After a decade printing at home, Contempl8 T-Shirts has finally gotten out of the house.
Southwest Journal, November 14, 2011
Owner Chris Loch now sells his shirts and screen prints out of a storefront at 4302 Nicollet Ave. S.
“Having been around for almost 10 years, I’ve wanted people to get to know about it a little bit,†Loch said. “Fifty percent of my business is local, and it’d be nice to be recognized as a core business in the city.â€
Loch has made his mark by offering environmentally friendly screen printing services. He only uses water-based ink and relies on wind power for all of his electrical needs.
“Almost every other printer out there uses plastisol ink that has both PVC and phthalates in it,†he said. Using water-based ink “is a net plus for me and the environment and the people wearing the shirts.â€
While he sells a couple of his own designs from his storefront, most of Loch’s business comes from printing shirts for others. One of his largest and highest profile clients is local indie rock group Cloud Cult.
“They go on tour with 20 boxes of shirts, come back and want some more,†he said.
Although he appreciates the publicity that clients that Cloud Cult provide, Loch said he’s primarily interested in promoting the cause of environmentally sensitive screen printing.
Using non-carcinogenic, sustainable methods “is what interests me,†Loch said. “I’m more interested in that than I am becoming the next millionaire.â€
For more information, check out Contempl8 T-Shirts webpage at contempl8.net