When May Liu, our Retail Director, visited Tacoma Design Company in Washington state, she didn’t just meet a customer — she met two passionate creators, Nicole Riso and Tammi Hilton, who built something extraordinary.
We were truly moved by what they are creating. Tacoma Design Company is more than a studio — it’s a space where local stories, event memories, and design ideas are turned into something people can hold, gift, or treasure. Whether it's souvenirs for gift shops and museums, or custom signage for celebrations, every product carries their signature: creativity, care, and community.
It’s amazing to see how a machine they now affectionately call “Big Bertha” became part of that journey.
Before working with artisJet, Nicole and Tammi were doing everything by hand — painting custom pieces one by one, managing a laser cutter, and working out of a tight studio. The designs were meaningful, but production was slow.
They needed more than a printer. They needed a way to bring their creativity to life faster, without compromising their artistry.
They met Bertha — their artis 3000U pro UV printer.
At first, she didn’t fit. Literally. Bertha was too big for their old studio. But instead of scaling down their vision, Tacoma Design did what creative entrepreneurs do best: they expanded.
- 💠Print vivid color and layered textures directly on acrylic, wood, and more
- 💠Bring custom orders to life within hours, not weeks
- 💠Combine UV printing and laser cutting for elevated design
- 💠Prototype, test, and produce — all in their own space
- 💠Scale from custom-only to wholesale-ready
| Impact Area | Before artisJet | With artisJet |
|---|---|---|
| Production Time | 1–2 weeks per item | 30 minutes per item |
| Orders | Hand-painted, custom-only | Scalable wholesale-ready products |
| Workspace | Small, crowded studio | Larger studio to house growth |
| Customer Reach | Local orders | Museums, gift shops, nationwide events |
| Creative Flexibility | Limited by manual work | Endless ideas, fast prototyping |
| Business Opportunities | Custom work only | Events, souvenirs, retail collections |
With Bertha’s help, Tacoma Design took on larger, more complex projects — including a major collaboration with a California-based event planner who now regularly orders themed signage and event décor.
What Nicole and Tammi have built is nothing short of inspiring — and it makes us proud to walk alongside them.
Stories like Tacoma Design Company’s remind us why we do what we do. artisJet technology gives businesses the tools — but it’s the people who turn it into something powerful.
- 💠Print directly on diverse materials: acrylic, wood, tiles, glass
- 💠Go from idea to prototype — same day
- 💠Add gloss, texture, and layered color for unique visual impact
- 💠Combine UV printing with lasers for stunning hybrid designs
- 💠Scale at your own pace: from custom to retail and events
Tacoma Design Company & Big Bertha didn’t just build a business - they became part of a community. Nicole and Tammi are not only creative entrepreneurs – we proudly announce they are now our artisJet Certified Sales Partner in the U.S. who believe in paying it forward.
Whether you’re looking for honest feedback, inspiration, or simply want to understand how artisJet can support your creative production, reaching out to Tacoma Designs is one of the best steps you can take. They’ve walked the path - from hand-painting to full-color UV, from a small studio to a spacious workshop, to now looking to bring a companion for Big Bertha in the form of artis 3000U pro with FREEBIRD technology - and they’re happy to share what they've learned.
Let’s celebrate ALL that’s possible, TOGETHER. 🎉
