When Cynthia Aranda first printed two canvas bags with her son’s handprints, she didn’t know it would lead to a successful business. Now, 17 years later, she is the owner of Ink Your Wear, a family-operated printing shop that has just relocated to Brookfield.
Aranda had been running her business in Riverside for 14 years, but she was not happy with the location.
She had a long-term lease that prevented her from moving until last year, when she got the opportunity to cancel it. She immediately started looking for a new place, and Brookfield was at the top of her list.
“In Brookfield, I was able to find a location that fits the needs of the business in size, location, availability, parking, et. cetera,” Aranda said.
She said she felt welcomed by the Brookfield community, where she was already involved by printing shirts for local races and other events.
“It’s perfect, definitely our best decision ever,” Aranda said.
Aranda is originally from the suburbs of Mexico City. After finishing college, she worked in event planning for the university. However, she always felt the need to express her creative side and started printmaking as a hobby.
She remembers her first print was a gift to her family. It was two canvas bags on which her son, Julio, put his handprints to create a butterfly.
Over time, the hobby grew into a full business. In 2005, she started doing this business as a side gig while working a corporate job. She and her husband at the time did not have children and decided to move back to Illinois from Mexico City. The growing business allowed Aranda to quit her daytime job and make a living by printing.
In 2007, she started doing it professionally and did everything at home. In 2009, she needed a store and opened one on Harlem Avenue. In 2014, Ink Your Wear became an independent corporation.
Aranda said what sets them apart is that they focus on both individual, small orders and contracts for big orders, while a lot of printers have a large order minimum.
She said her favorite part of this work is to see people wear her print designs around the community. However, the more challenging part is speed and sometimes impatience of customers.
“I could be working extra hours doing the stuff, but it’s not only in my hands,” Aranda said. “I need to get supplies in order to fulfill your order, that is the challenging part.”
The store offers printing of custom designs, customers’ photos and design ideas from scratch.
Aranda’s son helps her around the store with designs, as well as her husband. But Ink Your Wear also creates opportunities for the Riverside-Brookfield students by hiring them as paid interns. Aranda said the internship is indefinite, allows flexibility around school, but the student must have graphic design knowledge.
With the new bigger location, Aranda is planning to bring on board two more employees, one for bigger orders and the other for smaller ones.
The store is also planning to introduce new services like printing on mugs, water bottles and Christmas ornaments in the middle of February.
Although the store is working in the back end and fulfilling orders, the storefront is set to open around Feb. 1 after the last inspection, Aranda said. After the official opening, Aranda is planning to throw a welcoming party with the help of the Brookfield village.