Nov 19, 2012 2 min read

A San Diego company that offers local companies imprint services for promotional items such as pens, mugs and T-shirts is looking to make a big impression on Washington and Greene counties.

Instant Imprints could bring as many as five of its franchise operations to the area over the months ahead, said spokesman Jason Gilbreth.

Instant Imprints’ centers are retail shops offering one-stop promotional centers that offer screen printing, embroidery, wide-format printing, heat transfers, printing and promotional products.

The company is headed by Ralph Askar, who previously led MailBoxes Etc. and UPS Stores from their beginnings to a global presence.

“Now, he’s doing this with Instant Imprints, and Pennsylvania is an important part of the planned growth,” Gilbreth said.

The company’s aggressive expansion into the area comes as the brand has achieved successes regionally and nationally, including a growing presence in the Philadelphia area.

Gilbreth said the company seeks locations as in-line stores in shopping centers, retail outlets and strip malls.

“They’re often run by a husband-wife team, have a manager and up to five employees,” he said, adding that the stores’ target customer is a small business owner who wants promotional items for advertising a local business.

While Washington and Greene counties are being targeted for Instant Imprints’ expansion, Gilbreth said it will eventually move to encompass all of Western Pennsylvania.

“The Pittsburgh region is on their radar,” he said.