Today we’d like to introduce you to Misti McMain.
Hi Misti, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t wake up one day and randomly decide to start a print shop, it was a build-up of experience, grit, and realizing I wanted to do things differently.
I spent years learning the production side of printing and custom work: what it takes to hit deadlines, keep quality consistent, troubleshoot problems fast, and still make the customer feel taken care of. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just passionate about printing, I loved helping people bring an idea to life and making sure it looked professional in the real world. That could be a small business trying to look established, a local organization needing signage, or a family wanting something meaningful made well.
Eventually, I reached the point where I knew I wanted to bet on myself. I started MainDesign Print Co. in the Texas Hill Country and built it around two things: high standards and personal service. I’m hands-on with every job, from the first conversation to the proof approval to the final product, because I care about the details and because I’ve seen how much trust matters when someone is spending money on something that represents their brand.
Being in my first year of business has been a crash course in everything beyond the equipment: pricing, systems, marketing, client relationships, and learning how to grow without losing quality. I’ve had to be scrappy, resourceful, and brave even when it’s uncomfortable. But the best part is seeing repeat customers and referrals roll in, because that tells me the foundation is working.
Today, MainDesign Print Co. serves businesses and communities in and around Dripping Springs and Blanco with custom printing, signage, and branded merchandise. I’m still building, but I’m building it the right way one great job at a time, with a reputation that speaks louder than any ad.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road but I’ve learned a lot fast because of it.
One of the biggest challenges was simply launching and growing while wearing every hat at once: production, customer service, pricing, purchasing, marketing, bookkeeping and still making sure the quality stays high. In a print business, one small mistake can cost time and materials, so learning to build systems and checklists early has been huge.
Another challenge has been educating customers on what goes into custom work. People often don’t realize the difference between “quick and cheap” and “done right,” so I’ve had to get comfortable explaining timelines, proofs, and why certain materials or processes matter.
And honestly, there’s also the mental side betting on yourself, staying consistent when things are unpredictable, and building confidence before you feel ready. But those struggles have shaped the business in a good way. They’ve pushed me to tighten my processes, communicate more clearly, and build a reputation around being dependable, flexible, and willing to take on the specialty jobs other shops won’t.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
MainDesign Print Co. is a brick and mortar print shop in Dripping Springs built for the way small towns actually work: relationships first, quality always, and a place you can walk into and feel taken care of. We serve local businesses, builders, schools, organizations, artists, and families across the Hill Country Dripping Springs, Blanco, and the surrounding communities.
We handle the everyday pieces people rely on to show up professionally business cards, flyers, signage, apparel, and large-format prints and we’re also a go to spot for blueprints and construction plans for contractors and designers who need things done right and on time. But what we’re most known for is the stuff many places won’t touch unless it’s a large quantity order. I specialize in small run, specialty projects and helping customers figure out the best way to produce something when they’ve been told “no” elsewhere.
Along with printing, we offer practical in shop services that make life easier for local businesses and residents, like laser engraving, spiral binding, and document shredding. And one of my favorite parts of the business is working with local artists helping them print their work in a way that honors the details, the colors, and the story behind it.
What sets MainDesign apart is the combination of high standards and small town personal service. I’m hands on with projects from proof to final product, I communicate clearly, and I genuinely care about getting it right because in a community like this, your reputation matters and word travels fast (usually before your coffee cools). Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built in a short time through repeat customers, referrals, and being a dependable partner for people who are building something of their own.
If readers take one thing away, I hope it’s this: MainDesign Print Co. exists to support the community whether you need a simple reorder or a one of a kind specialty job, I’m here to help you create something you’re proud to put your name on.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of support behind the scenes, and MainDesign wouldn’t be where it is without it. First, I have to credit my early customers especially the local businesses, contractors, and artists who trusted a brand new shop with important projects. When you’re building something from the ground up, that kind of trust is everything, and word of mouth referrals have played a huge role in helping the business grow.
I also want to recognize the Dripping Springs and Hill Country community as a whole. This area is full of people who genuinely want to see small businesses succeed people who share posts, send a friend your way, give honest feedback, and encourage you when you’re tired and still figuring things out.
On a personal level, I’m especially grateful for the people closest to me who have been my steady support system. One moment that really stands out was when my son came to the shop to help me program a new business card cutter I had been struggling with. We stayed until nearly 3 a.m., working through alignments and calibrations until the cut was finally right. Even knowing he had a long drive home, he was determined to see it through. That kind of support showing up, staying late, and believing in what I’m building meant the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maindesignprintco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maindesignprintco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MainDesignPrintCo
