Who doesn’t love a good sticker? When we’re young, we stick them to our notebooks, our walls, our lockers, our skateboards, and everywhere else for that matter. When we’re older, we’re a bit more selective about where we stick things, but the timeless nature of a simple sticker remains.
Over the course of the last couple of years, I’ve run into a number of business owners who have told me how much they love 7 One Sticks, a local custom sticker company founded by Jack Tarr. The first people to tell me about Jack were the owners of Unapologetic Coffee. That was in early ’22. Earlier today I was speaking to Carlos Naffziger-Brown, owner of Buffalo Keyholders Skatepark, who mentioned that I had to get to know Jack and his business. So I decided to reach out to Jack, to see what 7 One Sticks was all about.
When did you start the business?
It’s been going since Oct 2021. It started off in my apartment as a side project. It was on a small scale home printer. I realized that the sticker process was not too crazy – I could make something out of this. I see stickers everywhere, because I’ve been skateboarding for 6 or 7 years. People hand out free stickers at shops when you cash out. I started doing small batch orders… 50 to 100 at a time, for small businesses. I finally ended up getting a huge 54 inch vinyl format printer and cutter setup, and opened a studio on Hertel, in the basement of Moms Skate Shop. I ended up taking out a loan for the printer. I also set up a DBA, to make it official. I began making stickers for businesses and skate shops… and labels for coffee bags. I also made rolls of peel-off labels for Zio’s Deli & Heroes. Every Zio’s sub has a sticker… my favorite sub is The Trish (by the way).
Why does everyone love you and your business so much?
The one thing is that I’m local. I’m able to meet with business owners in person. Not just online. One-on-one is important to a lot of businesses. They can come into my shop if they want to, or I can stop into their business. I do a lot of local drop-offs. It’s good to get to know the owner, discuss the business, and talk about the services. The local drop-off feature is also nice because business owners don’t have to pay for shipping. On my website, people can opt to pick up the stickers, or have them dropped off. I strive to have a 2 to 3 day turnaround on all orders. And we ship out of state.
Where exactly are you located on Hertel?
I’m working in the basement of the North Park Theatre building. I’ve been working at Moms Skate Shop for a couple of years. When I started 7 One Sticks, Dave Eoannou (owner of Moms) suggested that I set up my machinery in the basement, where I have a studio and office. Dave also put me in touch with a lot of East Coast skate shops. It’s the perfect situation… it’s like having a little sticker lab!
Your website says that your stickers are waterproof adhesive vinyl with latex based inks, lasting 5-8 years outdoors on most surfaces. That sounds like a quality sticker.
The material is permanent adhesive for outdoor signage. It’s a high quality sticker. The printer uses latex-based inks, and has a curing unit, which means that there is no drying process (matte or gloss finish). That means that the stickers are stronger, scratch-proof, and weather resistant. The quality is right up there with the national competitors. The machine gives me the ability to use a range of materials, including banners, photographic prints, and static window clings, for example.
Do you have any other products in mind?
I’m looking to bring in more machinery for printing posters. A friend of mine – Nick DiCara – is starting up 7 One Prints where he will be printing apparel. Although we are two separate businesses, he will relocate next to my studio. In one or two months, he will be operational in the building. We will feed off one another. I’m very excited to have the different options to offer. I’m already turning my clients on to him. Plus, he’s going to be doing the apparel printing for Moms Skate Shop. We’re going to have some business start-up packs that we will be promoting. In the future, I will be looking into other products for vinyl applications, to add to the offerings.
Who are you making stickers for these days?
There are a lot of bars, like The Beer Keep. I’ll be making some stickers for Jack Rabbit too. I do vinyl window graphic cutouts for shop windows. I just did one for Golden Hour Salon on Elmwood. I do all of the graphics for Buffalo Community Fridge refrigerators throughout the city. I did some stickers for The Buffalo Maritime Center, and a decal for one of their canoes. I sell to a lot of skates shops in New York State, Pennsylvania, etc. Carlos from Buffalo Keyholders Skatepark stopped in yesterday… I will be printing some stickers for him. I’ll print up a Moms Skate Shop banner for his new indoor skatepark.
Customers include Unapologetic coffee, Moms Skate Shop, Zio’s Deli, The Beer Keep. Breezy Burrito Bar, Lucia’s on the Lake, Essex Street Pub, Forno e Gelato, Evans Bank, Save the Rags, Metagama
Anything else?
I’m hopeful for the future. I’m one of the only sticker production companies in Buffalo. Everyone can use stickers to promote their businesses. Everyone loves stickers!
7 One Sticks | 1416 Hertel Avenue | Basement, side entrance | By appointment | 716-431-6598 | 7onesticks@gmail.com | Instagram | See gallery
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