Print shop calls historic downtown home

Check Mark Design is already leaving its mark downtown, and not just on its own building.

The business specializes in print and engraving, and one of its customers, Keathley’s General Store, also does business downtown.

“I knew downtown was making a comeback, so I wanted to be a part of the business and the community.” owner Mark Colbert said.

Colbert got his start in various local print shops over the years and started a home-based print business in 2005. At some point, Colbert, 51, began looking for a new home for his trade.

“We opened up Check Mark Design at its current location Feb. 1 of this year,” he said. “Since then, we’ve been expanding the services we offer.”

At 218 E. Broad St., Check Mark continues producing signs, banners and decals but also started making custom plaques and awards and offering custom engraving.

“I like being part of historic downtown,” Colbert said.

His place or one nearby may have been the site of an earlier print shop, he said.

“We’ve got things here that indicate a previous print shop was here or nearby,” he said. “They were called Nelson Printing.”

For more information, call Check Mark Design at 870-779-8579; visit checkmarkdesigns.net or texarkanatrophies.net; or find Check Mark Design on Facebook.

Staff photo by Hunt Mercier ■ Check Mark Design is a business in printing and engraving that has relocated to downtown Texarkana. The business is an example of the growing presence of local businesses in the historic downtown area.

Staff photo by Hunt Mercier ■ Check Mark Design owner Mark Colbert opened the shop on East Broad Street to be part of the revival of downtown.