Why I Started Wisque: My Journey through Print to Supporting Artists
My story in print started in my early twenties, not in an office, but out on the road as a delivery van driver. I was eager to learn, happy to put in the hard work, and curious about every part of the business. Those first years gave me a front-row seat to what makes print tick - meeting clients, solving problems on the fly, and seeing the importance of getting every detail right.
Determined to build a career, I served a full apprenticeship and took every opportunity to learn the ropes. Over time, I worked my way up, earning roles as manager, then Assistant Director. In 2007, together with my business partner Stuart, we took the leap and bought the company. Becoming Managing Director was a proud moment, but it was also the beginning of something much bigger.
What truly inspired me was the rapid pace of change in print technology. I developed a real passion for new ideas, always looking for ways to bring fresh thinking and smarter workflows into the business. I loved discovering new practices, experimenting with the latest advancements, and finding ways to make our processes more efficient. I’d found my groove and was hungry for more.
In 2014, that hunger led me to launch The Print Queue. The idea was to simplify things for our commercial print clients by combining the convenience of e-commerce with the complexity of print workflows. The Print Queue made ordering and managing print jobs easier for businesses, bridging the gap between traditional print and the growing world of online services.
As time went on, I saw an even greater opportunity. Artists and creatives were facing their own challenges—bringing their work to life, selling online, and handling everything from fulfilment to customer service. The Print Queue evolved, and in 2017, it became Wisque. The focus shifted from serving commercial print clients to supporting artists in a much more holistic way.
Wisque was built to be more than just a print service. We set out to create a hands-on platform where artists could focus on creating, while we took care of the rest - print production, Online store setup, packing, shipping, and customer support. When the world changed in 2020 and artists had to move their businesses online almost overnight, Wisque stepped in as a true partner. We helped artists adapt, thrive, and keep doing what they love, even in the toughest times.
Today, Wisque stands for personal, hands-on collaboration. Every print and card is checked by hand. Every artist is treated as a collaborator, not just a client. We believe in open communication and real support, both practical and personal. Our motto says it all: You create, we’ll handle the rest.
Looking back, I’m proud of the journey - from van driver to Managing Director, from The Print Queue to Wisque, and from serving commercial clients to building a supportive community for artists. It's all been a learning curve thats shaped me and allowed me to curve out a career that supports my 'Why" - to take pride in everything I create, never cutting corners, always giving my best. For me, Wisque is about helping artists take pride in what they create - knowing their work is handled with the same care they put into making it
Paul Lyward
Founder, Wisque