Cyclone Custom Prints: Creative Solutions for Every Custom Printing Need

How One Cease-and-Desist Letter Transformed Austin and Lacy Jacobsen's Crisis into Harlan's Most Versatile Print Shop

Two weeks. That's how long Austin and Lacy Jacobsen had to enjoy their expensive new printer before everything changed.

They'd invested in high-end equipment to scale their thriving online business customizing minifigures—cleaning off original prints and adding custom designs, or creating entirely new characters on off-brand figures. Business was booming across eBay, Etsy, and Bonanza. The printer was supposed to help them keep up with demand.

Then came the cease-and-desist letter from a corporate manufacturer.

"My wife's like, well, what are we going to do with this expensive printer?" Austin recalls. "And I'm like, I guess we're doing promotional products now."

That moment of crisis became the foundation for what is now Cyclone Custom Prints, a comprehensive custom printing operation that has grown from a desperate pivot into one of Harlan's most versatile creative businesses.

Learning to Print Everything

The transition wasn't immediate or easy. The Jacobsens started by buying out smaller print companies, acquiring their vinyl cutters, screen printing equipment, and client lists along with the most valuable asset—knowledge of how different printing processes work.

What began as necessity evolved into mastery driven by both opportunity and customer demand. Their original UV printer could handle hard surfaces like wood, metal, plastic, and glass, but their path forward came from unexpected directions. When they acquired equipment for pop signage—those promotional posters you see in retail stores—it came with vinyl cutters. "I was like, well, we got the vinyl cutter and a bunch of vinyl. I might as well figure out how to do that," Austin recalls.

Customers Led the Way

The biggest expansion came from customers themselves. "We had so many people come to us for business cards and some signage and flyers and posters. They're like, hey, can you do shirts?" Austin remembers. "And we're like, no, at first. We were saying, no, you know, go to these other places, and then eventually it just got to the point where it's like, okay, we have some of the equipment to do it."

That decision to invest in screen printing equipment and heat presses opened up custom t-shirts, employee uniforms, and the apparel side that now represents a significant portion of their business. Austin has watched the same customer pattern repeat dozens of times since: "Most of our customers come to us because they want a logo," where Lacy's graphic design expertise creates visual identities. "From there, they'll usually end up with ordering some business cards, flyers, pamphlets, folders... Then T-shirts and tumblers... Then we move on to signage."

The Reality of 1.4 Million Products

Today, through their network of partner companies and expanding in-house capabilities, Cyclone Custom Prints has access to over 1.4 million different products. But as Austin is quick to explain, "I don't have these 1.4 million products in stock on hand right now. They're at a warehouse somewhere in the U.S." The company maintains inventory of high-demand items like tumblers, mugs, and sticker materials for quick turnaround, while coordinating with distributors for specialty orders.

Different printing processes also mean different timelines. Digital printing for vinyl and paper products might be ready in a day or two, while screen printing is a more involved process and takes more time. UV printing on hard surfaces involves multiple layers, especially when printing on dark materials where white base coats are needed so colors show up properly.

From their custom-built garage facility, Austin and Lacy now handle about 75-80% of orders themselves, with vinyl work and vehicle graphics representing roughly half their business. Beyond business customers, they serve personal needs too—graduation yard signs, wedding koozies, family reunion t-shirts, and even photo printing for customers who want physical prints in an increasingly digital world.

Building Trust Through Reliability

Operating in a smaller community shaped how Austin and Lacy approach every aspect of their business. In Harlan, your reputation travels fast, and personal relationships matter more than corporate credentials.

"You have to be more reliable, more trustworthy," Austin emphasizes. "A lot of our business comes from people that have worked with other companies in the surrounding areas, and they just haven't been happy with the results or communication or the timeframe."

This means being upfront about processes and realistic about timelines. When larger projects need to be outsourced to maintain competitive pricing, Austin ensures customers understand the arrangement while guaranteeing the same quality and service standards.

The personal approach extends to delivery and installation. Austin handles these personally throughout their service area—from Harlan to Sioux City, Des Moines, and the Omaha area—not just for quality control, but for the relationships it builds. By batching delivery routes and dedicating whole days to installations, he maximizes production time while ensuring every project meets their standards.

Creative Freedom and Inspiration

What sets Cyclone Custom Prints apart isn't just their technical capabilities—it's Austin's passion for creative problem-solving, especially in custom vehicle graphics. Unlike mass-produced decals, every project requires considering the vehicle's color, the owner's personality, and how all the elements work together.

His own Bronco serves as a rolling portfolio: one side features Monument Valley, Canyonlands, and Bryce Canyon rendered in black vinyl from photos the couple took during their travels. The other side showcases Olympic National Park's mountains, ocean, and rainforests. Each design is built piece by piece, considering how the artwork interacts with the vehicle's lines.

"Where the stuff we do, you're not seeing it anywhere else," Austin notes.

This creative approach is fueled by their love of travel. Having visited 37 national parks across 40 states, Austin credits their experiences with keeping their creative perspective fresh. "I think a lot of the travel keeps us creative. We see different things, how different people do different things."

The freedom their business provides—to shift between vinyl work, signage projects, and installations depending on energy and interest—keeps the work engaging. "If I get tired of doing vinyl work one day, I can just flip my schedule around," Austin explains.

Looking Forward

Seven years after that pivotal cease-and-desist letter, Austin and Lacy have built something neither their original minifigure business nor a traditional print shop could have become. They've created a business that adapts to whatever their community needs, backed by technical expertise and creative vision that keeps evolving.

Their success demonstrates what's possible when necessity meets opportunity, and when business owners choose to see challenges as chances to grow. In a world of mass production and impersonal online ordering, Cyclone Custom Prints offers something increasingly rare: the ability to create exactly what you need, with personal attention that builds lasting relationships.

"If you can think of it, we can probably print it," Austin says. "And if we can't, I know somebody who can."

It's a philosophy born from crisis, refined through experience, and delivered with the kind of comprehensive service that turns first-time logo requests into long-term partnerships.

Ready to bring your ideas to life? Call Austin Jacobsen at 712-269-4899 or email Austin@CycloneCustomPrints.com to discuss your custom printing needs. Connect with Cyclone Custom Prints on Facebook to see examples of their work and stay updated on their latest projects. From business startup packages to personal celebrations, Cyclone Custom Prints is ready to help you create something unique that stands out from the crowd.