Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Tatum.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Story of 3thirteen Printing Company: Quality Meets Community
Born in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, 3thirteen Printing Company began with a clear mission: to prove that “home-based” doesn’t mean “limited.” Founded in January 2020, we launched just as the world was shifting, reinforcing our commitment to helping local businesses and individuals stand out when it mattered most.
From Roots to Results
What started as a focused vision in a home studio has grown into a community staple. We’ve spent the last few years bridging the gap between high-end professional printing and the personal touch of a local creator. Our journey has been defined by:
Community Integration: Through vibrant pop-up shops and collaborative projects, we’ve moved beyond the digital storefront to meet our neighbors face-to-face.
Diverse Partnerships: From solo entrepreneurs looking for their first batch of business cards to established local companies needing custom apparel and branding, we’ve handled projects of every scale.
The “Affordable Excellence” Standard: We believe that exceptional quality shouldn’t come with a corporate markup. By staying home-based, we keep our overhead low and pass those savings directly to our clients.
Where We Are Today
Today, 3thirteen is more than just a printing service; we are a creative partner for the North Carolina community. We’ve traded the traditional brick-and-mortar complexity for a streamlined, personal approach that ensures every project gets the attention it deserves. Whether it’s a single custom piece or a bulk order for a local event, our goal remains the same: bringing premium craftsmanship to your doorstep at a rate that keeps your dreams moving forward.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been paved with smooth ink and perfect alignments. Like any venture built from the ground up, we’ve faced our share of “clogged nozzles” and steep learning curves.
The 2020 Timing
Launching in January 2020 meant that within two months, our “normal” business model was turned upside down. While the world paused, we had to figure out how to provide a physical product in a socially distanced world. It forced us to become experts in digital collaboration and contactless service long before we planned to.
Supply Chain & Sustainability
From shirt shortages to rising ink costs, the global supply chain issues of the last few years hit small shops the hardest. We had to get creative, pivoting our sourcing and refining our processes to ensure our clients never felt the brunt of those industry-wide delays or price hikes.
As you know, we’re big fans of 3Thirteen Printing Company, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its core, 3thirteen Printing Company is a hybrid—part high-precision print shop, part strategic brand agency.
We provide a comprehensive suite of branding tools designed to make an impact in the physical and digital world. Our core specialties include:
Promotional Products: From custom apparel that people actually want to wear to unique hardware that keeps your brand in your customers’ hands.
Custom Decals & Vinyl: High-durability, precision-cut decals for storefronts, vehicles, and product packaging.
Graphic Design Services: Professional visual storytelling. We take rough ideas and turn them into print-ready, professional brand assets.
In a world of automated online printers, we offer something they can’t: Proximity and Partnership.
The “Agency” Mindset: Unlike big-box printers that just hit “print” on whatever file you upload, we view your project through a branding lens. We catch the small details and offer design advice to ensure the final product actually achieves your business goals.
Brand Pride & Our Mission
What are we most proud of? The longevity of our relationships. We’ve watched clients grow from a single logo idea to fully branded fleets and storefronts. There is a deep sense of pride in seeing a 3thirteen decal on a car in traffic or a 3thirteen-designed shirt at a local brewery.
What we want readers to know: Whether you are an individual with a passion project, a startup needing a visual identity, or an established business looking to refresh your promotional gear, 3thirteen is your local HQ. We offer the technical expertise of a large-scale manufacturer with the soul and dedication of a boutique agency.
Accessible Premium: We have dismantled the idea that you need a corporate budget to get agency-level results. Our home-based model is a strategic choice that allows us to offer premium materials at affordable rates.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We believe that great things happen when local creators support one another. Here is how you can connect with us, start a project, or stay in the loop.
1. Start a Project (Request a Quote)
Ready to bring your vision to life? The best way to begin is by visiting our website. Whether you need a bulk order of promotional products, custom storefront decals, or a complete graphic design overhaul, our quote process is streamlined to get you moving fast.
Website: www.3thirteenprintingcompany.com
2. Follow the Journey
For a behind-the-scenes look at our latest projects, pop-up shop announcements, and printing tips, follow us on social media. It’s the best place to see our quality in action and engage with our Raleigh-based team.
Instagram & Facebook: @3thirteenprintingcompany
3. Stay in the Loop (Monthly Newsletter)
Don’t miss out on new product drops, seasonal discounts, or community highlights. By joining our mailing list, you’ll receive our monthly newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. It’s our way of keeping our supporters “in the know” about the latest at the shop.
Sign up: Look for the newsletter link at the bottom of our homepage!
4. Collaborative Opportunities
Are you a local business or artist looking to collaborate on a pop-up shop or a limited-edition merch run? We love partnering with fellow North Carolina creators. Reach out to us via our website’s contact form or DM us on social media to start a conversation about how we can work together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.3thirteenprintingcompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3thirteenprintingcompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3thirteenprintingcompany
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@3thirteenprintingcompany
