Custom Dies Support Decades of Passion and Creativity for SuhreDesigns

ABOUT SUHREDESIGNS

“My journey doesn’t follow only one path,” Christine “Chris” Suhre began. “[But] it goes back a long time.” In fact, Chris’s creative journey began in 1999 when her family relocated from California to New York.

“Having come from an Art/Graphics position at a major retail store in California, I decided that my move to New York was going to be ‘fun’ and challenging,” Chris continued. “I had heard about a die cutting system from somewhere – I cannot remember where – and purchased my first AccuCut die-cutting machine, the GrandeMark 2, and an assortment of dies soon after we hit the New York soil. I had no idea what I was going to do with it.” Yet, soon, Chris would find a great use for it.

Chris found herself decorating cookies for a local deli after settling into her New York home. Her decorated cookies quickly became popular and found a new name: ArtGirlCookies. By 2004, ArtGirlCookies were well-known in New York City, but they were not as distinguished as Chris wanted.

“I wanted something that would make my packaged cookies recognizable right off the bat,” Chris explained. Creating tags for them was her first idea, allowing for each of her cookie decoration designs to be named. However, the dilemma with this solution was that her designs changed on a whim, so she needed to be able to change the tags as well.

Finally, her GrandeMark 2 had its purpose. She found an AccuCut die that could cut out 12 tags per 8 1/2” x 11” sheet, created a sheet of graphics on her computer, lined up the images on a template, printed them out and cut large quantities of tags in a single pass through the machine. Chris’s tags for her decorated cookies were a hit, business soared and Chris gave a lot of the credit to her GrandeMark 2 die-cutting machine.

“Anyone going into a business where multiples of the same shapes are required that would make quality control less of an issue, this [die-cutting machine] is a Godsend,” Chris said. “I wouldn’t hesitate to advise anyone to invest in the GrandeMark 2, the only machine I think will do most everything you need and stand up over many years. The investment is well worth it.”

CHALLENGE

As time went on, Chris moved on from her successful cookie decorating business to pursue other creative endeavors. She wanted to use her GrandeMark 2 for other creative purposes where she could sell personalized cards and watercolor graphics on a more individual basis under a new business, SuhreDesigns.

SOLUTION

After some research, Chris discovered that AccuCut had a sister company, Custom Shape Pros, that could create any custom die she wanted, including ones that could perfectly cut her watercolor designs, packaging and note cards. Once she had her custom-made steel rule dies for these projects as well as others, Chris’s designs became even more in demand thanks to a Facebook page she had created with a good friend.

“We invited Artists [to the Facebook page] to show what they do, how they do it and answer questions on any subject having to do with Art,” Chris stated. “I love sharing ideas and giving advice if I think it is pertinent. Through word of mouth, people became interested in the die cuts I was creating for my own pleasure, and so now, I sell many of the cutouts I have designed. One of the first dies I had [created with Custom Shape Pros] that had nothing to do with cookies was the Christmas Cracker that could work. Later on, I designed a Christmas Cracker that was only a card, but could open [by] pulling it apart like a regular cracker, with the actual cracker piece included.”

Chris also has other popular products that she sells, including Christmas tags, postcards, easels and envelopes, all of which she makes using watercolor paper and custom dies from Custom Shape Pros. 

“I also offer different shapes, creating them in watercolor paper for any Artist to paint their own tags or cards,” Chris added. “Making your own gift tags with your own painting or decoration on them [can] make them become heirloom-quality that are easy to store, unbreakable and not overly heavy to attach to a holiday tree. [These] blank tags for people to paint, date and write a sentiment on – that’s what I think [the holidays are] all about.”

After years of following through with her creative visions, Chris attributed much of her success to her AccuCut GrandeMark 2 die-cutting machine and custom dies from Custom Shape Pros:

“Custom dies helped me create the ideas I could picture in my mind. For any creative person who wishes to develop an idea, it is wonderful to have a place to get something individually [and professionally] created…for a price that won’t break your business monetarily. Consider how much time and quality of [your] product is important to [your] business. Bottom line: you have to invest in good, dependable machinery to be successful.”

More customer success stories: Creative Arts

Company
SuhreDesigns

Location
Los Angeles, California, USA

Customer Since
1999

Die-Cutting Machine
GrandeMARK 2 Die-Cutting Machine

Custom Die Type
Standard Steel-Rule Dies

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