Print Tech: single-source solutions

Apr 1, 2003 12:00 PM

In the late 1970s, Russell Evans was working as a lifeguard in Delaware. It wasn't a bad job — at least in the summer. As winter approached, however, so did fate, in the form of an unhappy printer. “My brother went to get some work done at a small quick printer,” recalls Evans. “But the guy hated what he was doing and wanted to get out of the business.”

Evans, on the other hand, had enjoyed his exposure to the graphic arts during his student days in the print shop at Johnathan Dayton Regional High School (Springfield, NJ). He bought out the disenchanted printer, paving the way for what would become Print Tech (Mountainside, NJ). Founded as a two-person quick-printing operation occupying less than 1,000 sq. ft., Print Tech now employs 62 employees across three locations. Gary Alessio and Chris Baker have joined Evans as partners.

“Our variable-data work in the black-and-white and color arena has given us the flexibility and expertise to stand apart from commodity-driven printers while offering our clients something special,” reports Evans. “With an in-house mail division, we can offer them one-stop shopping.” Mailing services include mail preparation, metering, shipping, and bulk-mail handling. On the variable-data side, Print Tech mails everything from personalized letters to custom invoices and surveys.

While Evans does occasionally miss his days on the beach, his enthusiasm for the printing industry remains undiminished. We asked him to tell us more about Print Tech.

Variable-data printing has been touted as the next big thing since 1993. Why hasn't it taken off?

It is hard to teach an old dog new tricks — most companies haven't used this technology before. The advantages of using variable data in marketing and business management have not yet been clearly communicated. But as the word gets out, it will grow.

How did Print Tech get into the on-demand business?

It is our business philosophy to be leaders in the technology. We stayed on the leading edge by attending industry trade shows and conferences. As the technology has changed to make shorter runs the best option in leading-edge business management, we've evolved, too.

What's in your pressroom?

We have a Heidelberg Quickmaster DI, a Komori and several Ryobi small-format presses. Toner-based equipment include three Heidelberg DigiMaster 9100s, a Xerox DocuColor 2060 with a Creo front end, and several DocuColor 12s. We also have an Epson wide-format inkjet device for producing poster and point-of-purchase work.

Give an example of a recent variable-data job.

Our most common variable-data job is personalizing business marketing communications. We just completed a direct-mail piece for a local university's alumni fund-raising effort.

What percentage of your variable-data jobs are black-and-white vs. color? Digital vs. offset?

The black-and-white market accounts for 90 percent of our variable work.

All products we offer have some sort of digital aspect to them. All of our offset plates are produced digitally. We also have both digital and traditional presses for our offset print work. About 35 percent of our work is dry ink, and 65 percent wet ink.

How familiar are your customers with digital printing?

With digital printers in most offices and improved business-software programs, the learning curve is moving fast. The companies that depend on this technology have even taught us a thing or two.

How did you get into the sign business?

In 1988, we had some extra space in one of our buildings and were looking for a tenant. We looked at some of the sign franchises and ultimately decided we could do that, too.

Where's the best place to eat in Mountainside, NJ?

Are you treating?

Company: Print Tech, Mountainside, NJ
Executive: Russell Evans, CEO/managing partner
Year founded: 1978
Annual sales: $7 million
No. of employees: 62
Sq. ft.: 35,000
Specialization: Digital printing, copying, mailing, fulfillment and signs

If your company has an interesting story to tell, we want to hear from you. E-mail us at: APeditor@primediabusiness.com, and give us a brief description of yourself and your printing firm. You could be the next profile in “Spotlight on…”.