A Lasting Impression: The Print Shop
Before retail, Tess Smith, owner of The Print Shop, was a photographer. She photographed everything from weddings, seniors, families, corporate events and even Justin Timberlake once for a corporate client.
Smith said photography taught her to not just see things, but feel them. Being behind the lens, she felt connected with people on a deeper, more meaningful level. That has translated into her view on retail.
“I’ve learned that helping someone find the perfect gift is exactly the same way,” she said. “There are real emotions in that process — grief, celebration, love, gratitude — and honestly, working through all of that with my customers is one of my favorite parts of this job.”
FROM PHOTO TO PRINT
The Print Shop opened in Bay Village, Ohio, in November 2020 — in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everyone thought I was out of my mind. But honestly, looking back, it made perfect sense.” In 2025, The Print Shop expanded with a second location in neighboring suburb Westlake, Ohio.
When Smith found the space for the Bay Village shop, she learned that the building had been a printing press for decades.
“Ink and paper had rolled through those walls for more than 30 years,” she said. “Here I was — a photographer, someone who had built a career around images captured on film and pressed onto paper — standing in a building with that exact history.”
Thus, naming it The Print Shop was an easy decision. It honored the building’s roots, Smith’s personal creative path and captured what she believes: “that the beautiful things we bring into our lives leave a lasting impression.
“The Print Shop isn’t just retail. It’s an experience,” she said. “And my mission is to make sure that experience leaves an impression — a print, if you will.”
SHIFTING ENERGY
Over time, The Print Shop evolved from merely a gift and home shop into something much more layered.
“We’re known for gifts that feel intentional — things that hold a story, things you can’t find at a big-box store,” Smith said, adding that its Voluspa Volcano candles and Nodpod Weighted Sleep Masks are consistent bestsellers.
Adding clothing was a turning point for The Print Shop. The majority of customers coming into both locations are shopping for friends and family — but since adding clothing, there has been a shift toward personal shopping as well.
“Women are starting to buy for themselves, which tells me they trust us with more than just their gift list,” she said. “That means everything to me. I’m thrilled to be able to continuously show up for my customers.”
Clothing has become a major focus and is growing fast at both locations.
“That shift changed the energy of the store in the best way,” she said. “We’ve also honed in on the intentions of the brands we carry.” Everything is curated by Smith. If she wouldn’t wear it, carry it or give it to someone she loves, it doesn’t make it onto the shelves.
“As we’ve grown, that standard has actually gotten more strict, not less,” Smith said. “It’s less about just selling products now and more about creating a lifestyle people want to be part of.”
Smith sees great success across the brands the shop carries from Poppy & Pout lip balms and Finchberry hand lotions to Printfresh robes. Some of her personal favorites include Sol and Selene’s new bag collection, MANDRN’s leather crossbody bags, Margot Elena’s bubble bath products and Everlasting Candles.
“All of our products are fairly successful,” she said. “I fully believe it’s because I love the products I carry.”
One of the most significant shifts Smith has seen amongst shoppers lies in sympathy gifting. Customers specifically come into The Print Shop looking for gifts for friends or loved ones who are grieving, going through a sudden illness or navigating a hardship.
“It’s not a small trend — it’s consistent enough that I’ve started intentionally purchasing items around comfort and relaxation to meet that need,” she said. “People want to show up for the people they love in a tangible way, and they’re looking for something more meaningful than a flower arrangement.”
What makes The Print Shop so unique to Smith is that everything is chosen with so much care — from the products on its shelves to the people behind the counter.
“At the end of the day, I just want people to walk away feeling inspired, welcomed and excited about what they’ve found,” she said.
She hopes every person who walks through The Print Shop’s doors doesn’t just find something, but feels something. Smith said customers are thoughtful, value quality over quantity and genuinely want the people in their life to feel loved.
“Our customer isn’t shopping to check a box — they are shopping because they care, and they want what they give and what they wear to say something meaningful,” she said.
BUILDING WITH INTENTION
At the heart of it all, Smith aims to uplift others and create something that encourages people to do the same in their own lives. To her, opening during a pandemic wasn’t by chance — it was an intentional decision to build something beautiful and bright during a time that felt incredibly heavy.
“The Print Shop started as this tiny beacon of light, and watching that light grow brighter over time has been one of the most meaningful parts of the journey,” she said.
Community means everything to The Print Shop. Smith and her husband own a coffee shop and restaurant in addition to the two retail locations in and around their hometown. With five children, they are constantly at their schools, fundraisers and other events while donating to school programs and community causes. The couple is also actively working with the city’s mayor and city hall to bring meaningful events to the area.
“We didn’t open these businesses to extract from our community,” she said. “We opened them to be part of it.”
Growing its online presence is The Print Shop’s immediate priority, starting with the launch of its website at the beginning of this year. Smith personally built the website — from the photography of most products to writing the descriptions to match the shop’s brand voice.
Beyond that, Smith said she has always had an eye on a private label, which feels like the natural next step for a brand with a strong point of view. She’s not looking for a third location right now but also learned never to say never.
“Mostly I stay open — open to new brands, new experiences, new ideas, new directions,” she said. “The Print Shop didn’t come from a business plan. It came from following something that felt intentional, and I intend to keep doing exactly that. Building with intention and trusting my gut.
