Rainbow Beach Designs is a new business venture for local graphic designer, Barb Bryant-Dunshea, who has launched her business creating printed product lines featuring local images.
Barb says she is in full swing now after launching softly in 2021 and said the business is going well and she is thrilled with the response.
Barb returned to the area after spending many years in North Queensland and said she loves the region, and it was hard to leave and move away.
“I love Rainbow Beach; it is my home,” she said.
“I love to get up every morning and I have the same passion as when I was a paramedic. It gives me the same feeling.
“It has taken a long time to find another job I can do that with. I love creating different things every day and seeing them come to life. “
Born and bred in Cooroy, Barb became a paramedic and when they decided to move back to the region, Barb went back to school and studied a Bachelor of Communication Design at University.
She says it is completely different to being a paramedic and she really loves it.
While they would have loved to buy in Rainbow Beach, they were able to find a place in Tin Can Bay so that is where the business is based.
“I always enjoyed tie dye nappies and screen printing, and it was always my passion to come back here, and I have picked it up again and I’m living my dream.
“We have our design which is one part of the business, and the other is wholesale so we can print up a series with no minimum number with a choice of designs and colours.
“We have found great suppliers and we can offer a quick turnaround. We specialise in creating the best quality t-shirts and designs inhouse.”
Another of the popular lines are baby onesies, and Barb said they are reaching out to a lot of companies to collaborate with as well, so it is not just t-shirts.
They also offer customised t-shirts, hoodies, hats, tea towels, aprons, towels, coffee cups, stubbie coolers, mouse pads and key rings and have an in-house graphic designer so they can personalise your creations.
This year they have a new addition with a ‘direct to garment’ printer so they can add photographs onto products which gives them the ability to print multi coloured designs onto t-shirts.
The idea was borne when locals Garry and Julie Hewitt asked if she were able to print a photo of their beloved pet Ki onto a t-shirt and it was from there the inspiration for Ki Original’s came from.
“When starting this business, we wanted to make sure we were an ethical and eco printing design business while making sure we make a minimal impact of the earth.”
“We have a recycling program for you to be involved in by returning your no longer required t-shirts and remaking them into recycled bathmats, with all profits going to local charities.”
We use only water-based inks saving our environment and every shirt sold comes in its own calico backpack.
“When we decided to develop the brand, we wanted to create a line of apparel that was easily recognisable as being Rainbow Beach, not only for the locals but also for the visitors, to take home a memory of the good times.
“We have been selling at the markets, but we are going online and eventually I would love to have my own shop.”
There is also a wholesale side to the business where Rainbow Beach Designs can produce and print on all types of apparel and accessories for your school, local sporting club, small business, or clothing brand.
Get in touch with Barb at hello@rainbowbeachdesigns.com
