Colby Brown / Spokesman ORIG Some of the decals produced by Pinto Decals.

A designing duo recently opened a graphic design shop, Pinto Design, in Redmond at 416 SE Jackson Street, Suite 1.

Keller Christensen and Travis Burgher met as friends before opening the shop.

The graphic design team piggy backed off already established Pinto Decals, of which Burgher has been the owner-operator of for the past six years. Pinto Decals has been around since 1969 and was owned and operated for nearly 40 years by Paul Pinto, which is where the company gets its name. About a year ago, Christensen began working toward opening a design shop of his own, after nearly a decade of design work for a Bend company. The two came together and out came Pinto Design, which allows Burgher to expand his services as well as giving Christensen the freedom of being his own boss.

“We’re just friends that put our heads together and are trying to make some money doing what we want to do, and make a good product for our customers,” Christensen said.

The company can design and produce a number of products including apparel, banners, signs, promotional products, vehicles graphics and, of course, decals. Having the production ability in house as well as a low overhead gives Pinto Design a very short turnover, Christensen said.

Christensen is the driving force behind the creation of Pinto Design. He previously worked for eight years doing design work at a law firm. He said that even though it was a good job, he didn’t get the creative freedom he wanted from his career. That passion drove him to become his own boss.

“It’s nice to be able to work for ourselves,” Burgher said. “We’re not making a fortune, but that’s not the point. We get to live in Central Oregon and be our own boss.”

Christensen said it is rewarding to be able to work with new companies and help design a logo or brand for them. He said it’s almost like he is a part of the company for the short time he works with them.

“When people are starting a new company, they are excited and passionate and it’s always great to work with people like that,” Christensen said.

Pinto Decals still operates out of the same space. Most of the business it gets comes from making football helmet decals. Burgher played football at Boise State University and Christensen played for Oregon State University — both schools are now clients of Pinto Decals. They also make many of the local team decals, including sports like baseball. Most of the business for decal work is completed online, through a streamlined ordering process, but Burgher said his shop is always open.

“There’s always stress when trying to pay the bills from something new, but we’ve got good feedback from our customers,” Christensen said.

They encourage anyone interested to stop by their workshop, which also serves as their office. Being a smaller company also makes them versatile and allows Christensen and Burgher to take work or orders of any size. Average price of an order depends on quantity and amount of design work requested, but starts from 10 decals for $30.

During the process of making his own company, Christensen said he realized the importance of shopping local. He said that even though some internet prices may be cheaper, from being able to outsource production, sticking to local companies not only keeps money in the community but also helps out fellow entrepreneurs.

“There is always another guy who is trying to do his own thing just like we are, and it’s important support the local guys, even if it costs a little more,” Christensen said.

Both Christensen and Burgher are excited to increase more local work.

“The collaboration between Travis and I with the customer is exciting and fresh everyday, and that’s something I love about this job,” Christensen said.

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com