“I decided to take a few photos of where we live, it’s such a beautiful place. I ordered a canvas from an online company and waited excitedly for it to arrive, when it did I was very disappointed, it lacked vibrance and was badly marked as well as poorly made. I thought to myself, that I could definitely do a better job and I had the time on my hands to investigate and research the process.”
Initially operating from a spare bedroom, he bought some equipment and began selling prints at local markets and craft fairs, and would set up a street stall with wife Michelle – of Great British Bake Off fame – to sell local images. Ben says: “After some long sleepless nights getting to grips with things, I finally started to produce canvases I was happy with and from there I changed the business name and direction to reflect more of a trade supplier rather than a retailer. After changing the name, a few weeks in we had a call… things had finally paid off for us as we picked up a job for GQ magazine. We sort of haven’t stopped from that day and haven’t looked back. Michelle and I always say we’re an effective team!”
Where are you based?
Trade Canvas Print is in Tenby, Pembrokeshire. We moved into an old converted dairy building back in 2009
How many staff do you have?
Five
What does your firm do?
We print canvases mainly for the trade, as well as fine art paper prints
What’s your typical customer?
Mainly photographers, shops and first timers – and of course repeat business
Which geographic areas do you serve?
Most of our work is generated from our website and we cover all of the UK. We also have a good local business supplying shops and clients within our town and county
What equipment do you run?
Three HP DesignJet Z6200s, a Canon imageProGraf IPF8400 and two heat presses
What’s your USP?
We pride ourselves on quality and unrivalled turnaround speeds, most orders leave us on the same day or within 24 hours
What’s been your proudest achievement in the past few years?
Working for some amazing clients, but Michelle getting onto The Great British Bake Off last year has to be the best!
Where do you see your business in five years’ time?
Mainly doing what we do now, I’ll be happy if we continue to stay at a similar level. Especially in these current uncertain times
What’s your team’s favourite biscuit?
One of Michelle’s homemade ginger biscuits or Cookies Hawdd (chewy, chocolate bi
