In 1986, the world was a different place. The top-grossing movie was Top Gun, “holding the line” meant something you did on a corded telephone, and in the printing world, we were living in a land of manual paste-ups and darkrooms.
I started in this industry nearly four decades ago. Back then, if you wanted a flyer, you didn’t just hit “Print” on a high-speed digital press. You designed it with a X-Acto knife and rubber cement. You hoped the ink didn’t smudge on the plate, and “fast turnaround” meant you might see your order by the end of next week.
A lot has changed since 1986, but as I look at my shops today—from Colorado Business Products in the Rockies to Clark County Printing & Mailing in the Nevada desert—I’ve realized that the most important parts of this business haven’t changed at all.
1. Technology is a Tool, Not a Strategy
Since the 80s, I’ve seen the rise of desktop publishing, the death of the offset plate (mostly), and the birth of high-speed digital embroidery and laser engraving. We’ve stayed on the cutting edge because my customers deserve the best.
But here’s the secret: The fanciest $200,000 digital press in the world is useless if the person running it doesn’t understand color theory, paper weight, and the “why” behind a client’s project. We don’t just sell ink on paper; we sell a business’s first impression.
2. “Local” Still Means Everything
In 1986, you did business with people you saw at the grocery store. Today, you can order 500 business cards from a massive website based in another country with three clicks.
But what happens when the color is wrong? What happens when you need those cards tomorrow for a trade show in Colorado Springs or a grand opening in Mesquite?
Being in this industry for 40 years has taught me that relationships are the original social media. Being the neighbor you can call when things go wrong is a value that no algorithm can replace.
3. The Power of the Tangible
We live in a digital-first world, but I’ve watched a curious thing happen: Physical mail and high-quality printed goods have become more powerful, not less.
In 1986, your mailbox was full. Today, your inbox is full. When you receive a heavy-stock, personalized postcard or a beautifully embroidered jacket, you feel it. It has weight. It has permanence. Our job is to make sure that physical touchpoint reflects the quality of your hard work.
The Road Ahead
Whether we are helping a credit union in Colorado streamline their office forms or helping a Mesquite non-profit save thousands on their annual mailing, the mission is the same as it was the day I started: Help our neighbors succeed.
I’ve seen the industry go from analog to digital, and I can’t wait to see what the next few decades bring. Thank you for trusting us with your brand for all these years.