Loading ...Campus custom printed apparel maker adds unique take on retail to University and Ann Arbor community
In 2006, Underground Printing opened the first of its campus stores, a 200 sq foot nook on South University Avenue, to better serve the campus community. Since then the company has grown by leaps and bounds, opening 11 stores on campuses throughout the Midwest and East Coast. On October 23rd, the new Ann Arbor store will have its grand opening, unveiling 4,000 square feet of collegiate and campus retail apparel, with a characteristically unique Underground Printing approach – hip, fashion-conscious styles, student-designed prints, apparel from MGoBlog.com, organic and sustainable shirts, game-day inspired shirts for football and basketball season, and a wide variety of one-of-a-kind products through partnerships with a number of local Ann Arbor businesses.
Setting itself apart from traditional campus apparel retailers is a top priority for Underground Printing and its new flagship location. “This is not going to be your grandfather’s bookstore t-shirt shop,” says co-owner Ryan Gregg. “There are plenty of Michigan shirts out there, so we feel it is important to bring something much more unique to the table.” Forgoing the boxy bookstore t-shirt is the first feature of this fresh take on campus apparel. The company will primarily carry products on a wide variety of styles from companies such as American Apparel that offer better fits and newer styles.
In addition to U of M related apparel, UGP will feature a number of other unique product lines. The company has launched a Campus Designers program (www.ugpcampusdesigners.com) to allow students to submit designs or even ideas for a shirt that speaks to the current atmosphere on campus. Winning designs/ideas will be featured on a limited edition short run print available in the store. Profits from the Campus Designers program will go back to selected campus non-profits. “We are really excited about the idea that student designs can directly impact the campus and local community in a positive way.” says co-owner Rishi Narayan about the program. In addition, the new location will carry each of the designs from local sportsblog MGoBlog, which recently launched an online store at www.mgoblogstore.com. Other lines will include Ann Arbor and state of Michigan-centric designs, vintage Michigan sports teams, and much more.
Custom printed and embroidered apparel will remain a mainstay of the store as well, with expanded computing resources for customers. Sales associates are available to take custom orders Monday through Friday. The store will be open seven days a week starting Friday October 23, 2009.
About Underground Printing
Underground Printing offers custom printed t-shirts and other apparel online and at its twelve locations to customers of all sizes. All of their apparel goods are printed and embroidered in-house at their 35,000 sq foot facility. The company currently has twelve locations in seven states across the Midwest, including four locations with retail apparel lines. The company was recently named to the Inc 5000 list of fastest growing companies in America and is currently ranked as the nation’s 39th largest printer by volume by Impressions magazine. For more information on Underground Printing, please visit www.undergroundshirts.com.
Ann Arbor, MI