What DKNG Studios does

DKNG Studios is a full-service graphic design and illustration studio founded in 2005 in Los Angeles, California by Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman, operating as DKNG Studios LLC. The studio specializes in limited edition screen-printed gig posters for the entertainment industry and has built a portfolio of brand illustration, packaging, branding, and custom illustration work for named clients including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, HBO, Nike, USPS, Heinz, In-N-Out, Harley-Davidson, Opendoor, AMC Theatres, and the United Nations. Core technical capabilities include multi-color silkscreen printing on specialty stock (rainbow foil, metallic foil, French Construction, French Pop-Tone, Kraft-Tone), Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop workflows, hand blind embossing, and proprietary tessellation pattern design where shapes serve double visual duty.

The business operates across five revenue streams: (1) gig poster commissions from musical artists (Dave Matthews Band, The National, 311), (2) direct-to-consumer sales of limited edition art prints and merchandise through the owned e-commerce storefront, (3) client design services billed on project quotes, (4) digital downloads of Adobe Illustrator texture and style packs (Mezzo, TONE, ALIVE!, Press), and (5) wholesale distribution through the Faire marketplace to 50+ galleries and stores across the US, Canada, Germany, UK, and Hong Kong. Physical print runs are typically 50-665 per edition, signed and numbered, with pricing ranging from $15-20 for digital downloads to $70-90 for larger art prints and quote-based fees for design services. Distribution also includes live event sales at SXSW and Flatstock, and direct artist/band channels for tour-specific posters.

The studio monetizes its craft through additional channels including educational content on Skillshare (four courses plus a 50-student limited ChromaCourse), an ongoing podcast on the Adventures In Design network, and institutional collaborations (e.g., Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation / Taliesin West). The team is sub-10 employees (effectively founder-led), the company is privately held with no external funding, and customer segments span music/entertainment (primary), consumer brands and corporate clients, art collectors, and creative freelancers. The 20th anniversary sale in 2026 indicates ongoing operations with consistent product cadence.

Name

DKNG Studios

Legal name

DKNG Studios LLC

Website

https://dkngstudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DKNG Studios is a Los Angeles-based graphic design and illustration studio founded in 2005, specializing in limited edition screen-printed gig posters, art prints, and brand illustration for entertainment and corporate clients. Distribution combines DTC e-commerce, wholesale (Faire), and digital downloads.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Graphic Design and Illustration Services

NAICS

Graphic Design Services (541430), Commercial Screen Printing (323113), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Content & Creative Studio for Creators (Concepting/Production) (MPAAAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD), Recorded Music Retail & D2C Merch Bundles (MPAIAAAF), Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ), Large-Format & Specialty Printing (Signage, Posters, Displays) (MPAJALAD)

Keywords

• Graphic design services
• Screen printed posters
• Limited edition art prints
• Brand illustration
• Packaging design

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Gig Poster Commissions: Original posters commissioned by performing artists and bands for concerts and live events. Sold as limited edition screen prints signed and numbered by DKNG. Primary revenue stream with roots in music/entertainment industry.
2. Art Prints and Merchandise Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of limited edition art prints, enamel pins, patches, greeting cards, and wrapping paper through their e-commerce store. Timed edition and limited run releases create scarcity and collector demand.
3. Client Design Services: Full-service graphic design and illustration services for entertainment industry clients, independent artists, and corporate brands. Services include identity development, print/poster design, custom illustration, packaging design, apparel design, and web design/development.
4. Digital Downloads: Software tools and design assets (Mezzo grain textures, graphic styles, halftone textures) sold as Adobe Illustrator file downloads with single-user licensing.
5. Wholesale Distribution: Bulk sales to retail partners through Faire marketplace, reaching 50+ galleries and stores across US, Canada, Germany, and UK. Products shipped in retail-ready packaging from Los Angeles, CA with 4-7 business day lead time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DKNG Studios is a full-service graphic design and illustration studio that designs and hand-produces limited edition silkscreen-printed gig posters and art prints, and delivers custom illustration, branding, packaging, apparel, and web design services primarily to entertainment-industry clients. The studio also sells branded merchandise (enamel pins, patches, greeting cards, wrapping paper, wooden poster hangers) and digital Adobe Illustrator texture and style packs (Mezzo, TONE, Alive!, Press) to consumers and other designers.

Product overview

DKNG Studios is a full-service graphic design and illustration studio founded in 2005, operated by the creative duo Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman. The company offers a diverse portfolio of products and services centered around screen-printed posters and art prints for the entertainment industry, alongside a growing line of consumer products. Core offerings include limited edition concert/event posters (particularly for musical artists like Dave Matthews Band, The National, and 311), original art print series (Horizons landscape series, BLOOM botanical series), enamel pins, patches, greeting cards, and wrapping paper. The studio has expanded into digital products including Adobe Illustrator texture packs (Mezzo grain textures, TONE halftone textures, graphic style packs) and online education through Skillshare. Services encompass packaging design (Almanac Beer, Heinz), brand illustration (Opendoor), branding, mural design, and USPS stamp design. Notable client partnerships include Disney, Harley-Davidson, HBO, Heinz, Marvel, Nike, USPS, and AMC Theatres. The studio operates from Los Angeles and sells products directly through their online store and wholesale via Faire marketplace.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stiicks: Solid wood magnetic poster hangers available in various finishes (Walnut, Oak, Black, White) in sizes from 13" to 25"

Products and services

• Limited Edition Screen-Printed Gig Posters Hand-printed multi-color silkscreen gig posters and event posters for musical artists and entertainment clients, typically 18" x 24" on specialty paper stocks including rainbow foil, metallic foil, and French Construction papers. Signed and numbered by DKNG; sold through the DKNG store, live events, and artist/band channels.
• Limited Edition Art Prints Original multi-color screen-printed art prints featuring landscapes, botanical illustrations, and themed series, printed on specialty paper stocks including French Construction, Pop-Tone, and Kraft-Tone papers. Sold through the DKNG store and gallery partners.
• Horizons Art Print Series Minimalist travel-inspired art print series featuring desert, beach, and mountain landscapes as three-color screen prints. Available in 18" x 24" or 11" x 14" sizes, with the larger size hand-embossed and signed by DKNG.
• BLOOM Art Print Series Botanical art print series featuring desert flora (Saguaro Bloom, Agave Bloom, Nopal Bloom) as three-color screen prints, each 16" x 20" on French Construction Timber Green paper with hand blind embossing. Limited edition of 100.
• Enamel Pins Hard and soft enamel pins featuring DKNG artwork, including Arcade Pins (retro arcade game machine themes), Horizons series (desert, beach, mountains), Camper, and Cyclist designs. Offered as individual pins and pin packs.
• Stiicks Magnetic Poster Hangers Solid wood magnetic hangers for displaying posters, available in 13", 17", 19", 21", and 25" sizes in Black Walnut, Oak, Flat Black, and Bright White finishes. Priced by size from $32.50 to $50.00.
• Embroidered Patches Embroidered patches featuring DKNG artwork designs, including Camper patch (2.5" with iron-on backing) and Cyclist patch (3" x 2").
• Holiday Wrapping Paper Gift wrapping paper featuring DKNG tessellation patterns. Six 19" x 27" matte finish sheets with two each of three animal designs (polar bears, turtle doves, reindeer), printed on FSC certified recycled stock.
• Letterpress Greeting Cards Letterpress greeting cards with blank interiors, available in Mountain Home, Desert Home, Beach Home, and Home for the Holidays themes. Printed with multiple ink colors including silver foil stamping on Neenah Cotton Ecru White 110lb cover stock.
• Mezzo Editable Grain Textures (Adobe Illustrator) Adobe Illustrator digital texture pack containing editable grain textures. Five-page AI file with live examples, usage instructions, sample cover art demos, and one-click graphic style application. Version 2 (Mezzo 2) includes Fine and Coarse texture sizes. Sold as a single-user license for up to two devices with future version updates included.
• TONE Editable Halftone Textures (Adobe Illustrator) Editable halftone texture pack for Adobe Illustrator, sold as a digital instant download for creating halftone effects in design projects.
• Alive! Editable Graphic Styles (Adobe Illustrator) Editable graphic style pack for Adobe Illustrator featuring animated/gif-ready graphic styles for quick application to design projects.
• Press - Live Letterpress Stamp Effects (Adobe Illustrator) Digital download of editable Adobe Illustrator stamp textures featuring live letterpress stamp effects.
• Packaging Design Services Custom packaging design for consumer products including beer labels, food packaging, and retail products. Notable clients include Almanac Beer Co. (beer box, Dogpatch Sour, Peach Galaxy, Tropical Galaxy) and Heinz (Saucemerica campaign packets).
• Brand Illustration Services Custom illustration and visual identity development for brands. Includes icon systems, hero illustrations, spot illustrations, and brand style guidelines. Notable client: Opendoor (real estate illustration system).
• Branding Services Full-service brand identity development including logo design, visual identity systems, and brand guidelines for corporate and entertainment clients.
• Mural Design Services Large-scale illustration murals for commercial spaces. Notable project: 50-foot wide isometric mural for AEC Advisors NYC office featuring architecture, infrastructure, and hidden easter eggs.
• Skillshare Design Classes and ChromaCourse Online design education courses through Skillshare including Vector Illustration for Merch with DKNG, Mastering Adobe Illustrator, Geometric Pattern Design, and Creative Business Essentials for Freelancers, plus the four-week immersive ChromaCourse with limited enrollment of 50 students, live Q&As, and personalized feedback.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ retail locations across US, Canada, Germany, and UK through wholesale partnerships
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Spoke ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2024Art print collaboration for Frank Lloyd Wright Pearce House exhibition at Taliesin West UNESCO World Heritage site in Scottsdale, AZ. Prints available online from Spoke Art after exhibition concludes.
• LecoursDesignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2024Collaborated with LecoursDesign on AEC Advisors office mural project. LecoursDesign designed the office space and rebrand, and DKNG illustrated the panoramic 50' wide isometric mural.
• OpendoorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2022Complete brand illustration system development including one-color icons, full color icons, spot illustrations, and hero illustrations for website, mobile apps, and customer touchpoints. Worked with Opendoor team to develop style guidelines and ongoing illustration library.
• SkillsharecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 January 2022Online learning community partnership for educational content. DKNG offers multiple classes including Mastering Adobe Illustrator, Creative Business Essentials for freelancers, and geometric pattern design. Four-week immersive ChromaCourses with limited enrollment (50 students), live Q&As, and personalized feedback on assignments.
• Almanac Beer Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2021Ongoing packaging design partnership for beer labels and seasonal releases. Projects include Holiday Beer Box, Dogpatch Sour (first tessellation pattern attempt), Tropical Galaxy, and Peach Galaxy. Multiple year collaboration spanning 2020-2021.
• AMC TheatresminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 November 2021Exclusive limited edition foil art print partnership for Ghostbusters: Afterlife. 1,000 hand-numbered 18" x 24" four-color screen prints on rainbow holographic foil paper, with first 100 signed by Dan Aykroyd.
• FairecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale marketplace partnership enabling DKNG products to reach 50+ retail locations globally. Retailers order through Faire with $100 off first order incentive and free shipping for one year. All wholesale products ship from Los Angeles, CA with 4-7 business day lead time in retail-ready packaging.
• The Frank Lloyd Wright FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExhibition hosting partnership for Frank Lloyd Wright Pearce House art print at Taliesin West UNESCO World Heritage site. First time showing of DKNG's architectural illustration work at Wright's iconic property.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Studio Number One: Shepard Fairey's Los Angeles design studio producing illustration, branding, and screen printed posters with comparable entertainment industry pedigree. Larger established brand with broader commercial portfolio.
• Instrument: Portland-based creative agency producing brand identity, digital products, and design systems for enterprise clients (similar to DKNG's Opendoor-style engagements). Larger, broader agency model serving similar client profiles.
• Mondo: Austin-based collectible movie and music poster company at significantly larger scale. Operates in the same limited edition entertainment print category but with broader catalog, licensing infrastructure, and gallery presence.
• Manual: Portland-based full-service creative studio offering brand identity, packaging, and digital design. Comparable as a full-service design studio serving consumer brands, though at larger scale and without DKNG's screen print specialization.

Direct peers

• Spoke Art: San Francisco art gallery featuring limited edition screen prints and gig poster art for entertainment brands. Existing DKNG partner; operates a closely overlapping gallery/retail channel and collector community.
• Ken Taylor: Australian gig poster artist with comparable aesthetic and limited edition print model. Direct competitor for the same collecting community and music/entertainment commissions.
• Methane Studios: Illustration and design studio producing commercial and entertainment artwork with screen print sensibility. Comparable in deliverable mix (illustration, screen printed art, brand work) and target client profile.
• Aesthetic Apparatus: Minneapolis-based design and screen printing studio specializing in gig posters, art prints, and merchandise for the music industry. Most direct comparable in niche, process (screen printing), and customer base.
• Bottleneck Gallery: NYC-based gallery and online retailer specializing in collectible movie and entertainment art prints. Competes for the same collector demand DKNG serves through limited edition releases and film partnerships.
• Tyler Stout: Independent gig poster artist recognized in the alternative poster collecting community. Comparable as an individual practitioner producing limited edition screen printed posters for musicians and films.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/DKNGstudio
• Facebookfacebook.com/DKNGStudios
• Instagraminstagram.com/dkngstudios
• Xx.com/DKNGstudios
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dkng-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DKNG Studios