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Inkthreadable Cofounders Named in Forbes 30 Under 30 List

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“From kitchen table to global print-on-demand; this is our story.”

We’re absolutely thrilled (and still pinching ourselves) to share some incredible news: Inkthreadable’s co-founders, husband-and-wife team Amy and Alex Cunliffe, have been named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe, Class of 2025 in the Retail & Ecommerce category.

To be recognised by Forbes alongside so many inspirational people across the continent is a massive honour, and a true reflection of how far Inkthreadable has come since our early days.

Over a decade of building something different

This recognition feels extra special because our journey didn’t begin in a boardroom or with a big investment—it started with a couple of teenagers selling printed t-shirts and mugs from our family home in Lancashire.

Back in 2010, we were just two high school students experimenting with a heat press in a spare room.

In 2013, Inkthreadable brand was officially born. We dropped out of college, committed to the business full-time, and began building the UK’s most flexible print-on-demand platform. We had a vision: to build a business that allowed independent brands to sell custom products without holding stock, all while prioritising sustainability.

Fast forward to 2025 and we’re now a team of around 30 people, operating from a large facility in Blackburn, powering thousands of independent brands across the UK and globally.

Prioritising sustainability before it was cool

One of our proudest achievements? Removing plastic from our operations long before it became the industry norm. When we couldn’t find suitable packaging on the market, we developed our own eco-friendly alternatives, because doing business responsibly has always been non-negotiable for us.

Our mission has never just been about printing tees and hoodies. It's about empowering creators to grow their own brands without waste, without compromise, and with as little impact on the planet as possible. We’ve built a print-on-demand that doesn’t cost the earth.

What’s next?

This Forbes milestone is a moment of reflection, but also motivation. We’re more energised than ever to continue innovating in the print-on-demand space, building tools that make it easier for our customers to succeed, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable e-commerce.

To every Inkthreadable customer, team member, supplier, and supporter who’s been part of our journey, thank you! We couldn’t have done it without you 💛
And to anyone building something bold from the ground up: keep going.

We’re proof that big dreams from small towns can grow into something extraordinary.


Amy & Alex Cunliffe
Amy & Alex Cunliffe
Cofounders

Want to feature this story?

If you’re a journalist, editor, or podcast host and would like to cover our Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition or chat about sustainable ecommerce, drop Alex a line at alex@inkthreadable.co.uk

Let’s celebrate conscious retail, Northern grit, and creative entrep­re­ne­urship at its best.

Inkthreadable

MEET INKTHREADABLE

We're a family-run business, but we pack a lot of punch! Our team is made up of expert printers, graphic designers and the most friendly customer support team you'll ever meet (we are from Lancashire, after all). Founded in 2013 by co-founders Alex & Amy, Inkthreadable has been built from the ground up. We've already fulfilled over 1.8 million orders, and we're ready to fulfil yours too!

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