Altr has Customized Printing All Buttoned Up

Alexandra Gramatikas’s business started with a winning idea.  While attending University of Central Florida’s (UCF’s) MBA program, Alex entered her business plan for custom printed button covers in UCF’s entrepreneur competition, and took first place.

As part of her award, Alex’s company, Altr, received a space in the university’s “incubator.” Soon, Alex moved Altr’s production in-house with the purchase of a Roland DG VersaUV LEF-series bechtop UV printer. “We saw the LEF perform at SGIA– it was doing the same thing as printers that cost a lot more money." 

“The quality is amazing...we’ve even printed the Mona Lisa on them– the detail is phenomenal”

Game-Changing Technology

“The LEF has been a game changer for us,” said Alex.  “We completely revamped our business model. Now we can do one box or hundreds, and, in most cases, send out our orders the same day.” 

Altr’s office space measures a cozy 14 feet x 10 feet, so the LEF’s compact size is a plus, as is the fact that the printer does not require a clean room. 

Altr runs an online store through its website, madetoaltr.com. Clients can also send in their own artwork, or review possibilities on zazzle.com. 

One-Offs to Full Production Runs

Altr’s custom button covers come in sets of four large or six small covers. Altr’s corporate clients request logos to be worn as button covers or lapel pins. Alex said, “Our selection is basically unlimited.  If I see a pattern or design I like, we use our template and just hit ‘Print.’” 

Alex uses a jig to place 297 small covers, or 115 large ones, in the printer at one time.  “The quality is amazing.  Our small button covers measure only .6 inches, and we’ve even printed the Mona Lisa on them– the detail is phenomenal,“ said Alex.

Alex uses Altr’s blog to share what she has learned.  “We are constantly looking for ways to help people express themselves,” she said.