Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Crespo.
Hi Carlos, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving started in mid-2018 as a small mall kiosk in front of Things Remembered. Back then, we had just a photo mug press and a basic heat press for shirts. It was humble—just a few pieces of equipment, a tiny footprint, and a big dream to bring something unique and personal to shoppers.
Over the next seven and a half years, word spread quickly. Customers loved seeing their ideas come to life right in front of them, and we kept growing… and growing. Today, we’ve expanded into a 6,700 sq. ft. superstore inside SouthPark Mall—large enough to fit five Things Remembered stores inside it. When Things Remembered closed all of its retail locations nationwide in late 2022, it created a huge gap in the market. We stepped into that space, and since then, we’ve become the largest personalized gift store in the entire United States, with over 2,500 in-stock items and thousands more available through our catalogs.
One thing that really surprises people—and gets them excited—is that customers can even bring in their own items for engraving or personalization. Whether it’s a flask, tumbler, frame, knife, a family heirloom, or something meaningful they already own, we can transform it into a one-of-a-kind keepsake. That’s something big chains never offered, and it’s become one of the things we’re most known for.
Our journey has really been about listening to the community and building a place where people can create gifts that truly mean something. What started as a tiny kiosk has grown into a destination store that serves all of Northeast Ohio and beyond. And we’re still expanding—from laser engraving and UV printing to apparel, wedding items, 3D crystals, Cleveland souvenirs, business-to-business services, and more.
Every day, people walk in and say, “I had no idea this place was THIS big,” and that’s exactly why we’re here—to show just how special personalized gifting can be when you bring creativity, technology, and customer service together in one place.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—far from it. Growing Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving into what it is today came with a lot of challenges. When we started as a small kiosk, we didn’t have the space, the equipment, or the resources we have now. Everything was a learning process. We were figuring out how to run machines, manage inventory, keep up with demand, and still provide the kind of personalized experience customers expect from a custom gift shop.
One of the biggest challenges came during our rapid growth period. As we expanded, we invested in new technology—heat presses, lasers, UV printers, engraving equipment—and like any small business, things didn’t always work perfectly. We dealt with equipment breakdowns, delays, repairs, and unexpected downtime. There were stretches where a machine would be down for weeks or even months, and we had to find creative ways to keep production moving while still taking care of customers.
Another major challenge was stepping into the market after Things Remembered closed nationwide. On one hand, it opened a huge opportunity, but on the other hand, it meant we suddenly became the go-to store for thousands of people who relied on personalized gifts. We had to scale up quickly—more staff, more equipment, more space, more processes. That kind of growth doesn’t happen without bumps in the road.
But every challenge pushed us to get better. We learned to troubleshoot machines ourselves, build smarter workflows, strengthen our vendor relationships, and create systems that could support a 6,700 sq. ft. superstore. Looking back, those struggles were the reason we grew into the largest personalized gift store in the country.
We’ve been impressed with Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving is a one-stop destination for personalized gifts, custom products, and meaningful keepsakes. We’re located inside SouthPark Mall in Strongsville, and our 6,700 sq. ft. showroom is packed with more than 2,500 in-stock items—from tumblers, drinkware, and photo gifts to plaques, awards, jewelry, clothing, and Cleveland souvenirs. If someone needs a personalized gift for any occasion, chances are we can make it the same day or the next day.
But what truly sets us apart is our range of equipment and capabilities. We’re not just a gift shop—we’re a full production studio. We offer:
Laser engraving (wood, metal, acrylic, leather, glass, and more)
• UV printing in full color
• Apparel decoration (vinyl, DTF, heat transfer)
• Custom tumblers and drinkware
• 3D crystal engraving
• Wedding gifts and décor
• Bibles, portfolios, planners, and leather goods
• Business-to-business printing, awards, and signage
• Custom Cleveland souvenirs
And thousands of special-order items through our catalogs
One of the biggest things we’re known for—the thing customers get the most excited about—is that you can bring in your own items for personalization. Whether it’s a tumbler, flask, knife, frame, tool, jewelry piece, or something sentimental that already means something to you, we can engrave or customize it. That’s a service most stores don’t offer, and it has become a core part of who we are.
What makes us different?
1. Size & Selection
We’re the largest personalized gift store in the country, large enough to fit five Things Remembered stores inside. You can walk in and actually see and touch the items—not just order online and hope for the best.
2. Speed & Convenience
Most items can be personalized the same day or within 24 hours. We know life gets busy, and last-minute gifts happen.
3. In-House Creativity & Custom Design
We don’t rely on generic templates. Every project can be tailored—names, dates, logos, handwriting, photos, designs… If you can imagine it, we can create it.
4. Quality & Craftsmanship
We use professional-grade lasers, printers, and equipment. Everything is done by trained staff in-store, ensuring clean engraving, sharp printing, and top-notch results.
5. Experience & Customer Service
We guide customers through the process. Whether it’s someone designing a gift for a baby shower or a company ordering 200 awards, we walk them through every detail.
What we’re most proud of
We’re proud of the fact that Picture This grew from a tiny kiosk into a major destination for personalized gifts—not through advertising, but through word of mouth, community support, and people sharing their experiences. We’re proud that families trust us for weddings, memorials, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, sports events, corporate awards, and all the important moments in their lives.
What we want people to know
If you’re in Northeast Ohio and you need something personalized—fast, high-quality, and truly meaningful—Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving is the place to go. We’re not just selling products; we’re helping people create memories, gifts with meaning, and items that last a lifetime.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Absolutely. If you’ve never visited Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving, we’d love for you to stop by and experience the store in person. Most people are genuinely shocked when they walk in for the first time—they don’t expect a 6,700 sq. ft. personalized-gift superstore inside the mall. Seeing the equipment, the displays, the thousands of items we carry, and the custom work happening right in front of you… it’s something you can’t fully appreciate until you’re here.
We also encourage readers to tell their friends and family about us. So much of our growth has come from people sharing their experience—posting a photo of a gift they made, tagging us on social media, or simply saying, “You have to check this place out.” Word of mouth has been a huge part of our success, and we’re grateful every time someone recommends us.
And for media outlets, bloggers, influencers, and community storytellers—we’d love to have you come in and take a tour, film, or feature the store. We truly are a hidden gem in Northeast Ohio, and there’s nothing else quite like us. Covering Picture This helps more people discover where they can get meaningful, custom gifts made locally, quickly, and with incredible quality.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, honoring a loved one, planning a wedding, gearing up for sports season, or simply looking for something thoughtful—Picture This Personalized Gifts & Engraving is a place where your ideas come to life.
We hope to see you soon.
Pricing:
- Photo mugs: Around $12–$30
- Photo slates: $25–$100, depending on size
- Awards, Plaques & Business Services $60–$500
- 3D Crystal Engraving 60–$600
- Personalization & Engraving $10–$100
Contact Info:
- Website: http//:picturethispersonalizedgifts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/picturethis.personalized/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/picturethispersonalizedgiftsandengraving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@picturethispersonalizedgif3979
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/picture-this-personalized-gifts-engraving-things-remembered-strongsville
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/picturethis520
