The hum and hiss of machinery, the scent of ink and the humid heat of a commercial warehouse — that’s the daily reality of Cardwell Printing, offering printing services, sign printing, apparel creation, signs, posters, banners, boxes and displays. And this is just a few of its capabilities.
“We do commercial and residential services. We can do anything from printing 500 business cards to 5,000 calendars. We can also do branded promotional items, and we box and mail the items,” say Danette Gibson, Cardwell’s vice president.
The business has run in Gibson’s blood since she was a child. Gibson’s father and brother started the business in October 1977, and she and her husband Phillip took over in 1993. “It is our livelihood. We have been in printing and apparel for many years and are well versed in the wants and needs of our customers,” she says.
Unique projects? Gibson says a few come readily to mind. “We have made custom electronic panels for boats, sewn race car driver suits, golf bags, made and mailed custom box mailers with custom products inside, embroidered on shoes, made custom shaped aluminum business cards on our new router, the list goes on,” Gibson says with a smile. “We can work with any business that gets branded material, whether on paper or polos.”
One of Cardwell’s fun projects was designing a round beach towel for a client who was celebrating a special birthday. The team found a big blue towel and designed it with daisies around it and the birthday girl’s photo in the center. This was her gift to the invited guests.
The team at Gibson also had a special experience during the pandemic. “We won the Home Shopping Network (HSN) Big Find ‘Golden Ticket’ for a product we designed, made and marketed called ‘The Strappee,’” Gibson says. “It was a strap that held your mask around your neck when not in use, similar to sunglass straps. We worked as a team writing, designing, making and packaging it. It kept our employees busy during Covid. We sold them customized locally and HSN sold six different designs online. We also had them in the shop with different patterns for sale.”
The team of roughly 20 at Cardwell has a goal to be “the most responsive and easiest company to do business with while outperforming our customers’ expectations,” and they strive for that every day.
Looking to the future, Cardwell will stay in the family. “The future is looking like our son is the third generation, and he will come in to operate the business. He has fresh ideas and brings energy every day. It’s exciting because he is young and we are old, and it’s time for fresh ideas,” Gibson says with a twinkle in her eye.
When the Gibsons aren’t working, they enjoy boating, traveling and spending time as new grandparents.
TO THE POINT:
Cardwell Printing
Address: 15470 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23608
Phone: 757-888-0674
Email: info@cardwellprinting.com
Website: www.cardwellprinting.com
