Metal inspired duo start Newcastle screen printing business

Two young North East entrepreneurs have used their love for metal music as inspiration in their start up screen printing and graphic design business.

Jones Halsall, 27 and Lee Drew, 29, borrowed £5k from Start-Up Loans North East and Cumbria to launch Tyrant Design and Print in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley.

The pair are the 100th new start up supported by the fund and scheme.

They met through mutual friends after Jonas moved to the North East from his native Yorkshire to begin studying 3D modelling and graphic design at Sunderland University. They are currently investing their loan in the specialist kit needed to bring their dream to life.

Jonas, who has been working as a dental technician, said: “This feels like a really big step. We’ve been doing this as a hobby up until now, but we’re really excited to be able to start up professionally and between the two of us, we’ve got a good portfolio on which to build.

“We’re very lucky to be based in the creative Ouseburn area and we already have a number of bands we have worked with before as potential clients.

“Equipment has taken up a large chunk of our loan so far. We’ve invested in a pressure washer, screen printing carousel, a portable UV light and an A3 printer and scanner. Our next priority is a wash-out bay and stocking up on chemicals, inks and plain t-shirts, as well as fully launching our website.”

Lee, a graduate in graphic design from Northumbria University, added: “We’ve been planning this project for a year while working full time in other disciplines, so it will be amazing to open our doors and welcome our first clients.

“To be the region’s 100th new Start-Up Loans business this year is a privilege and was quite a surprise. It’s great that there are so many new businesses in the area getting the vital support they need to start trading.”

The Start-Up Loans scheme in the North East and Cumbria is delivered through a consortium including Virgin Money, Virgin Unite, The Northern Rock Foundation (NRF) and Project North East (PNE) – with PNE being the consortium partner responsible for arranging and making the loans.

The scheme continues to open doors for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 who have a great business idea. New ‘Lean Start-Up Loans’ of up to £1,000 are available, aimed at those who would like to carry out market research before launching, or need a bit of a push to begin trading.

Larger loans are available for those with greater business needs and successful applicants can benefit from Virgin Money’s mentoring support and Project North East’s many years’ working specifically with young business people.

To find out more about the Start-Up Loans scheme in the North East, as well as the new ‘Lean’ loans and how to apply, young entrepreneurs should visitstartuploansnortheast.co.uk.