Wicker Walker Printing and Design has been a popular business for anyone wanting superlative service and high-quality printing, and they’re celebrating their move to new digs with an open house Thursday, August 29 from 4 – 6 p.m.
Kate Wicker said what they like the most about this business is the diversity of jobs.
“You never know what the day will bring,” she said. “Also, our customers, they are always so fun and excited. It is a real joy to convert an idea in someone’s head to a tangible product. We know what we do helps others with success in their business and that is a great feeling, too. We thrive on being part of this fabulous little quirky community of Eureka we call home.”
Wicker went to school at Austin Community College in 1985, got a degree in printing management in 1987, and has been in the printing industry ever since. She has cameraman, stripper, plate burner, estimator and the face of customer service.
“Some say it is in your blood,” Wicker said. “I believe that to be true in my case. When I started this business, I wanted to produce quality work at affordable ‘Eurekan’ prices. I wanted the printing in Eureka to look its best since we are a tourist town.”
Wicker Walker started out as a paper printer and through the years the locals have steered them toward branching out in more areas. There was a demand for large format printing, so they bought a 24” Canon that can print large posters, architectural plans, artist prints and gallery wraps. Then, there was a demand for vinyl signs and banners, so they purchased a plotter and an Eco solvent large format printer.
“Some customers wanted gallery wraps, so we purchased tools that would allow us to do that,” Wicker said. “We also got asked a lot if we did t-shirts, so now we have a direct-to-garment t-shirt printer.”
Wicker Walker opened on US 62E in 2014, after working for Geographics for seven years.
“Our first location was a great little shop and I can’t thank Gene and Sheri Bland enough for allowing us to rent from them and grow,” Wicker said. “Then, in October of 2018, the opportunity to buy the old Floyd’s Gym presented itself and we jumped on it. We really were running out of space at the old location. We made the improvements needed to move in and did so in February this year.”
Since starting the remodel, many locals stopped by to share stories of the building’s varied businesses over the years. Fondly remembered was the Orange Door, a watering hole “way on the edge of town” at that time. Wicker Walker has painted the front door an inviting orange, in homage to the fond memories.
The new location gives them better visibility and more space. That is handy not just for the printing equipment, but for being family friendly.
“We absolutely love our new space,” Wicker said. “Ashley Stouten has been our graphic designer extraordinaire for 4-5 years now. She brought her son, Hawken, to work every day until he could climb out of his playpen. Hawken is also known as the Chief Morale Officer.
“Now our vinyl expert, Kaitlyn Teague, is expecting her daughter soon. Hopefully she will be bringing our new team member to work as well. This location has given us the opportunity for new hires. Val Langer has also joined us. She makes sure your finished product is cut and folded properly and that things are in proper order. And, of course, I couldn’t have done this move without my partner, Susan Walker.”
Walker retired recently after 21 years as an emergency room social worker. Now she helps out as needed, making deliveries and doing the bookkeeping.
Wicker Walker uses Xerox copying machines because they are the industry’s leader in digital printing. Wicker points out that Xerox is environmentally aware and has a great line of production (cardboard) boxes. They use Canon for large format printing and Roland for vinyl and banner jobs.
Wicker Walker Printing is a member of Advertising Specialty Industries, which allows them to partner with companies to provide koozies, bags, glasses, Frisbees, key chains, pens, and other personalized items. They also can handle billboard wraps.
Stop by to see for yourself during their open house. Curly, the shop dog, may be waiting to greet you, along with the Wicker Walker Printing smiling faces. Curly may bark but generally just shakes his pom-pom tail.