Diti Finds Magic in On-Demand Art and Printing
You may know Rico Tallud as one of the founders of Be Well. The Art of Asian Therapies, one of the city's top spas and massage centers. An "ideas guy," Tallud is excited about a new project, an on-demand draw and print center called Diti (Draw It, Take It!), located at 2250 W. Foster.
Tallud says the inspiration for Diti came from a birthday party he wanted to have for one of his children and creating t-shirts for the event. That conversation with his business partner, Tony Grammatis, sparked the idea. Grammatis, a childhood friend of Tallud's, already had the fully-operational print production business, and the two talked about how to best utilize a commercial space that became available next door. That entrepreneurial mindset was the catalyst for Tallud and Grammatis to collaborate, share ideas and launch Diti.
Diti offers a private, all-ages event space where designs can be printed on-demand, on anything. Typical items include t-shirts, mugs, mousepads and totebags, functional items made personal with the partygoers' designs.
Tallud says the on-demand aspect of Diti is what sets it apart from other arts-and-crafts event spaces. "There's this magic that you see in the kids' eyes," he says. "There's this joy in creating something and then getting to walk away with it. That's the magic."
And it's not just kids that are experiencing that Diti magic. Adults are coming in, too, for bachelorette parties, and even an office holiday party where the theme was "make your own funny holiday t-shirt." "We have these guys coming in for a regular standing poker night," Tallud says. "Diti created customized poker chips that they play with." The possibilities really are endless.
As a local, accessible business, Diti has also worked with local schools for fundraisers, including a school carnival. Tallud encourages schools and local nonprofits to get in touch about collaborating on fundraiser events. Call 773-293-7480 for more information, or visit their website!