At the north end of NW 23rd and York in Portland, PVS Graphics sits at a true crossroads — where the city’s industrial backbone meets its creative energy and retail ambition. That intersection defines how we work. We think like engineers, create like artists, and execute like seasoned production pros. Every project starts with a problem to solve and ends with something built to perform in the real world.
Founded in 1991 by Nick and Jim in the back room of a tombstone cutting shop, PVS has grown from vinyl signage and scrappy experimentation into a 30,000-square-foot operation powered by 38 sharp, creative minds. With Wes joining the ownership team and expanding our dimensional and engineering capabilities, the shop evolved into a full-service print and fabrication partner. Today, we support global brands with flat and dimensional graphics, large-format dye-sublimation, vinyl, digital die cutting, finishing, fulfillment, and the project management that keeps it all moving.
We don’t just print graphics. We help bring ambitious ideas into physical space. From early brainstorming and engineering to fabrication, finishing, and fulfillment, our team exists to solve the problems that stand between concept and execution. When timelines tighten, specs shift, or complexity increases, we lean in — because building what others can’t is what we’ve been doing since day one.
1991
Borrowed $2,500 to buy a computer. Rented everything else.
PVS Graphics was born from a two-hour Saturday favor — a sign for a friend. That favor turned into a broom-closet rental inside a tombstone shop. Vinyl cutters were borrowed. Equipment was rented. Every dollar mattered.
A Yellow Pages ad followed. Within 60 days, we landed a home-run client.
Bootstrapped? Absolutely.
Built to solve problems? From day one.
1993
Hollywood Video calls. Time to level up.
We move into a 1,500 sq ft building and start thinking bigger.
1995
United Grocers comes on board. Signs. Signs. More signs.
Screen printing enters the shop. Capabilities expand. So do expectations.
2000
We move into 10,000 sq ft. Then the phone rings.
A small shoe company in Beaverton, Oregon needs help. We answer.
2005
Wes joins as partner, bringing stagecraft and mechanical engineering into the mix.
Dimensional thinking gets sharper. The builds get smarter.
2010
PVS goes fully digital.
Not just pushing buttons — engineering them.
2021
Complete redesign. Full reorganization. We relearn how to do everything.
Stronger systems. Sharper focus. Same obsession with solving client problems.
New beginnings.
The business feels possible again — energized, diversified, and more capable than at any point in our history.
Still part art studio.
Still part production warehouse.
Still all problem solvers.
