The company was started in 1996 by Berta Sands and Helen Astarita, artists who were inspired by a hand-printed fabric while vacationing in Key West, Fla. After learning the hand-printing technique, the women quickly returned to the Bahamas, where they opened Bahama Hand Prints. In 2001, the company was purchased by Joie Lamare and Linda Brown, who still own it today. Les Williams, who studied hand printing with the original owner-artists, is the company's principal hand printer.
Bahama Hand Prints unveils its new collection in November. Every collection has a theme, which is usually centered around one key figure, such as a seahorse. These collections are composed of both vintage drawings that were created by Sands and Astarita, as well as new drawings from the company's artists and designers. Once a collection is unveiled, it is almost always a limited edition, with the exception of the Sea Treasure collection. This collection was originally printed in the 1970s and was brought back for the company's 40th anniversary in 2007.
Though Bahama Hand Prints theoretically could create any print because they are hand drawn by the printers, the company specializes in resort and beach wear. This means that most fabrics consist of bright, exotic colors mixed in with beach-related images, such as shells, starfish, coral, seahorses, tropical plants, leaves, trees and flowers. These prints commonly are sold to wholesale buyers who use them to make a variety of items. Hand Prints also makes its own items, such as dresses, tunics and tableware.
Those who have come to appreciate the fabrics, prints and items that come from Bahama Hand Prints can tour the facility while visiting the Bahamas. Hand Prints welcomes visitors between noon and 4 p.m. throughout the week. No appointment is necessary. The facility isn't much different from any other production warehouse, except that the printers working inside can teach visitors how the delicate task of hand printing is done. The facility and adjacent store are located inside the Island Traders Building Annex. If you're worried the facility may be closed, you can call Hand Prints ahead of time at (242) 394-4111.
Bahama Hand Prints fabrics can be seen throughout the Bahamas and United States. The company's prints are most commonly found at high-end boutiques and stores that specialize in Hawaiian or tropical prints. Florida, not surprisingly, has the most Bahama Hand Prints retailers, but these prints can be found as far West as Washington.
