Platinum Ink opens in Vernon

By Viktoria-Leigh Wagner
VERNON — A "one stop shop" is what William DeLoi, 29, calls his family-run business, Platinum Ink, located at 294 Rt. 94 in Vernon.

DeLoi first started the print shop in 2005 as a “high quality screen printing and embroidery service.” He opened the first walk-in store front this past April.

“I love working and dealing with people,” said DeLoi.

DeLoi attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut for graphics and interactive digital design, and minored in fine arts.

“I had originally wanted to go into school for culinary,” he says. “But with web design, you can represent yourself in a different way.”

He began his business career post-graduation. The most difficult task in the beginning was “all of the little things to worry about.”

DeLoi currently owns three other businesses; an online web design business called BlueFrog Studios, an online sticker-printing business, StickerSteeze, and a clothing business, True Feel Clothing.

“I actually proposed to my wife on a t-shirt,” said DeLoi, who learned how to operate printing machines on YouTube. Before making an investment on the actual printing presses, DeLoi said went to trade shows and spent countless nights at Barnes & Noble reading before purchasing the equipment.

“I fell out of love with the web and into love with physical art, like graphic and canvas art, which is more gratifying media to produce,” said DeLoi. “I originally had other businesses screen-print art that I designed, but it was frustrating because I was limited. This slowed me down.”

DeLoi is also passionate about photography and has shot concerts for bands like Paramore, Neon Trees and Jimmy Eat World.

“I love photography, and it’s cool to meet with people in the art and music field,” he said.

DeLoi says, “It’s fun for me when people come in, because I am able to guide them in the right direction. We don’t charge screen or art fees. Everything I used to hate about screening companies we eliminated in Platinum Ink.”

Recently, Platinum Ink sponsored the Vernon versus Jefferson lacrosse game through Mugs Media.

“We also did shirts for a Viacom representative,” said DeLoi. “Sarah Ray came and asked us to replica a design on 96 shirts. We only had a couple of days, but in the end, we got all 96 out and finished in one day.”

For DeLoi, a big draw to the work is never knowing what sort of job he'll be doing next.

“It’s different every day. I don’t know who’s going to walk through the door. My biggest flaw is I turn nothing down — I love a challenge,” said DeLoi. “I work until six, then go fishing. If I had to work late, I’d never call it ‘working.’ I enjoy it.”