A Good Sign
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Monica Bencomo
Tami Abts, owner of A Good Sign printing shop is deeply rooted in Albuquerque’s creative community. It’s evident immediately as you walk into the shop and see all the framed prints of local artists on display (printed at A Good Sign of course) and for sale throughout the space. On my recent visit, the shop was bustling with activity as they were making prints for the next “We Are This City” city-wide art exhibition, printing programs for the 2019 Tricklock Revolutions International Theater Festival (of which they are also sponsoring), and working on promotional items for a “top secret” Netflix project.
Tami was working in the printing industry for 10 years when she decided to open her own business, and in 2009 A Good Sign was born. Originally located in Wells Park near Tractor Brewing Company, Tami decided to move to their new location at the old Sanitary Tortilla Factory on 2nd and Lead 3 years ago after her good friend Sheri purchased the building. She loves the new location (specifically the addition of windows) as well as the growth of the area.
A Good Sign’s business comes from local artist reproductions as well as printing for big named local companies such as Blake’s Lotaburger and HB Construction, but their bread and butter is the movie industry. Tami stumbled upon the movie industry by happenstance when a friend of hers, who works in the movies as a set director, asked her if she could print some items for a few projects he was working on. Then, suddenly to her surprise, they started getting contacted by other movie industry professionals for their printing needs. Now half of her business comes from set and prop printing for the film industry.
A Good Sign offers in house, large-format printing, signs, stickers, decals, etc. When asked what her favorite part of owning a print shop is, Tami said, “I love that everyday feels like craft day”. She also loves to see their work on the big screen. “When I see my prints, I think, ooh! I printed that!” In the end she loves making products that people are happy to pay for and she feels satisfaction when someone tells her the reproduction looks even better than the original. If you’re looking for printing services, A Good Sign offers quality production with top-notch customer service and competitive pricing. No job is too big or too small for them. Find them on Facebook or on their website www.agoodsignabq.com.
Incidentally, they are also working another “top secret” film project that they are unable to disclose information on. I guess we’ll just have to wait until it’s on the big screen!
“Vecinos” is a Homewise blog series dedicated to getting to know the neighborhood businesses and organizations in the Barelas neighborhood and surrounding our Homeownership Center and Orpheum Community Hub.
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