More Than a Printer Archives - Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

In a world full of clichés, many speak to the importance of doing what you love. But, it’s increasingly rare to find a genuine example of someone loving what they do and pouring their whole heart into doing it. When I met with Tom Lancaster of Litho Press, it was quickly and abundantly clear that Tom hits the ground running every morning, looking to see who he can bless in the world of printing. It’s incredible, and it can be an inspiration for all of us. Introducing Litho Press Litho Press (located in San Antonio, Texas) was founded in 1962 by Raymond Thomas. It began as a provider of printing services to the Government Printing Office (GPO) nationally. Over the years, it became one of the largest GPO providers in the country. Today, the company still fulfills printing services to government entities but has expanded to serve the commercial sector, which accounts for more than 90% of its business activity. Litho Press has a unique ownership structure as well. After Raymond Thomas passed away, he bequeathed the company to a local university. Trinity University later sold it to Thomas F. Murray, who has been the owner for many years. When

Iconic printer Benjamin Franklin once said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Continual business growth is something that’s always expected but never really explained. How do you grow? When is the right time to take those bold next steps? These are questions that More Than Ink Printing in Jacksonville, Florida, has contemplated and recently answered. Introducing More Than Ink Printing In 2005, More Than Ink Printing began as a small newspaper print company. As the years went by, the company grew steadily and became a well-known local print shop. Today, the company employs roughly thirty people and is run by President and Co-Owner John Christiansen and Vice President and Co-Owner Aaron Canaday. Together, they’ve put their long history in the print industry to work and expanded the business. In 2017, the company’s focus shifted towards newer technology and becoming the leading printer in the area. “We’ve been growing steadily ever since, adding new people nonstop and doing all sorts of new things along the way,” explains Aaron Canaday. “One of those things has been building a larger facility, which is one more step in getting us to that next level we’re

Big Red Printing has been providing quality printing services for businesses and organizations since January 1985. Run by president and owner Gene Walter, along with his partners Caleb Priebe and Joanna Sena, Big Red Printing is making an impact in Norfolk and Columbus, Nebraska. Gene says Big Red Printing’s start in the printing business happened in a way that most people don’t expect. “The origin of the company was to print for a guy that had a nationwide Apple software club for schools. He called his business “The Big Red Apple Club,” hence, Big Red Printing. However, living in Nebraska, almost everybody thinks Big Red Printing is because of Nebraska athletics.” Today, Big Red Printing offers digital and offset printing services, focusing on working with businesses and organizations and offering a wide range of printing services, including mailers, forms, postcards, and newsletters. Like most businesses, Big Red Printing faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the company was down only 3% in 2020, thanks to its marketing efforts, customer base, and staff. In 2021, the company bounced back and saw a 32% increase in its revenue, surpassing its pre-pandemic levels. Here are just a few things they attribute to their

BCP Digital Printing, located in the bustling metropolis of Baltimore, Maryland, is possibly the only full-time, Black-owned book printing company in the United States. Print entrepreneurs get their start in the printing industry in various ways. Some are born into it, watching their family start the business from scratch in the garage and carrying on the family legacy. Others are marketing-minded and see a unique business opportunity in the world of print. But the story of Paul Coates and his beginnings with BCP Digital Printing is different. His journey began with a relentless commitment to helping the incarcerated. The Heart of BCP Digital Printing: Helping the Incarcerated “The idea started with six or seven people who were ex-activists in the community. Some of them were labor activists, some of them were socialists, some of them were Black Panthers like me, and what have you,” explains Paul. “Coming out of the turbulent 70s, several people who were in organizations with me were in jail. Because a number of people in the organization got arrested all the time, I developed relationships with those incarcerated.” Cultivating relationships is one thing, but you might be asking yourself how building relationships with people in

Located in the “Valley of the Sun,” Cereus Graphics has called Phoenix, Arizona, home since 1973. If you do the math, you’ll quickly recognize that this one-of-a-kind printing firm is celebrating 50 years in the business this year! Five decades of service is quite a legacy, and it’s been made possible primarily because of the Cereus Graphics team, a group of stand-out industry experts and craftspeople who combine advanced digital technologies with traditional offset printing. Cereus Graphics has discovered the key to meeting a wide range of printing and packaging needs by accommodating even the most demanding schedules without sacrificing quality or precision. But who exactly is Cereus Graphics? To answer that question, you have to start at the beginning. Introducing Cereus Graphics Cereus Graphics began its journey as G&G Printers, founded in 1973 by Tom Ginter and his dad, George, and in 1995, Tom bought controlling interest of the company. From 2000 to 2003, G&G Printers underwent an interesting journey on its way to becoming Cereus Graphics. It started in 2000 when a company called PRINTSOURCE USA purchased both G&G Printers and Commercial Lithographers, Inc, which was also located in Phoenix. Six months later, Kelmscott Communications purchased PRINTSOURCE USA

Pioneer [payh-uh-neer] n., One who goes before to prepare or open the way for others to follow. Have you ever stopped to think how much courage it takes to be the first at something? Sure, it’s easy to spout off words like “pioneer” and “trailblazer,” but consider how challenging it is to go your own way and go there first. How do the pioneers, the trailblazers, know where to go and when? How do they find the strength within themselves to beat back the questions of self-doubt or the weariness and simply go for it? What’s more, some pioneers don’t even recognize that’s what they are. Cyndy Harkins of Pioneer Printing in Lincoln, Nebraska, is one such pioneer. Introducing Pioneer Printing Semi-retired, and having moved from Illinois, Cyndy’s parents, Bud and Genni Rettke, thought they needed something to do and wanted to give the world of printing a try. So, in 1980, they opened the very first Sir Speedy in all of Nebraska and Lincoln. Shortly thereafter, in 1981, Cyndy moved to Lincoln and began to help her parents in the print business as a press operator. “I wanted to help my parents out, so I moved to Lincoln and

Print owners are a one-of-a-kind, stellar group of people. Speak with any number of them, and you’ll quickly find incredible, talented, and hardworking people who simply want to serve others well and make a living in the process. It is a true joy and pleasure to work within the printing industry and meet these incredible men and women stretching themselves and their companies to meet the needs of an ever-expanding industry. Sam Pulice of Mojave Printing Solutions is no exception. Learn how he’s taken their printing business to new heights and the inner workings that make it possible. Introducing Mojave Printing Solutions Nestled in the High Desert region of Southern California between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Mojave Printing Solutions has made its mark in Victorville and surrounding areas. In 1987, when big copiers were just coming on the scene, Mojave Copy was founded by Howard Kack. In addition to copying, this quick print shop found its niche in one- and two-color printing. But all that began to change in 2007 when Sam purchased the business and renamed it Mojave Printing Solutions. Sam’s history in printing began as a press operator at a company called Anderson Lithograph. “One day, while

While some people might dream of one day trying their hand at owning a business, others seem to simply fall into it because of their natural giftings. Jeramiah Townsend of Basin Printing is one of those born-to-be entrepreneurs. With a heart for innovation, a passion for helping others succeed, and business organization skills that could rival the famous Marie Kondo, Jeramiah uses his more-than-a-printer mindset to capture the heart of not only his print buyers but other entrepreneurs as well. Curious to hear how he does it? Introducing Basin Printing: A Unique Beginning; A Promising Future Basin Printing’s story starts before Jeramiah with a rich and unique history. In 1957, Basin Printing was founded in the beautiful town of Durango, located in the southwestern corner of Colorado. With a focus on serving the oil and gas industry, this forward-thinking print shop was the first to offer offset printing within their region. Several decades later, in 1990, a unique transition of ownership occurred when a press operator named Mike Hammond won a Heidelberg award for the best press operator in the western part of the United States. Mike later purchased Basin Printing from its owners using the prize money he won

“Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress; Working together is success.” – Henry Ford Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, was a visionary on innovation whose love for learning and perseverance profoundly shaped the 20th century. Ford, and innovators like him, have the self-confidence, vision, and leadership abilities to see things differently, and the courage to change them. Innovators give themselves permission to think out-of-the-box, and they let their ideas percolate into fruition. So, ask yourself: Are printers innovators? Are you an innovator? Mike Jensen, President and Owner of Tri M Graphics in Owatonna, Minnesota, believes that innovation can not only help printers stand out, but it helps their print buyers as well. In fact, the foundational mission of Tri M Graphics is “Building Relationships through Innovation and Integrity.” But let’s back up a little. Introducing Tri M Graphics Centrally located in southern Minnesota, Tri M Graphics has a rich history. Like many family-owned printing companies, the beginnings of Tri M Graphics started as a garage hobby and quickly escalated into a future-changing family career. “My dad, Jon, was actually a sider before starting his printing company,” explains Mike. “In 1985, while hanging some siding on a

There’s a quote by Zimbabwean-born and Canadian-based philosopher Matshona Dhilwayo that goes like this: “The ordinary think inside of the box, the extraordinary think outside of the box, but the genius thinks inside, outside, below and above the box.” Dick Olenych, owner of Spectrum Printing (Home of the Happy Printers) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, uses this genius-described way of thinking to position his print (and other) businesses differently from anyone else’s. Dick’s interesting perspective and approach to the world of business are worth exploring for yourself and your print business. Introducing Spectrum Printing: A Marketing Foundation While many small- to mid-size printers found their start in the world of print through the family or production side of entrepreneurship, Dick had a different beginning. Dick spent 25 years in the unique dynamics of corporate America running national programs. In 2005, Dick decided to go into print, seeing the print industry as a customer-focused industry that suited his mentality and an ever-changing space due to technology. “Little did I know that owning a small business could be so difficult,” says Dick. “I came into print through a sales and marketing background, which I believe makes it easier for me to position for success.