First things first, I have to give credit where credit is due. This website wouldn’t exist without the work of Kyle Christian and Felicia Bos. I tried building my own site on different platforms, and I could never get it to look or function the way I had envisioned it. Kyle and Felicia brought it to life, and then some. If you’re in the market for a new website or even a redesign, check them out at kfwebworks.com. Even if you don’t hire them, I encourage you to look into someone local in your area.
There’s something special about supporting local companies. It keeps your dollars flowing in your community and helps small businesses thrive. Here are some real, practical reasons why I choose to stay local whenever I can:
No delays, no guesswork, and no outsourcing:
When you work with local printers or shops, you don’t have to deal with delayed shipping or impersonal representatives. If something goes wrong you can walk in, talk face to face, and get it fixed. No tickets. No bots. No waiting weeks for replacements. For someone like me, who sells and inspects every print with care before it reaches the hands of you. Quality control matters. When I work with a local print shop, I can check the color, sharpness, and paper type myself. I know exactly what my customers are getting.
Your work stays yours:
Probably one of the biggest things other artists don’t think about. When you use big name printing services, you’re often agreeing to terms and conditions that don’t fully protect your rights… and your work. Some companies even allow reprints without permission. This means if someone in house loves your work a little too much, there’s nothing stopping them from running a +1 for themselves. That’s lost revenue, and more importantly, it cheapens the uniqueness of your art. Local shops care about the relationships with its customers. They respect your work because they know you, and they know they will see you again. That trust is crucial.
Relationships over transactions:
Supporting local isn’t just about buying products. You’re essentially building a network. Small businesses do something the internet can’t, they talk about you. Word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising. Your local framer, printer, web designer, or gear shop might refer you to others. They might even want to collaborate. They might even become friends. Every time I show up to a local business, I’m showing up as a customer and a creator. The amount of doors that open, is more than you would imagine.
When you support local, you’re helping someone else’s dream become a reality, just like I hope people do when they invest into my work. It keeps money in the community, builds real relationships, and adds a level of care you won’t find over the phone or internet. So whether it’s your next print job, website project, gear repair, or getting some framing done. Consider going local, it makes more of a difference than you may realize.
