Hey There!
We're Team Smart Set.
At Smart Set, every printed piece passes through human hands. Our work is shaped by a team of skilled printmakers, designers, and problem solvers who care deeply about craft, collaboration, and community. We are not a faceless production facility. We are a collective of Minneapolis artists and print professionals who take pride in what we make and how we make it. Our smart set team brings together technical expertise, creative intuition, and decades of combined experience in print, design, and production. Some of us come from fine art backgrounds. Others have spent years in commercial printing, bookmaking, or graphic design. What connects us is a shared respect for paper, process, and the people we work with. We believe great printing is not just about machines. It is about judgment, attention, and care. That is why we take time to understand each project, troubleshoot potential issues, and make thoughtful decisions that elevate the final result. When you work with us, you are working with real people who are invested in your success
Meet Your Makers
Principal & Owner Kevin Brown is the owner of Smart Set Community Printing and has spent more than three decades working in the craft of print. Originally from Michigan, Kevin came to Minnesota to attend Bemidji State University and eventually found his way into the Twin Cities print community, where he has built a career centered on thoughtful production and collaboration. Senior Designer & Creative Technician Jessi is a senior designer and creative technician at Smart Set, where she works at the intersection of design, craft, and production. She studied Graphic Design and Interactive Media at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, earning a BFA along with a minor in Spanish. Before joining Smart Set in 2017, she worked in the art department of a garment decorator and screen-printing shop, where she developed a strong foundation in translating design concepts into physical products. Accounting Karen Brown manages accounting at Smart Set while maintaining a long-standing practice as a working artist. She studied at Pratt Institute in New York in the 1980s, where she was part of Carnival Knowledge, a political arts collective advocating for women’s reproductive rights through creative activism. Digital Print Specialist Abby Engle is a digital print specialist at Smart Set and an artist trained in drawing and painting. They earned a BFA in Fine Arts from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), where they focused on building strong foundations in observation, composition, and visual storytelling. At Smart Set, Abby enjoys working on projects that combine multiple print processes, especially bookbinding and die cutting. They are drawn to the hands-on, problem-solving side of print production, where design ideas become physical objects through careful craft and experimentation. Digital Print Lead Ngoc works as a print specialist at Smart Set, bringing together a background in illustration and a deep interest in the craft of print production. She studied Biological and Pre-Medical Illustration at Iowa State University before continuing her education at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), where she focused on Comic Art. While at MCAD, Ngoc worked at the school’s Service Bureau, gaining early experience in professional print production.
Kevin · he/him
Jessi • she/her
Karen • she/her
Abby • they/them
Ngoc • she/they
Our team operates as a collaborative studio rather than a rigid assembly line. This means we communicate openly, problem solve together, and bring multiple perspectives to each project. In practice, that looks like: This approach allows us to balance efficiency with care. We move projects forward, but we never rush at the expense of quality. Many printers focus solely on speed or volume. We prioritize craft. That does not mean we are slow or impractical. It means we are intentional. Our smart set team is trained to notice details that make a difference, such as: These decisions may seem small, but together they determine whether a project feels merely printed or truly well made. Because so many of us are artists ourselves, we understand what it means to put your work into the world. We know how personal that process can feel, whether you are printing a zine, a portfolio, an exhibition piece, or a product for your business. As Minneapolis artists, we are part of the same creative ecosystem as many of our clients. We show up to local markets, exhibitions, events, and community spaces. We care about supporting other makers, designers, and small businesses in the city. That perspective shapes how we treat every project. We approach your work with respect, curiosity, and care, not just as a job to complete but as something meaningful to you. While you will see friendly faces at the counter, much of the magic happens behind the scenes. Our team includes people who specialize in different parts of the process, such as: Each role matters. Together, we make sure your project moves smoothly from file to finished print. The reason our smart set team is so central to this page is simple. Your experience and your final printed piece depend on the people behind the presses. When you work with us, you get: We believe this human centered approach is what sets us apart from purely transactional print services. If you are ready to start a project, you can upload your files or reach out through our Contact Us page. If you are still exploring ideas, we are happy to talk through your vision and help you find the best path forward.How we work together
Craft, not shortcuts
Artists at the heart of our shop
Our roles behind the scenes
Why our team matters to your project
Want to work with us?
