Impact Designs: A Story of Creativity, Community, and Lasting Brand Impact in Martin County
When you think about businesses that help shape the visual identity of a community, one name stands tall in Martin County: Impact Designs. From fleet vehicle wraps to branded uniforms, signs, promotional items, and more, Rick and Cay Batchelor have built a shop that is as much about trust and consistency as it is about creativity. Their journey is a story of entrepreneurship, resilience, and a deep commitment to making businesses look their very best.
This is not just the story of a sign and graphic works shop — it’s a story about the American dream, about what it means to invest in a community, and about how design and branding can elevate businesses of every size.
The Early Years: An Entrepreneurial Spirit in Homestead
The journey of Impact Designs starts with Rick Batchelor, a self-described “color master” who has always understood that in business, details matter. Rick’s entrepreneurial career began in Homestead, Florida, in September of 1992. Like so many successful small businesses, his beginnings were humble: a trailer on a piece of land along US-1.
From that modest setup, business started to grow. The key wasn’t just in what Rick offered, but how he offered it. He understood from the very beginning that when you commit to quality without compromise, customers will return — and more importantly, they’ll tell others. That reputation formed the foundation for everything to come.
A New Chapter in Stuart, Florida
In 2002, Rick and his wife Cay made a bold move north, settling in Stuart, Florida. It was there that they planted the seeds for what would become a cornerstone of the local business community: Impact Designs.
For 17 years, Impact Designs operated out of their location on Jack James Road. Businesses across Martin County came to know them as the go-to source for graphics, signs, and vehicle wraps. Eventually, they outgrew that location, and about five years ago, they moved into the distinctive A-frame building on Colorado Street in Stuart, where they continue to operate today.
Their shop is more than just a workspace. It’s a hub of creativity, community connection, and technical innovation — a place where ideas come to life and brands become more visible.
Innovation at the Core: From Printers to Pantones
One of the turning points for Impact Designs came in 2004, when Rick purchased their first large-format printer. At the time, this was one of the only machines of its kind in Florida. The investment was significant, but it paid off in a big way. Suddenly, Impact Designs could offer services that few others could match.
That early adoption of new technology established their reputation as a business that stayed ahead of the curve. From fleet vehicles and window graphics to door signs and banners, Rick made sure his clients always had access to high-quality, eye-catching visuals that elevated their brands.
But what truly sets Rick apart is his obsession with color accuracy. He calls himself a “color master,” and with good reason. In branding, matching Pantones is not optional — it’s essential. Rick’s insistence on perfect brand consistency has made Impact Designs a trusted partner for local businesses. Customers know that when they order from Impact, their logos, colors, and designs will print exactly as they should — no deviations, no shortcuts, no cost-cutting compromises.
That attention to detail has built loyalty that spans decades. In many ways, Rick has become the quiet guardian of Martin County’s visual brand identity, ensuring that local businesses always look professional, consistent, and polished.
The Family Business: Cay Joins the Team
Though Cay had always been a supportive partner behind the scenes, she officially joined the business in 2015. Her involvement marked another turning point for Impact Designs, allowing the company to expand its services beyond graphics and signage.
With Cay’s leadership, Impact Designs added apparel and promotional products to their offerings. This meant that local businesses could now come to one trusted source for everything from uniforms and t-shirts to hats, bags, and branded giveaways. For clients, this expanded capability was a game-changer. No longer did they need to coordinate with multiple vendors — Impact Designs became the one-stop shop for all things branding.
Serving Fellow MCBE Members and the Local Community
One of the things that makes Impact Designs such a special part of Martin County is its connection to the local business community. As active members of the Martin County Business Exchange (MCBE), Rick and Cay work hand-in-hand with fellow entrepreneurs to help them build their businesses.
Some of their most notable clients include:
- Travis Pest Control – A fellow MCBE member and one of Impact Designs’ largest accounts. Impact provides uniforms, truck graphics, promotional items, and print materials for Travis Pest Control, helping the company maintain a strong and consistent brand presence.
- Masterpiece Design – Known for their work in high-end design and build projects, Masterpiece trusts Impact for their signage and promotional graphics.
- Water Pointe Realty – Real estate is a brand-driven business, and Impact ensures that Water Pointe’s materials always reflect professionalism.
- Lush Brush Painting – Another MCBE member who relies on Impact for both branding and promotional support.
- Sharkey Air – A name in the HVAC world that benefits from Impact’s expertise in vehicle wraps and promotional materials.
Through these relationships, Impact Designs has become a trusted partner not just for individual businesses, but for the business community as a whole.
Technology That Keeps Them Ahead
Impact Designs continues to invest in new technology, ensuring they remain on the cutting edge of the industry. Two of their newest additions include:
1. 64” Dye-Sublimation Printer
This powerhouse allows them to create custom designs on everything from shirts and bags to license plates and specialty items. Unlike traditional screen printing, dye-sublimation doesn’t require layers of paint that need to dry — making it perfect for Florida’s climate, where quick turnaround and lightweight, breathable uniforms are a must.
2. DTF (Direct-to-Fabric) Printer
The DTF machine opens up even more possibilities for custom apparel and promotional products. From one-off items to large runs, this technology provides high-quality prints directly onto fabric, expanding what Impact Designs can offer their clients.
These machines not only enhance their production capabilities, they also allow Impact Designs to continue delivering the innovation and reliability that customers have come to expect.
The Creative Talent Behind the Scenes
Great machines are only as good as the people who run them, and Impact Designs is fortunate to have a phenomenal graphic artist on their team. This artist specializes in line drawings and has built a reputation for creating stunning graphics, particularly in the world of marine branding.
Luxury charter boats and smaller vessels alike have turned to Impact for custom shirts, towels, hats, and boat graphics. In a coastal community like Stuart, this expertise is invaluable. Impact Designs has tapped into a niche market that blends artistry with practicality, creating branded items that not only look great but also help charter companies stand out.
What Impact Designs Can Do for You
The services offered by Impact Designs are vast, covering nearly every corner of branding and visual design. Some of their specialties include:
- Vehicle Graphics & Wraps – Fleet vehicles, trucks, and cars that act as mobile billboards.
- Uniforms & Apparel – From polos to performance shirts, dye-sublimation and DTF ensure comfort and quality.
- Menus & Print Pieces – Perfect for restaurants and local service businesses.
- Promotional Items – Bags, mugs, license plates, and countless branded giveaways.
- Banners & Signs – Both large and small-scale signage for businesses and events.
- Tents & Event Displays – Branded materials that make your business stand out at trade shows or community events.
- Marine Graphics – Custom line drawings and graphics for boats and related apparel.
If you need it branded, chances are Impact Designs can create it.
Why Impact Designs Stands Out
In an age where it’s easy to order generic signs or apparel online, what makes Impact Designs special is the personal connection, local expertise, and relentless commitment to quality.
- Consistency in Branding – Pantone-perfect color matching ensures your brand is always represented accurately.
- Local Knowledge – As long-time members of the community, Rick and Cay understand what local businesses need to succeed.
- Innovation – From large-format printers in 2004 to the latest DTF technology, they’ve never stopped evolving.
- Community Connection – Their work with fellow MCBE members and local businesses makes them an essential part of the Martin County business ecosystem.
Impact Designs is not just a vendor — they’re a partner invested in the success of every client.
The Future of Impact Designs
As they look to the future, Rick and Cay remain committed to the principles that have guided them since the beginning: quality, consistency, and community. They continue to expand their services, invest in new technology, and build relationships that strengthen the local business landscape.
For Martin County businesses, Impact Designs represents the perfect blend of small-town service with big-league capabilities. Whether you’re a startup looking to make your mark, or an established business in need of a refresh, Impact Designs has the tools, talent, and passion to make it happen.
Final Thoughts
The story of Impact Designs is, at its core, the story of dedicated entrepreneurs who took a trailer on US-1 in Homestead and turned it into a trusted name in Martin County. From Rick’s mastery of color to Cay’s expansion into apparel and promo products, to the cutting-edge machines and talented artists on their team, every chapter of this journey speaks to a commitment to excellence.
Businesses don’t just need signs or uniforms — they need impact. They need branding that tells their story, earns customer trust, and keeps them top of mind in a crowded market. That’s exactly what Impact Designs delivers.
So the next time you see a fleet truck with a perfectly wrapped design, a uniform that looks sharp and professional, or a banner that pops with color at a local event, there’s a good chance it came from the team at Impact Designs.
For more information about how Impact Designs can help your business, reach out to Cay Batchelor and discover the difference that true branding expertise can make.