Vendor Spotlight: Brownlee Press: Where Print Meets Personality

Bill and Teddy. (Bill is the man)

When you run a business based on live events and storytelling, having the right print partner isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. You need someone who gets the urgency, the weird projects, the creativity. Someone who doesn’t blink when you say, “I need 200 custom sticker cards by Friday.”

For me, that guy is Bill Chesney at Brownlee Press.

Not Just a Print Shop, It’s a Creative Ally

Brownlee Press isn’t like most print shops. It’s not stuffy. It’s not cold. It’s not the kind of place that prints something they know looks off, hands it to you with a shrug, and tells you to read the specs closer.

It’s warm. It’s local. It's fun. It’s run by someone who cares how it turns out — not just how fast it’s done.

Bill is the owner, the printer, the designer, and the guy who picks up the phone.

He’s the Jackie Moon of Brownlee Press. He does it all, and he does it well.

You don’t just visit Brownlee Press, you explore it.

What We’ve Made Together

Bill has printed the WonderBash convention books for the last four years — every single one crisp and pro. He’s printed show posters for my public events, custom merch, banners stickers, and even fun one-off items I use in the show.

Sometimes I’ll have a half-formed idea for a special event and Bill just runs with it. He doesn’t just hit “print.” He makes it better. You can tell he’s an artist working with another artist. He gets the weirdness. He respects the urgency. He makes sure it’s right. And if it’s not, he’ll say so before I ever see it. That kind of trust is rare.

The Shop That Feels Like a Hangout

Step into Brownlee Press and you’re stepping into Bill’s world. Posters from cult TV shows, music prints, quirky cards, and oddball treasures line the walls. The vibes are good. There’s usually a stack of projects in motion, music playing, a fridge full of Faygo close by.

It’s the least intimidating print shop I’ve ever been to. It feels like what you wish your first creative studio felt like.

It’s also the best place in Grand Rapids to buy a gift when you don’t know what to get someone. And I mean that. You’ll walk in for a card and leave with a poster, a pin, a sticker, maybe a nostalgic VHS, and a shirt that references I Think You Should Leave.

The Willy Wonka of print shops lies right behind these doors in Grand Rapids.

Where Art Meets Print

One of the coolest things about Brownlee Press is that Bill works with other artists, too. He commissions original work from local illustrators and creatives, then brings those designs to life in the shop — posters, cards, prints, and more.

So whether you’re into Michigan iconography, cult comedy, or something totally niche, there’s always something new and unexpected waiting in the racks. This isn’t just a print shop — it’s a gallery, a pop culture museum, and a maker’s playground.

Why Bill Matters

As a performer and business owner, having someone like Bill in my corner has been huge. From last-minute banners to custom merch to show posters and passion projects, he’s been my go-to for years. He’s fast, fair, and incredibly kind. And if you’re a fellow performer, entrepreneur, or local creative who wants your stuff to look good and feel good, 

you want to work with someone like Bill.

📍 Vendor: Brownlee Press – Grand Rapids, MI

Printed locally. Packed with magic. BIll Chesney in his natural habitat surrounded by ink and paper.

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