By Melissa Donovan
Traditional label converters look to digital to complement their existing flexography capabilities. Beyond that realm of label creators, another comes into the mix—small business—thanks to digital. RNK Innovations began in 2003 after Narmin Parpia, founder, RNK, was laid off from her engineering job. She wrote a book and developed various marketing materials to accompany it. Finding success through mainstream media, RNK Innovation developed into a retailer, wholesaler, distributor, and drop shipper of baby and children’s products.
Today, the Pearland, TX-based company has four major brands—Potty Scotty, Potty Patty, Baby Milano, and RNK Shops. These rely on a Roland DGA Corporation VersaStudio 20-inch BN-20 desktop inkjet printer/cutter. Items such as sippy cups with graphics printed and cut on the BN-20 are part of the portfolio in addition to personalized clothing and nursery wall letters.
“That first move into personalization really opened up the personalized market for us. The graphics are easy to print and cut and clients love being able to get exactly what they want on their products,” shares Parpia.
A staff of five work out of a 7,200 square foot facility to produce and ship orders. Customers primarily order online, choosing designs that Parpia created, selecting colors—up to 45 colors are options for each design—and then personalizing with a name, initial, or monogram.
RNK recently expanded to include personalized products for the home including bathroom accessories, lampshades, tissue boxes, wall graphics, nightlights, and drinkware. At press time it offered around 150 personalized products and anticipates having 250 by the end of 2015. “With the BN-20, we can easily produce exciting, affordable new looks for home décor. It prints and cuts new options for our clients every day,” concludes Parpia. dps
