Ink and Essence, a leading provider of Celtic designs on garments for Ladies, juniors, children and men. Our designs are derived from ancient works of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and other Celtic influences dating back to 3500 B.C. We incorporate early pagan, Druidic and Christian elements as well as the myths and legends of the Celtic lands to provide cutting edge designs. Each garments comes with a card relating the story behind the design, if Gaelic appears it is translated and a pronunciation is provided. Garments and accessories are of highest quality, very attractive and offered in a wide variety of colors, cuts and styles.

          Celtic and other designs are added seasonally. For that reason, check back frequently to see what’s new and what you can pick up on closeout at a bargain price.  We also offer extensive custom screen printing services and are proud that our employees are members of UNITE HERE!, a screen printers’ union. We also work with a union tee shirt manufacturer, Lifewear, that is less than three blocks from us. It makes a nice one stop opportunity for those who prefer to buy American made and printed garments. If you have custom printing needs, give us a call at 610-970-6378. Speak with Warren about design needs or with James about production concerns; but anyone who answers the phone will treat you nicely, so come on ahead and call.

In July of 1999 James Downam and Warren Holohan opened the doors of Ink and Essence with a vision of providing high quality imprinted garments bearing Celtic, Christian and humorous designs. Design was to be the product of Warren with James providing the printing and production skills necessary to produce the garments. Seven years, three locations (each successively larger), and a dedicated staff of six people later, Ink and Essence has become one of the most sought after providers of these designs in the northeastern United States attending Celtic festivals from New England to below the Mason Dixon line and west to Ohio.

            Besides strenuous research and meticulous attention to detail in our designs another characteristic that sets Ink and Essence apart is our practice of attaching hang tags to each garment that tells the story behind the design. Whether an heroic warrior queen like Maeve of Connaught, the goddess Macha (called Epona on the continent) or an explanation of anam cara or the aes dana, the story is told in enough detail to whet the appetite to learn more, or at least let you know what you’re wearing. Gaelic is translated and explained along with pronunciation key so that when someone asks you what Tir inna m Beo is you not only tell them it’s the land of the living, you can pronounce it correctly and amaze your friends with your knowledge.

            Another unique offering from Ink and Essence is the selection of stylish garments James has assembled. Each season he scours the newest offerings and selects well made, top quality, flattering fashions to enhance our designs. He’s assembled a wonderful selection of Junior fashions as well as those for Misses, children and, last but not least, men.

            We are a small business, intently focused on providing higher than average quality products and workmanship at a reasonable price. For that reason we do not hesitate to offer a 100% guarantee on all our goods for any defect in manufacture or printing quality. We’ve done that since 1997 when we opened our doors and will continue to do so.

            Our shop is in Pottstown, PA. If you should find yourself in that area (northwest of Philadelphia and south of Allentown) please stop in to say hello and let us know how you like our products. If you can’t come by, send us an e-mail, we’d love to hear what you think.