From the Basement Up: How Mile High Graphics Found the Right Support

Mile High Graphics started the way a lot of great companies do, a small operation out of a hopeful basement. Founded in Denver, Colorado and fueled by a love of design and a belief in the power of visual communication, they've grown into a full-service large format print shop over the last 15 years. Now, with over 13 employees and nearly 10,000 square feet of production space, they deliver banners, window graphics, wall graphics, and more to businesses across Colorado and the nation.

A lot went into that growth. But if you ask Jeremy Wallin, owner of Mile High Graphics, one relationship stands out as a quiet constant behind the scenes — their partnership with Grimco.

A Relationship That Grew Up Together

Mile High Graphics has been a Grimco customer since their earliest days, back when the business was still finding its footing. Like a lot of growing shops, they experimented with other vendors along the way, testing different suppliers and approaches as their needs evolved.

By 2016–2017, they made a decision that changed things, consolidate with Grimco as their primary source. They haven't looked back since.

"We've tried the multi-vendor approach," said Jeremy. "It was challenging from every angle. Consolidating with Grimco has improved our margins, our cash flow, our productivity, and honestly our quality of work life."

photo of Mile High Graphics job examples

The Operational Edge: Inventory Without the Overhead

For a production-driven business like Mile High Graphics, keeping the right materials on hand without tying up capital in excess inventory is one of the most delicate balancing acts in the operation.

Grimco's next-day delivery model changed that math entirely.

Rather than stockpiling product and absorbing the cash flow strain that comes with it, Mile High Graphics now relies on Grimco to stock the specific items they need and deliver them the next day. Effectively, Grimco functions as an extension of their own inventory, available when they need it, without the overhead of carrying it themselves.

photo of Grimco's Dallas hub warehouse

"One of the biggest operational wins for us has been Grimco's ability to stock items we've specifically requested, deliver next day, and effectively act as an extension of our own inventory," Jeremy explained. "That alone has had a real impact on our cash flow and keeps our production moving without interruption."

On top of the physical logistics, Mile High Graphics uses Grimco.com to manage ordering and accounting details, giving them one less system to juggle, with everything they need in one place. It's a small thing that adds up, less time chasing paperwork means more time focused on the work itself.

Service That Goes Beyond the Order

Infrastructure matters. But in any long-term business relationship, it's the people that make it last.

For Mile High Graphics, that person is Matt Barclay, their Grimco sales rep.

Matt's involvement goes well beyond taking orders. He brought in a 3M product rep to train the Mile High Graphics team on materials, helping them sharpen their product knowledge and spec jobs with greater confidence. He works through pricing on larger volume jobs. And when it comes to matching the right material to the right application at the right price point, his expertise has become something the team genuinely relies on.

"His product knowledge is sharp — he points us toward the right material for the right application at the right price point, which lets us tightly partner with our own clients and deliver better outcomes," Jeremy said.

Photo of Matt Barclay talking with customer

What stands out most, though, is the reliability. When something gets damaged, it gets replaced. When an issue comes up, Matt answers immediately and solves it. Every time.

"Matt genuinely cares," Jeremy noted, "and every person he's connected us with carries that same standard."

That last part isn't a small thing. A rep who not only shows up for their customer but also brings in the right people, at the right time, with the right attitude. That's a reflection of something bigger than one individual. It's the standard we hold ourselves to at Grimco — because our customers' success is our success.

A Partner That's Invested in Your Success

Mile High Graphics' story is a good one: a basement startup that grew into a thriving, full-service shop with a reputation for quality and a footprint that reaches across the country. Their slogan — Design Everything, Print Anything, Install Everywhere — says everything about how they approach their work.

photo of Mile High Graphic work van

Grimco is proud to be part of that story. Not as the main character, but as the reliable presence in the background, keeping product stocked, deliveries on time, and challenges solved before they become problems.

That's the partnership we aim to build with every customer. And with Mile High Graphics, it's one that's been fifteen years in the making.

Interested in learning how Grimco can support your business? Contact your local Grimco rep at 800-542-9941 or visit Grimco.com to get started.

Mile High Graphics is the official graphics provider of National Western Stock Show

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Grimco provides next-day delivery on a wide range of sign supply products to customers across its distribution network. For print shops that depend on consistent material availability to keep production on schedule, this model reduces the need to carry large amounts of inventory on hand. So customers can order exactly what they need, when they need it, every time.

Working with a single vendor simplifies the day-to-day of running a print shop in ways that go beyond just cost. Print shops that consolidate often see improvements across margins, cash flow, and productivity, and many find that reducing the complexity of managing multiple supplier relationships has a positive impact on their overall quality of work life.

A Grimco sales rep acts as a consultative partner, taking time to understand a customer's business needs before recommending solutions. From identifying the right materials for specific applications to assisting with pricing on larger jobs and connecting customers with product training and manufacturer resources, the goal is simple: function as an extension of the customer's team. That means listening, problem-solving, and helping customers deliver better outcomes for their own clients.

Using an online platform to handle purchasing and account management in one place can reduce the time spent on administrative tasks. Tools like Grimco.com allow print shops to track orders, manage accounts, and streamline the procurement process without switching between multiple systems.

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