A shell of it's former self - People Operations Custom Ink Employee Review

1.0
May 28, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Healthcare and compensation were competitive. Before the dark times, professional growth and the team environment were amazing.

Cons

I remember a time, not so long ago, when Custom Ink was a beacon. It was a place where the focus and drive of professional growth flowed freely, nurturing talent, fostering collaboration, and building a true sense of team. Its halls echoed with the vibrant debates of innovation, and its purpose was clear: to elevate its people, and through them, its clients. It was a great place to work, built on shared values and a commitment to its customers and team members. But then, a shadow began to stretch across its bright facade. The whispers of a new order, driven by the cold calculus of private equity, started to permeate the very core of its being. Promises of efficiency and maximized returns, cloaked in the language of progress, began to erode the foundations of trust and loyalty. The first cuts were swift, precise, and chilling. Talent, once cherished, became a line item on a ledger, deemed expendable in the relentless pursuit of profit. Then came the insidious strategy of offshoring, a slow bleed of expertise and connection, sending vital functions to distant, unseen corners, severing the bonds that held the community together. In less than two years, the unthinkable happened. Over a thousand team members, dedicated and skilled, found their careers abruptly ended, cast adrift by a regime that valued only the bottom line. The vibrant ecosystem of professional growth withered, replaced by a stark, desolate landscape. What remains now is but a shell of its former self. The spirit that once animated Custom Ink has been extinguished, replaced by a hollow echo of what was. The focus on people, the commitment to collective advancement – these are but distant memories, like tales from a bygone era. It is a stark reminder of how quickly greed can transform a thriving company into a mere transactional relationship of subpar service and money, cold and unfeeling. The culture, once strong within its walls, is now unbalanced. And now, those of us who have moved on, we can only bear witness to the tragic consequences of such a fall.

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Custom Ink Response
12mo
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt reflection. We deeply appreciate your perspective and the care with which you described both the strengths you once experienced at Custom Ink and the disappointment you've felt more recently. Your words paint a vivid picture of a time when Custom Ink’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared values felt strong and unifying. We're grateful that you were part of that chapter and that you found professional growth and team connection during your time with us. We also want to acknowledge the pain and frustration you've expressed regarding the recent changes, including workforce reductions and operational shifts. These have indeed been difficult decisions, and we understand the deep impact they’ve had on many valued team members. While made to help the business remain sustainable and competitive, that doesn’t lessen the emotional toll. Please know that we’ve tried to support those affected with care and respect—through severance packages, extended benefits, and career transition assistance—and we continue to listen and learn from feedback like yours. Your input is sincerely appreciated and will be shared internally. Thank you again for your contributions to Custom Ink and for taking the time to reflect on both the past and present. We wish you all the best in your journey ahead. If you have further insights you'd like to share, we welcome them at inkerfeedback@customink.com.

Explore other reviews about Custom Ink

5.0
May 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Friendly staff and flexible hours made for pleasant work environment

Cons

The commute was too great

1.0
May 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good benefits and diversity initiative at the time.

Cons

The company lied about what the job was. A "community building local representative" for their brick and mortar stores ended up just being a cold calling job and taking incoming calls for other stores. No room to move up. The management was the worst I ever worked for. Weird rules where they signed the lease, including someone having to stay in the store in inclement dangerous weather. Most of the "old school" employees I came into contact with drank the Kool Aid in a weird way that left no room for criticism. I left in 2022 and have been watching the rating here fall for all the years since. Could have been a great company but I wouldn't ever give them my energy now, as an employee or customer.

2
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Custom Ink Response
1w
Thank you for reflecting on your time with us and sharing your honest feedback. We are pleased to know that our benefits and commitment to diversity initiatives were positive elements of your experience. We are truly sorry to hear about your frustration regarding the daily responsibilities of your role, our historical store safety guidelines, and the management culture you experienced. Providing transparent expectations and ensuring a safe, respectful environment for our team members are core priorities, and we regret that your experience did not reflect this. Although you transitioned away from the company in 2022, your insights are valuable as we look back at our operational history and work to strengthen our organization moving forward. Thank you for your past contributions to the team, and we wish you continued success in your professional journey.
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