We recently connected with Sarah McCoy and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
I have been working at earning a full-time living from my small business. To start at the beginning, I studied graphic design in undergraduate school and graduate school both at The University of Iowa. Between undergraduate and graduate school I worked full-time as a graphic designer in a corporate design group at a hardware/software company in Austin, Texas. Working as a designer full-time prompted me to explore graduate school (since I found I enjoyed talking about design and design decisions with my fellow designers), which led me to pursue graduate school. One of the first courses I took was Introduction to Letterpress Printing. Besides expanding my design knowledge, I was really interested in merging design, with physicality of letterpress and the serendipitous moments that come on press. It was a slow procession from learning letterpress to setting up a design and letterpress studio. In 2006, after graduate school I took an academic position as an assistant professor of graphic design at Drake University. I also bought my first press, filed small business paperwork and began printing mainly for friends and family to I continue developing my printing skills. I basically worked out of my home studio from 2006 to 2015 (9 years!) doing events and pops-ups. Then in 2015 I moved into a downtown studio space in Des Moines, Iowa. I built my clients and studio from 2015-2021 with quite a bit of success and great projects.
I worked hard and adapted during COVID shut down, but foot traffic to the shop had decreased. I also found I had a genetic hip problem and I was going to have a major hip surgery during the summer of 2021, which meant I would not be able to print for at least 4-6 months. So with my lease up, in 2021 I moved my studio back home. It was a humbling experience but I also knew it was for the best. Maybe I wouldn’t heal well, maybe it would be longer, and the stress of large rent and paying part-time help was just too much. I moved my studio home.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I run my own graphic design and letterpress studio. I print on vintage presses. My background in corporate design as well as over 25 years of working and teaching graphic design, I know a thing or two about translating digital designs into awesome letterpress work. And, after having worked with some larger brands like PaperChase (UK), PaperSource, USC Office of Development and Madsen Cycles, I’ve leaned into and developed more unique merch design. I really have fun thinking about ways to extend someone’s brand in print, design and apparel besides social media.
One of the things I’d like potential clients to know is that I really do put my all into projects. I work really hard to determine the most cost effective way of producing as well as go far and wide to source unique paper and products to get a really nice end product. I had someone once remark to me (they had called to get some info) and the job turned out not to be quite the right fit for what I do, but I knew of a vendor that would be a perfect fit. They called me back awhile later to let me know that they thought it was amazing that I was forthright about what I could and couldn’t do, willing to help and sourced for them a solution. I really like helping people get what they need and I really love it when it is with my own design and printing. I really am a creative problem-solver .
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think just being honest about my skills and not taking on work that wasn’t the right fit. Also, being genuine, resourceful and super honest about what we could do at different price points and then sticking to that. Over communicating on deadline and budgets, not assuming anything about a client or their response.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding sure isn’t pay. You have to work really hard and be resourceful, but at the same time, my days are different depending on projects and I have time to take a short break and go on walk or pause to be with my teen kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: thepermanentcollection.net or thepermanentcollectiondesign.com
- Instagram: @thepcpress
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepcpress
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mccoy-a4a78a12/
Image Credits
Photographer Lucas Leeland