Custom Striping started in June 2011, as a husband and wife team, with Katy (far left) working out of the converted carport at home, and Ryan (second left) working as a subcontractor for a caravan signage installation company. After nearly a year of hard work and negotiations, Katy secured an account with 3M which allowed for direct access to our most used product range. The business continued to grow, evolve, and adapt to the changing caravan industry, which included building a home workshop, purchasing a wide format printer, extending that home workshop, and ultimately moving into a factory complex in 2016.
Since then, the company has steadily grown, ultimately becoming the largest producer and supplier of 3M pinstriping in Australia, primarily supplying 3M products. Our trading name changed at the start of 2021 to “Automotive Stripes Australia”, which better reflects our position in the market, and what our main product to the public is.
Having survived the multiple Covid lockdowns in VIC during 2020/2021, we came out the other end straight onto the caravan wave that Covid produced across the country. The market has since cooled, but we are still filling our niche part of the market which is pinstripe production and signage/stickers for around 15 different manufacturers.
Our Team
We are a relatively young team, who enjoy spending time together both at work and outside of work. Despite the challenges of 2020/2021, we were lucky enough to be able to keep the whole team together during that time. Our current team is…
Katy – The founding member of Custom Striping. Worked as a core team member for many years, whilst also adding a 2nd and 3rd baby to the mix. Now spends her time with side ventures, and working casually at the local primary school.
Ryan – The main point of contact via phone or email. Husband of Katy, started in the caravan/boat sticker and pinstripe industry in 2006, doing over 1000 installations a year after the market rebounded from the GFC in 2008. After ceasing subcontract installation work in 2012 to work full time producing the signage, the processes and products have continued to be adjusted according to the demands of the industry. Now spends his time managing accounts, suppliers, and doing the odd install for one-off customers.
Tiny (another Ryan) – Joined the team for 2 different stints over the years, before coming on as a full time employee and eventual factory and production manager in 2017. He is the core of the team. The name Tiny is one of those ironic ones; he’s a solid 2×4.
Allie – Wife of Tiny. Has also worked for us in 2 different stints. Very reliable, and will always help out where needed. Has fallen victim to being a fan of Taylor Swift, but if that’s the worst she has to offer, that’s not too bad! 🙂
Hayden – Brother of Allie. An absolute Mack truck when it comes to getting through the work load. You know things will get done in time if he is around. Fond of a morning boiled egg, followed by an early afternoon Pepsi Max.
Greg – One of our more recent additions, one of the nicest guys you will meet. Makes an effort to find something in common with everyone. He mostly runs our machinery that makes the pinstripe rolls, but also helps out with laminating and other duties, when required. If you have some time to kill, ask about Latvian culture…
Angus – The most recent addition to the team. Still learning our processes, but picks up the technology side of things really well, and has been a great addition to our team. Enjoys trying out different 7-Eleven treats in the airfryer, followed by a Pepsi Max or 3!
