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Afterburner FX offers custom service with a custom touch
By Kalea Hall
HUBBARD
Behind the doors of Afterburner FX’s custom apparel shop in Hubbard are five well-behaved, loving dogs known collectively as “the pack.”
In the shop at 3600 Schotten Road, they are the center of attention for newcomers.
If you get a chance to look past their wagging tails, you will see the custom work at the apparel shop come to life.
Dana Marucci, daughter of the company’s founder, Jim, and dog lover, prepares a black button-down shirt for embroidery as she talks about “the pack.”
“People love them,” she said.
They also love the cool, relaxed atmosphere of the shop and the service that has led longtime customers to stay with the company for years – and new customers to come knocking.
“It’s all about service in this world,” Jim said. “We work hard so they look good.”
Jim started the company in 1990 after he worked as a motorcycle accessory distributor. A change in the industry led him to leave it. While he was working in California doing graphics work, he thought maybe his next move could be in the custom embroidery business.
“I went on a mission to learn everything I could about embroidery,” Jim said.
Jim bought a two-head embroidery machine to start his business.
In the beginning, he made a lot of hats. He would attend trade shows to learn about the machines and kept practicing. In fact, he still does.
“There was a lot of trial and error,” Jim said.
His connections from his previous business brought him work from people in the motorcycle industry. He soon had to add a six-head embroidery machine, and then a 12-head.
More space was needed. In the basement of his home, Jim had a 3,000-square-foot workshop built.
Much of the business came from the motocross and motorcycle community locally, nationally and internationally. The quality of the work came with recognition and more business for Jim, his daughter, Dana, and their team.
“Our contract customers, we give them ability to do the work they wouldn’t be able to do before,” Jim said. “It’s just rewarding to see what you do being used.”
Dana was there from the start to help her dad grow the business. She thought she would attend Youngstown State University, get her business degree and move on, but decided to stick with the business.
The business grew, but the customer service that it had from the start stayed.
“We try to keep everything the same no matter if you have one shirt or 1,000,” Dana said.
The shop now has 34 machines and offers embroidery, screen printing, digital printing, sublimation printing, vehicle graphics, signs, banners and displays and other services. The vinyl printing was added about 10 years ago when the Maruccis noticed a need for it. Sublimation printing allowed the business to offer custom cups and coasters. Direct-to-garment printing was added three years ago. It brings images to life.
“You can do anything you want,” Dana said of direct to garment.
A recently purchased UV printer will give the Maruccis the ability to do printing on wine bottles and golf balls.
Afterburner’s products ship throughout the world. Customers are everyone from custom puzzle makers to motorcycle gangs and trucking companies. The company works with businesses and the general public.
“I guess you don’t have to have all the whistles and bells in the world. You just have to be good at what you do,” Jim aid.
Jim and Dana see the business continuing to gain momentum in the coming years. Their pack, Libby, a miniature Dachshund; Harley, a mixed Mastiff; Jax, a pit mix; Cinnamon, a Chow mix; and Boughie, an Italian Greyhound; will be there to provide support and friendly service to the customers that walk in.
“We like that personal service,” Jim said.
For information on Afterburner FX, go to www.afterburnerfx.com/default.html.