Mercer Fresh Prints changes the game

“Shirt just got real.” 

No, really. That’s the slogan for Mercer’s newest apparel distributor, Mercer Fresh Prints. Step aside Custom Ink, move along Clip Art, there’s a new apparel company in town. 

Fresh Prints is a custom apparel company that was founded in 2009 by two sophomores in college who wanted to remove the corporate middleman when it comes to custom apparel for student-run clubs and organizations. They have one goal, and one goal only: to get shirt done. 

The company works by selecting campus managers and providing these college students with resources to run businesses on their campus. One of these campus managers is none other than Mercer’s own Casey Colquitt. 

Colquitt, a rising junior, is a Fresh Prints Campus Manager majoring in marketing.

“What really drew me to applying was the energy and culture of the company,” she said. “It is such a motivating environment, and I’m even regularly in contact with our co-presidents about what’s going on with our campus.”

Fresh Prints doesn’t consider their campus managers to be “representatives” — instead, they consider them to be entrepreneurs. 

“Being in organizations on campus, I’ve worked with a good amount of great apparel brands. I was always confused on the process of everything: from proofs, stock levels, invoices and printing,” Colquitt said. “I know how much more efficient it would have been if someone was there to help make my ideas come to life, and now I have the opportunity to be that person for other people.”

The company allows campus managers to build their own custom apparel business, create their own hours and earn from the commission. 

“I think it’s easy to see a business as a very materialistic and not personable environment, which is something that has scared me,” the marketing major said. “I’ve found with Fresh Prints that I can help people and also incorporate my love for marketing and networking into one.”

Colquitt said she is excited to take what she learns this year in her courses here at Mercer and apply them to her business with Fresh Prints. Her long-term goal is to establish close relationships with her clients and ensure organizations are getting the best products and designs for their money. 

“I really value trustworthy and personal relationships, and that’s been the easiest part of getting this started,” she said. “I’m super close with my bosses, but I’m also always in contact with my clients as friends, students and business partners.”