Brandon Lee, former owner and current president of By Design Publishing Inc., a Hayden Lake-based publisher of specialty magazines, has launched another new venture, called Digital Lizard, that already employs 18 and is landing sizable contracts.


Digital Lizard prints postcards, newsletters, fliers, and other promotional materials that it can customize with different names, addresses, messages, and graphics without stopping the print run, Lee says. He calls the service personalized custom printing, and says its known in the industry as on-demand printing.


We can literally print 5,000 ultrahigh-quality pieces, each with a personalized message, in a single uninterrupted run, he says. The company also provides letter insertion, folding, and e-mail marketing services.


Lee says he expects Digital Lizard, which he launched last month, to grow rapidly. The company this month landed a $1.5 million contract with Re/Max International Inc., the worldwide real estate company, Lee says, adding, I estimate this years revenues will be $7 million.


The companys customers for print and digital marketing services already include casinos, car dealers, hotels, and banks, he says.


Digital Lizard operates six high-speed presses in a 12,000-square-foot facility at 11862 Tracey Road, in Hayden Lake. Lee expects that the company will hire five to 10 more employees by the end of this year.


Most likely, we will be looking for more space within the next year, he adds.


Lee, who is staying on as president of By Design Publishing, says he chose the name Digital Lizard for his new venture because he wants the company to be fast, agile, and chameleon-like. Bill Wieners is the new companys general manager.


In 2001, Lee launched By Design Publishing, which produces custom magazines for companies that include hotel, real estate, and personnel services. By Design Publishings annual revenues grew to more than $10 million and it employed 80 workers at the time Lee sold it to Network Communications Inc., of Lawrenceville, Ga., last year.


Contact Mike McLean at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at mikem@spokanejournal.com.