Childers based business Printing with a Difference has received a welcome boost of funding to expand its services.
Set-up by Integrated Disability Support Services (IDSS) in March 2021, Printing with a Difference provides sublimination printing services for a range of products, while also offering employment and training to people living with a disability.
Its expansion comes after having been awarded a Social Enterprise Growth Grant from the Queensland Government.
IDSS HR Support Officer Jamie McGraw said the organisation started Printing with a Difference to offer a different type of employment opportunity to their other enterprises.
“We had The Deli on Targo Street, Bundaberg and the Winky Wonky Dog Wash on the Sunshine Coast, but we wanted something tailored for Childers and to give employment opportunities to the creatives among us,” Jamie said.
Graphic Designer Reilly Wharton started as a volunteer, and Jamie said they loved Reilly’s work so much that he was put on as an employee.
Working alongside Reilly and Participant Liaison Officer Deb Noy, Kathryn Ellison in sales and marketing said the best part of their job was the variety and the scope for creativity.
“I think because it's probably so diverse and you deal with people from all areas, which is fabulous,” Kathryn said.
“The other thing too is the limitlessness of being able to create things and individual stuff for people.”
The organisation has used the $9,900 grant to fund a new graphic design computer and printing equipment which has allowed them to increase the variety of products they can print on, and therefore expand their customer base.
“We are based in Childers and love to support local, but we can provide services to customers anywhere in Australia,” Jamie said.
“We've had everyone from a country music singer print her image on stubby coolers for the Gympie Music Muster to the owner of a garden nursery using us to promote their business.
“It's exciting to see the variety of products our sublimination printing is appearing on now – but the most important and satisfying feeling is that we are providing workplace training and sustainable employment opportunities to people with a disability.”
He said IDSS was committed to increasing awareness of Printing with a Difference and employment opportunities for people with a disability in the Childers community.
“We are open to people coming along and doing work experience or volunteer placements with us,” Jamie said.
“You never know, there may even be a paid job in the future.”
