Vending

Vending machine sparks craze for mini prints in Milwaukee

Photo: Adobe Stock

September 24, 2025

A retro-style art vending machine is gaining popularity in Milwaukee, selling small, collectible prints for 50 cents each, according to a WTMJ report.

Called "Milwaukee's Littlest Print Shop," the machine was created by Parker Vandehey, who started the project in September 2023. It has since sold more than 3,000 prints, creating a community of collectors. The machine's location moves, but it has had a long-term residency at Ebb & Flow Design Co. in the city's Riverwest neighborhood.

"I have a weird love for vending machines. I have a love for cheap art. So I was like I can do something with this," Vandehey said.

The prints, which are often Milwaukee-inspired, are a mystery, with customers not knowing which design they will get until after they have purchased it. The element of surprise has led to collectors returning multiple times to find specific prints, such as a popular cheese-themed design.