Rep Your Rêve: Behind the Scenes with Portland Design Co. & Little Chair Printing

At Rêve, we love a little merch, repping Rêve as we bounce to and from the studio, run errands, and take our virtual meetings. This summer, as we were considering a few special pieces that could keep us cozy in these strange times, we wanted to do something a little different. Meghan C. set out to do a little research, on the hunt for local partners who could make our vision come to life. That’s when we connected with some incredible artisans, Hope Rovelto from Little Chair Printing and LK Weiss & Abby Towne from Portland Design Co. We had heard that both were great partners, but we had no way of knowing how amazing they would make the experience—they really listened as we gave them some ideas and worked their magic! Together, they took our idea and created some of our favorite Rêve pieces to date! We caught up with Hope and LK to chat a bit about their work, the challenges and opportunities of the last 9 months, and what they’re doing to spark joy!

First things first, tell us a little bit about your business!

LK (PDC): I founded Portland Design Co in 2010, while studying at Maine College of Art. Fellow classmate Abby Towne, who moved to Seattle after graduation, moved back to Maine and became a business partner at PDC in 2018. In 2019 we added Nicole Manganelli as a copy editor and junior designer. The power of collaboration is irreplaceable.

HR (LCP): The first time I ever walk into a t-shirt shop was in 2001 in Seattle. I asked if they were hiring, they were not.but I quickly looked around and volunteered to clean and just hang out to learn the process. I started getting paid that week and learned what I know today how to run a screen printing shop. Time passed, I received a Masters in Ceramics and did a lot of odd jobs. Then Little Chair printing started in 2013 in Philadelphia. I decided to quit a full time job to make it work. I realized it was a lot harder than I thought. I was an adjunct professor at 3 universities by day and printing by night. Working every day to keep my doors open for the past 8 years. I moved back to Portland Maine 3 years ago to really focus on my business and took a chance that the community will see what I am doing and support me. I have never lost what was the most important to me and my mission is to print for social justice and mentor youth aspiring artists/designers to create their own products. Screen printing has such a history of political protest/propaganda. I'm all about taking chances.

What do you consider to be your superpower?

HR: I allow people in my shop to use my equipment to print their own apparel. I'm a small, one person shop. I also host interns from local high schools to help me and learn the art. I'm really all about empowering others with skills to create their own products. I also have a bike with a t-shirt press on it where I go around town and states printing at events, schools and protests. (Which was hard this summer since everything got canceled, but I'm hoping next summer will be good.)

LKW: Our varied skill set, which enables us to adapt to almost any design need that may arise. We consciously take on really diverse types of work/clients like attorneys, restaurants, retail, outdoor/fitness, corporate, social justice - this enables our skills to remain flexible and not get stuck in one industry or another. While we mainly focus on logo and brand identity design, it’s always exciting when we have the opportunity to build out the full identity for a client’s brand — through color, illustrations, icons, infographics, etc.

Have you had to make any adjustments (either by choice or by force) over the last several months?

LKW: We haven’t been able to meet new clients in person, which was always a pillar to our method. Making that personal, human connection with a client is critical to building trust and a strong rapport to a long lasting relationship. Zoom has been a decent substitute but isn’t an equivalent replacement. We were extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to support our local communities through at least four COVID-related design initiatives in 2020.

HR: I have always seen my business to have 3 parts: wholesale, teaching, live event printing. When the pandemic hit, I watched as everything stopped. I couldn't give up, so I put a message out to the community to see if anyone wanted to collaborate—I could I host and print their designs. I had not done this before, but wanted to help others make money, since so many people were without work. This still is something that I'm still supporting and building. I have always tried to find good in everything, There is one thing as an artist/ part time work aka hustler, I thrive in the uncertainty. I also applied for a small business loan, which I have always been afraid to, but had to know that I could pay my rent. It's a bit of a risk, and still pretty scary applying for a loan and really hoping that it gets forgiven.

What are some other local businesses that you love?

HR: Where do I start? I have been able to print for so many other local businesses. Rêve for sure. Ada's, Dos Naciones (great food), Mad Patti Hat Co., Original Maine, Plant Office, Portland Design Co., Bayside Bowl, Maine Inside Out, Bombdiggity Space gallery, Pickwick Independent Press, Jewel Box, Abraxas, Elle Darcy

LKW: Print Book Store, Sherman’s Book Store, Rêve(!), Blaze Partners, Better Letter Hand Painted Signs, Elle Darcy Photography, Sarah Madeira Day, Shop Tachee, Little Chair Printing, Pickwick Press, LB Kitchen, Heart & Mane, and Geared Strength (author’s note: us, too! we heart you, Tennyson!).

What are some things you've been doing to spark joy?

LKW: Dog walking, hiking and biking, and anything else we can do outside before it becomes a frozen tundra out there. We also both like to cook and are always sharing vegan and gluten free recipes, and spend a lot of time chatting about food and our collective rescue dogs. 

HR: I love bowling, So I have been part of the league at Bayside. Running, and now the chance to ski. Bring creative outside of the print studio. Putting together my radio show every week for WMPG. Cooking and eating great food. Trying to find the good in people and the world. Helping others really sparks joy for me.

Check out these incredible businesses for all of your design and printing needs. We cannot say enough about what incredible partners they were in hearing what we were looking for and bringing it to reality.