NTZ ABOUT US
N the Zone Ink is an award-winning screen printing and embroidery shop proudly based in Bend, Oregon.
Locally owned and operated since 2009, we’ve built our reputation on delivering high-quality custom apparel for businesses, teams, and individuals. From bold branding to personalized merchandise, our expert craftsmanship ensures every design comes to life with precision and care.
In 2016, we acquired Eye of the Needle, one of Central Oregon’s most respected embroidery shops. By bringing their legacy into the NTZ family, we expanded our embroidery capabilities and deepened our commitment to detailed, high-quality stitching. Today, we’re honored to carry forward their tradition with the same care and craftsmanship their customers have trusted for years.
At N the Zone Ink, we believe in more than just printing—we believe in creating lasting impressions. Our dedicated team is passionate about what we do, working closely with you to ensure every project exceeds expectations. With a focus on quality, service, and innovation, we proudly serve Central Oregon and beyond, helping businesses, organizations, and communities stand out.
Born from humble beginnings, our journey started with a leap of faith and a passion for craftsmanship. Check out Our Story below to see how it all began!
OUR STORY
By Deanna Smith
What a journey it has been! Neither of us imagined we’d someday be running a thriving Screen Printing and Embroidery shop. While we both had always dreamed of owning a business one day, we never anticipated it would begin with an old set of screen printing equipment and a leap of faith.
It all started in the fall of 2009 during the Recession, a time of uncertainty when families, including ours, were facing job losses, home loss and financial strain. One day, Josh’s mom called to tell us about some old screen printing equipment up for auction. Coincidentally, Josh had worked on this very same equipment back in high school. After much persistence from her, and a final nudge from me, Josh decided to give it a shot.
When he brought it home, I’ll admit I was skeptical. It was a dusty, filthy, outdated pile of machinery hauled in on a flatbed trailer. But Josh’s enthusiasm was contagious. We cleaned off decades of grime, set up the equipment in our garage and gave it a try. Our blended family of seven watched Josh in awe as the first T-shirt was printed. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start and so exciting! That’s the day N the Zone Ink was born.
A few weeks later, everything changed. I was called into my boss’s office and told the dreaded news of a layoff. As a single mom, in a new relationship, with a new blended family, the fear was overwhelming. But Josh encouraged me to see it as an incredible opportunity that would change my life for the better. The next morning, instead of heading to my old job, I setup my new desk and began helping him grow the business, reaching out to clients, creating ordering systems, and teaching myself graphic design. The side hustle quickly transformed into a possibility of a new path, a necessity, a way to survive and build a future.
By mid 2010, we moved out of the garage and into our first commercial space. It wasn’t glamorous, there was no running water or sewer, but it gave us legitimacy. We worked tirelessly, with me managing the office during the day and Josh printing orders after his full-time job in the evening. It was tough, but we were determined.
As demand grew, we continued to invest in ourselves, taking classes to refine our skills and upgrading equipment. By later that summer of 2010, it was clear Josh needed to leave his job and join the business full-time, a terrifying yet pivotal decision. We took the leap, trusting that hard work and perseverance would carry us through.
Fast forward to today: N the Zone Ink has grown from a garage startup to an award-winning screen printing and embroidery shop. We’ve upgraded to fully automated state-of-the-art equipment and software, moved into a larger space, created well over a dozen jobs and built a reputation for quality and customer service. Through every challenge, our family, friends and community has stood by us, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Our journey has been one of risk, resilience, and passion. To everyone who has supported us along the way - Thank You. The best is still yet to come!
Deanna & Josh
Your Fearless Decorators
