Mabel woman serves community through graphic design

Communicating a message through visual content is the essence of graphic design. Eye-catching event posters, elegant wedding invitations and promotional business cards are just a few of the many ways graphic design serves individuals and business owners.

JWS Graphix is a new business started by veteran graphic designer Janet Sanden and is operated by her and her husband Danny out of their home in Mabel, Minn.  Sanden started her graphic design career after her children graduated.  For three years she attended Western Wisconsin Technical College, and in 2000 she graduated with an Applied Science Degree in Commercial Art and Printing and Publishing.

“My interest in art started in grade school and throughout high school,” says Sanden.  “I enjoyed pencil and chalk renderings. That is why I chose to return to school in the art field.  Being a graphic designer allows me to be creative.”

As an award winning graphic designer, she spent the next 19 years working and gaining valuable experience at Kelly Printing.

“My goal after acquiring some work experience was to start my own business in Mabel,” stated Sanden, who has lived in Mabel for 55 years and is an active member of the Mabel community.  In November of 2019, JWS Graphix was born.  With the help of her husband and her brother and sister, the sunroom in their home was turned into an office and print shop.

In early spring of 2020 the COVID-19 Pandemic hit the area, causing issues for the fledgling business.

“The biggest challenge of just starting the business was the COVID-19 pandemic and still is,” Sanden says.  “I was closed during the Stay at Home order, partially reopened with curbside pickup or delivery, and contact with customers thru email or phone.  Not having large gatherings such as auctions, weddings, graduations, and town celebrations has had a negative impact on business. It also has caused issues with out of stock products or clothing and delayed shipping.”

“I am fortunate to have had supportive customers from the community and local area,” states Sanden.

JWS Graphix is now fully open and excited to meet the needs of the community with graphic design and digital printing for business cards, brochures, posters, gift certificates, raffle tickets, invitations, postcards, booklets, full color or black and white copies, etc.  They are also an ASI distributor and have access to thousands of promotional products, from pens, can and bottle coolies, key chains, magnets, masks, yard signs, banners, and more.  Product showcase catalogs are available for customers to peruse. Grizzly coolers and drinkware can also be customized. They offer screen printed clothing and heat transfers.  They can personalize names and numbers as well. They can do self inking stamps, name badges, engraved wall signs or name plates as well as vehicle decals, auto magnets, signs, window lettering and more.

“I can search items for the customer by quantity needed, price point, and color, and I will create a layout for their business, organization or event,” states Sanden.

Customers seeking the services of the small business will be asked for details of the event, the quantity of items needed, the finished item size as well as colors, any specific graphics or logos needed, and lettering fonts.  JWS Graphix works closely with the customer and the customer’s ideas.  A couple of different layouts will be made for the customer to choose from or make changes to before a finished product is available.

  “I utilize color, typography, vector art, line art, photos, or redrawing to bring my ideas or customer ideas to life,” says Sanden.  “I am very critical on details, wanting the customer to be satisfied with their finished product.  I am proud to serve my hometown and the surrounding communities!”

JWS Graphix can be reached via their facebook page at www.facebook.com/mabeltel.coop/, phone (507) 493-5078 or email jwsgraphix@mabeltel.coop.