Artifact Uprising
Founded: 2012
Founder: Katie Thurmes, Jenna Walker
Headquarters: 4045 N Pecos St, Denver, Colorado, 80211, USA
Phone: 720-605-8994
Number of employees: 67
Website: www.artifactuprising.com
Overview
Artifact Uprising is a Colorado-based company founded by sisters Katie Thurmes and Jenna Walker in 2012. The company was created with the aim of helping people transform their digital memories into tangible, high-quality photo books, prints, and other customized products. Over the years, Artifact Uprising has carved a niche for itself in the market by offering simple, elegant designs and eco-conscious materials, distinguishing itself from other photo printing services.
Company History
Katie Thurmes and Jenna Walker, the founders of Artifact Uprising, started their journey as professional photographers. They noticed a gap in the market for premium, well-designed photo products that could transform their digital photographs into physical memories. Driven by their passion for storytelling and their commitment to sustainability, the sisters decided to create a platform where people could make beautiful, high-quality photo products with ease. This idea led to the birth of Artifact Uprising in 2012.
In the early stages of the company, the founders focused on designing unique, user-friendly templates and offering a range of products that catered to different needs and preferences. As Artifact Uprising grew, the company expanded its product line to include photo books, wall art, calendars, cards, and other personalized items.
Product Offering
Artifact Uprising offers a wide array of products, all designed to showcase cherished memories and tell personal stories. Their product offering includes:
Photo Books: Customers can choose from various photo book options such as layflat albums, hardcover books, and softcover books. Each book is customizable with different sizes, cover materials, and paper options.
Prints: Artifact Uprising provides a range of print options, including standard prints, large format prints, and fine art prints, using high-quality papers and printing techniques.
Wall Art: Customers can transform their favorite photos into framed prints, canvas prints, or wooden photo ledges to add a personal touch to their homes.
Calendars: Artifact Uprising offers customizable calendars with different designs and formats, such as the wooden calendar, brass easel calendar, and the classic wall calendar.
Cards: The company provides a variety of cards for occasions like weddings, holidays, and birth announcements, all customizable with personal photos and text.
Gifts: Artifact Uprising also offers a selection of gift items, including gift cards, photo puzzles, and custom photo boxes.
Acquisitions
In 2014, just two years after its inception, Artifact Uprising was acquired by Visual Supply Company (VSCO), a California-based digital photography app and creative platform. The acquisition helped Artifact Uprising to leverage VSCO’s technology and expand its reach to a larger audience. However, in 2017, the founders decided to reacquire the company to focus on its core mission and maintain the brand’s distinct identity.
Partnerships
Artifact Uprising is known for its commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. To fulfill this mission, the company has formed partnerships with various eco-conscious organizations and suppliers. For instance, Artifact Uprising has partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring that all its paper products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. The company also uses environmentally friendly materials, like recycled paper, and works with local printers to minimize the environmental impact of shipping.
Awards and Recognitions
Artifact Uprising has been recognized for its innovative approach to photo products and commitment to quality. Some notable accolades include:
Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award (2014): Artifact Uprising was named as one of the finalists in the Graphic Design category for its unique approach to storytelling through design.
Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 (2015): Founders Katie Thurmes and Jenna Walker were featured on Inc. Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list, highlighting their success as young entrepreneurs in the photo printing industry.
The Knot’s Best of Weddings Award (Multiple Years): Artifact Uprising has consistently been recognized as a top pick for wedding-related photo products, such as wedding albums and invitations, by The Knot, a leading wedding planning resource.
Commitment to Sustainability
Artifact Uprising demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability, which is evident through their eco-conscious practices and partnerships. The following highlight the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility:
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Partnership: Artifact Uprising is partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. By choosing FSC-certified paper for their products, Artifact Uprising ensures that the paper is sourced from responsibly managed forests that adhere to strict environmental and social standards.
Eco-Friendly Materials: Artifact Uprising uses environmentally friendly materials in its products. For example, their hardcover and softcover photo books use 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled paper. By using recycled paper, the company reduces its environmental footprint by minimizing the consumption of raw materials and reducing waste.
Local Printing Partnerships: To minimize the environmental impact of shipping, Artifact Uprising works with local printers in different regions. This practice helps reduce the carbon emissions associated with transportation while also supporting local businesses.
Minimal and Sustainable Packaging: Artifact Uprising is committed to using minimal and sustainable packaging materials to reduce waste. They utilize recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials whenever possible, ensuring that their products have a lower environmental impact.
Environmental Advocacy: Artifact Uprising actively supports environmental causes and raises awareness about sustainability. The company has featured stories of environmental conservation on their blog and social media platforms, encouraging their audience to take action and make more sustainable choices.
These information demonstrate Artifact Uprising’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, which is ingrained in the company’s values and business practices.
Community Involvement
Artifact Uprising has shown its commitment to community involvement through various initiatives and partnerships. The following provide insights into the company’s engagement with the community:
Support for Nonprofit Organizations: Artifact Uprising has collaborated with and supported various nonprofit organizations over the years. For example, they have partnered with Charity: Water, an organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to people in developing countries. Artifact Uprising created a limited edition photo book, with 100% of the proceeds going to support Charity: Water’s projects.
Environmental Advocacy: Artifact Uprising actively promotes environmental conservation and sustainability. By sharing stories and content related to environmental causes on their blog and social media platforms, the company encourages its audience to take action and make more sustainable choices in their lives.
Local Partnerships: Artifact Uprising works closely with local printers in different regions, fostering partnerships that support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. By choosing to work with local suppliers, the company contributes to the economic development of communities in various regions.
Employee Volunteering and Giving: While specific details about employee volunteer programs are not publicly available, Artifact Uprising’s commitment to sustainability and community involvement suggests that the company likely encourages and supports employee involvement in community initiatives and charitable activities.
Support for Creatives: Artifact Uprising features stories of photographers, artists, and designers on their blog and social media channels, providing a platform for creative professionals to share their work and experiences. By highlighting the work of these individuals, the company contributes to the growth of the creative community and fosters a sense of connection and inspiration.
These facts and records demonstrate Artifact Uprising’s commitment to community involvement, showcasing the company’s dedication to giving back and supporting various initiatives and causes.
In conclusion, Artifact Uprising is a company that has successfully carved out a space for itself in the photo printing market by focusing on design, storytelling, and sustainability. With a diverse range of high-quality products, a commitment to eco-friendly practices, and a history of industry recognition, Artifact Uprising continues to be a popular choice for customers looking to create tangible memories from their digital photographs.
Disclaimer: Please note that the names and positions of employees mentioned may be subject to change, as individuals may move to different roles or organizations. While we make every effort to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee that all employee details are current or complete. We encourage you to verify the identity and positions of any individual mentioned and check their Linkedin Profile before taking any action based on their role.
Employees
Brad Kopitz – Chairman of the Board
Matty Walker – co founder
Morgan Kois – Director Of Brand Marketing
Collin Stewart – VP of Growth
Alex Hield – Director, People Operations
Anna Westerholm – Chief Experience Officer
Brianna Burton – Design Director
Bret Hanna – Senior Vice President Of Engineering
Leslie Newell – VP of Product
Kira Waite – Director of Operations
Erin Hargis – Human Resources Generalist
Amy Thacker – VP Finance & Strategy
Zach Borgman – Director of Analytics