PrintKEG, Beaufort, SC

Wanting to engage clients even further, PrintKEG used its blog to promote Photo Challenge, asking clients to send in images of themselves utilizing the images printed with the online maven. The winner was given $250 in credit. PrintKEG, in turn, was given a deeper glimpse into how end users leverage their products.

"We wanted to see what customers were doing with the prints," Mullen says. "We got a lot of responses, and it helped create a connection. We're not just creating ink on paper; these clients are proud of their creations and we wanted to see them in action. We'd like our next contest to involve video."

Growth is definitely in the cards for PrintKEG, which has relied on a pair of Xerox 700 digital color presses, but is generating enough clicks to justify looking into adding either a Xerox iGen or HP Indigo digital press within the next 12 months, according to Mullen.

Recently, the company added t-shirts to its repertoire (a nod to its musician clientele) with photo gifts and stationery also destined to make an impact on the bottom line.

With growth comes the hope of purchasing finishing gear, as well as a 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot building within the next few years, aided by favorable commercial terms in South Carolina.

Mullen notes that his programmers are working on unique tools to benefit the designers and resellers among their customers with an application programming interface (API) that will allow them to make use of PrintKEG content on their own Websites. As an example, PrintKEG is working on a WordPress application that will allow artists to sell their work on their blog within minutes of setup.

So while not everything that Mr. Keg puts his name to will be solely products of a printed nature, all five members of PrintKEG have their eyes on the prize. For now, the next plateau is $10 million in sales, and why not? The company has been able to hit its marks thus far.