the chance to make suggestions here at the store and help find the perfect items for a group event— something that they will get and everyone will say ‘Wow!’ about.” Passionate about meeting the needs of local neighbors and businesses, McMann loves working with his clients at Custom Ink and says, “Everyone loves swag,” which keeps him—and the store—extremely busy.

As part of a community-centered business, McMann understands the value in being part of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce along with his colleagues, and he feels that the connection is one that has helped in his work. “Joining the Chamber has been great for all of us at the store here in Old Town because we have gotten to network and meet with other businesses to see what their needs are,” he says.

“Old Town is such a tight-knit community, and it has been instrumental to us as the store has been expanding and growing to be able to go to Chamber meetings so that we could hear about the other businesses in the area and how we can support them and the culture of Old Town.”

- ANDREW MCMANN