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First North American HP Stitch S1000 to Serve Professional Photographers

When you think about digital textile printers and where they might be installed, your first thought isn’t a photo lab. But that’s exactly where the first North American HP Stitch S1000 production model went. Senior Editor Cary Sherburne spoke with Mark Lane, co-owner of American Color Imaging (ACI), to learn how this printer will fit into its overall business model.

Monday, October 14, 2019

In 1967, professional photographer Don Lohnes, whose main focus was portrait photography, was frustrated that he could not find the quality he was looking for in color photo labs and retouching of color photos. As a result, he founded American Professional Color as a wet photo lab and ultimately sold his photo studio to focus on this new venture.

Today the company is known as American Color Imaging (ACI) and is owned and operated by Don’s daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mark Lane. The company primarily provides trade services to professional photographers. I was quite interested to see that the Lanes provided a home for the first North American production version of the HP Stitch S1000 digital textile printer and connected with Mark Lane to understand the drivers behind what, on the surface, seemed to be an unusual acquisition.

Mark and Lisa Lane next to their new HP Stitch S1000.


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About Cary Sherburne

Cary Sherburne is a well-known author, journalist and marketing consultant whose practice is focused on marketing communications strategies for the printing and publishing industries.

Cary Sherburne is available for speaking engagements and consulting projects. To get more information contact us.

Please offer your feedback to Cary. She can be reached at [email protected].

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