By: Kathryn Fenstermacher

“Here’s my idea . . . . Can you guys do that?”

At ADM Custom Creations, the answer is a resounding, “Yes, we can!”

“You imagine, we create” is the fitting tagline of ADM Custom Creations, a combination gift shop, print shop, and graphic design studio that has created thousands of custom projects for local individuals, businesses, and organizations. ADM carved out their niche in the community by pairing a vast variety of products with one-on-one customer service and major small-town vibes. “We think we offer a truly unique opportunity for people to get stuff that they wouldn’t get anywhere else,” founder and CEO Al Johnson said.

Johnson moved to the area from Michigan in 1987. Over the years, he worked for Citizens Bank, local school administration, and the county sheriff’s office. His plan for retirement was to pursue his lifelong passion for woodworking. So what led him to branch out into a full-service printing and promotional shop? “Serendipity,” he said.

In a lot of ways, it was Johnson’s accumulation of equipment that paved the way for his venture that is now ADM. Johnson first purchased a computerized wood lathe for his shop, and his mental wheels started turning when a friend asked whether he could make custom key rings. Johnson knew that a laser cutter was the best machine for this sort of job. Just a few months later, he and his son, Dan, were headed to southern Michigan to pick one up. 

From there, Johnson branched out into sublimation, which prints by injecting color into nearly any material, from mugs to blankets to plaques. Johnson bought a sublimation press and printer from a major manufacturer in Columbus, and “it simply snowballed from there,” he said.

This is no exaggeration. ADM currently offers over 1.5 million different products, and they have all the equipment in-house to handle advanced processes like sublimation, laser cutting/engraving, full-color and UV printing, vinyl, electronic signs, and more. With so much variety available, their strength lies in offering customized products that are totally unique. 

Most online printing companies require a minimum order of 100 or more, but at ADM, you can order one item and make it exactly how you want. This is Johnson’s favorite part of the job – “the fun part,” he said. “We want [to create] something, when they walk out of here, that they can’t get from a big box store.”

“It’s a keepsake that they cherish,” added Johnson’s colleague, Anna Norris. “It means something to someone.”

ADM opened in November 2014. Their first location was the “old meat market” in Hartford City. They moved downtown to their current location a few years later to better accommodate a gift shop environment, starting in one half of the building and gradually expanding into the whole space.

Norris joined the team seven years ago, bringing a boost of enthusiasm and an artist’s eye, Johnson said. Her knack for design and attention to detail mean every project that comes through the door gets personal consideration. Norris has broadly taken over the role of designer for ADM, allowing Johnson to focus on other aspects of the business.

So what has this dynamic duo been working on recently? Printing business cards. Customizing mugs. Restoring old photographs. Replacing signs. Inscribing scrimshaw on a powderhorn. ADM was recently approved to coordinate all the design work for an out-of-county nature center, from concept to application. “There’s really not a typical day,” Johnson said.

“It could be as simple as a couple copies, or something as intricate as a nature center or electronic sign,” Norris added. “There’s not much we can’t do.”

Small quantities and single item orders are ADM’s specialty – they’re not interested in producing huge volumes, like many online retailers. It’s a small team with a family environment, quite literally: Al, Dan, and Dan’s father-in-law, Mike, make up the “A,” “D” and “M” in the company initials. Norris’ daughter, Sydney, also helps out around the office. 

Custom orders are generally completed within two weeks, and each job is designed from scratch. With rare exception, ADM charges no setup or design fees. There are no shipping charges involved, and customers have the convenience of stopping in to see how their project is progressing. 

ADM also fills the void for local printing services. Ever since Printers Express went out of business, the demand for printing shifted to ADM, which has helped them connect with more business clients in town, Johnson said. They do a lot of work with the school system and local government, in addition to individual customers both inside and outside the county. Johnson said that they’ve served customers from 38 states. “We never advertised to a large degree, so our base has grown tremendously,” he said. 

There’s nothing Johnson finds more gratifying than working with other businesses and organizations in the local community. ADM recently replaced the signs for the Hartford City Building and the Montpelier Public Library. They’ve designed marketing pieces for new businesses in town and uniforms for youth sports.

Since moving downton, Johnson has seen an attitude of neighborliness fostered among local businesses. He has enjoyed seeing the storefronts filled with “niche businesses that give a neat flavor,” he said. “The people running them are not just focused on . . . their businesses, they understand that the way we all prosper is by working together.”

“One thing I’m really excited about is . . . the interest of the local organizations to keep the money in Blackford County has become very much of a focal point,” Johnson said. “We’re your neighbors, we all know each other, we’re all in this together.”

ADM Custom Creations is located at 223 W Washington St in Hartford City. You can learn more about the products and services they offer by visiting their website or Facebook page, or by calling (765) 348-4753.