Supporting Our Team: A Foundation of Growth

A happy, skilled and engaged team is the cornerstone of our success. We prioritize the well-being of our employees by offering:

Competitive Pay and Benefits: We strive to provide industry-leading compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off.

Training and Advancement Opportunities: We invest in the growth of our team through ongoing training programs, job shadow opportunities and clear career paths.

Employee Engagement Initiatives: We actively seek employee feedback through initiatives like our annual Employee Engagement Survey. This valuable input has helped us identify areas for improvement and implement changes that enhance the employee experience.

By creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, we empower our team to excel and achieve their full potential.

Serving Our Customers: Unparalleled Partnership

Our commitment to our customers goes beyond simply fulfilling orders. We strive to be true partners by providing:

Unrivaled Customer Service: We prioritize building strong, long-term relationships with our customers based on trust, communication and a deep understanding of their unique programs. Our skilled Sales Representatives are trained to find unique solutions to meet our customers’ needs while helping them stay on schedule and within budget. Our dedicated Customer Service Representatives practice open communication, relaying any changes or complications in the printing process to ensure on-time delivery.

Top-Quality Printing Solutions: 色控传媒 invests in state-of-the-art printing equipment and expert employees so our customers know they can expect high-quality print pieces every single time. We employ G7-certified staff who help ensure perfect color representation with each print.

Decades of Stability: With over 88 years of experience in the printing industry, 色控传媒 has a strong track record of continuing to serve our customers despite changing economic and supply chain factors. With a strategically developed supply chain, we source the majority of our raw materials from U.S.-based suppliers, putting our company in a strong position against potential foreign import tariffs.

Giving Back to Our Communities: A Commitment to Growth

As a company deeply rooted in our communities, we believe in giving back. We are proud to:

Support Local Economies: Our operations in small towns like Marceline, Missouri, provide valuable job opportunities and contribute significantly to the local economy. Our printing facilities are located in Marceline, Brookfield and Fulton, Missouri; Overland Park, Kansas; Saint Joseph, Michigan; and Ripon and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.聽

Invest in Community Programs: We actively support local organizations and initiatives through programs like the 色控传媒 Family Foundation. For example, the Foundation has provided significant support to the , providing recreational opportunities and community gathering space for local residents. In 2023, 色控传媒 also pledged a donation of $100,000 over five years to the Boys & Girls Club of Ripon, Wisconsin, helping support their campaign to build a new facility that offers a full-size gym, teen center and on-site trade work learning opportunities.

Implement Sustainable Printing Practices: 色控传媒 holds certifications with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative庐 (SFI庐) program and the Forest Stewardship Council庐 (FSC庐) (FSC-C004755). Through every step of our manufacturing process, we adhere to our established chain of custody procedures. These procedures ensure that we purchase, track, produce and deliver products with raw materials harvested and produced from responsible and renewable sources. Additionally, we鈥檝e installed low-emission press equipment in our plants and use easily recyclable, vegetable oil-based ink to minimize our carbon footprint.

By actively engaging with our communities, we strive to create a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those who live and work in the areas where we operate.

Explore Exciting New Opportunities With 色控传媒

At 色控传媒, we believe in a holistic approach to business success. We are committed to creating a thriving environment for our team, building strong partnerships with our customers and making a meaningful difference in our communities.

We invite you to learn more about how 色控传媒 can support your magazine, catalog and book printing needs. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how we can help you achieve your goals.

* This article was developed with assistance from Google鈥檚 PaLM 2 large language AI model.

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Expert Project Management: Your Dedicated Partner

From the initial quote to the final delivery, your project will be managed by your Customer Service Representative and Sales Representative. The two will work together to keep you updated on progress, addressing any concerns and ensuring your project stays on track. Using their expertise and attention to detail, our highly trained employees play a vital role in helping meet deadlines.

Cross-Departmental Communication: A Seamless Workflow

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful project. At 色控传媒, we foster an environment of open and transparent communication across all departments. Our Customer Service Representatives work closely with our pre-press, production and mailing teams to ensure everyone is aligned and informed throughout the printing process. This streamlined workflow eliminates bottlenecks and minimizes the risk of delays.

For example, 色控传媒 recently implemented a job shadowing initiative at our Saint Joseph, Michigan, printing facility. When 色控传媒 employee and Pressman Charles Peoples shadowed with Shawn Dockham on the Kolbus Perfect Binder, he found a way to help the bindery team avoid an extra step in their process.

鈥淲hen loading the books onto the stack it is important to flip them a certain way so the bindery team can avoid an unnecessary step flipping them,鈥� said Peoples.聽 Per Dockham, the Kolbus Collator Operator, 鈥淲hen we鈥檙e running 200 books a minute, every second counts.鈥�

By shadowing other departments and regularly communicating with each other, our employees find new ways to improve efficiency and consistently meet deadlines.

State-of-the-Art Printing Technology: Precision and Efficiency

Investing in cutting-edge printing technology is essential for delivering high-quality products on time. 色控传媒鈥檚 five printing facilities are equipment with state-of-the-art printing technology that is capable of producing a wide range of print materials with exceptional precision and speed, while also cutting back on emissions. Our advanced technology allows us to handle large print runs while maintaining strict quality and color standards.

Experienced Staff: A Commitment to Excellence

Our team at 色控传媒 is comprised of experienced professionals who are passionate about printing. From our customer support staff and prepress specialists to our press operators and shipping coordinators, everyone is dedicated to delivering exceptional results. Their expertise and commitment to excellence help ensure that your projects are completed and delivered on time and to your exact specifications.

How 色控传媒 Can Help You Meet Your Deadlines

If you’re looking for a printing partner that can help you meet your deadlines and deliver high-quality products, 色控传媒 is the right choice. Here’s how we can help:

• Personalized Service: Benefit from the expertise of our dedicated Sales and Customer Service Representatives.
• Fast Turnaround Times: Using efficient print production methods, our team works hard to ensure your project makes it out the door on your schedule.
• High-Quality Printing: Enjoy exceptional print quality and attention to detail from our highly trained printing staff.
• Mailing Expertise: Rely on our mailing experts to find the best way to get your product delivered on time and within budget.

Get in Touch With 色控传媒 Today

By choosing 色控传媒 as your printing partner, you can rest assured that your projects will be completed on time, to the highest standards of quality, and with exceptional customer service throughout the entire process. We are committed to helping you achieve your publishing goals and exceed your expectations.

To learn more about how 色控传媒 can help you meet your printing deadlines, please contact us today. We look forward to partnering with you on your next project.

* This article was developed with assistance from Google鈥檚 PaLM 2 large language AI model.

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Drew鈥檚 Beginnings in the Print Industry

Drew’s path to book printing wasn’t exactly traditional. With a degree in athletic training, his career began with a job working with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Drew made the decision to move back home to Brookfield, Missouri. Soon after, a conversation with Gary O鈥橳oole, 色控传媒鈥檚 Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, would change his career path forever.

鈥淭he job market wasn鈥檛 the best at the time,鈥� said Drew, I was looking for a good, steady job. Gary mentioned they had a Management Trainee position open. I applied, went through the interview process, and I鈥檝e been here ever since.鈥�

Lifelong Learning: A Printer’s Constant Companion

One of the things Drew emphasized is that as a book printer, the learning process never truly ends. 鈥淚 still learn new things every single day,鈥� said Drew. 鈥淚t took the better of the entire 18-month management trainee program to fully understand the print, binding and business aspects. Plus, it鈥檚 always changing with different machinery, technology and customer needs.鈥� Even our most experienced printers have to stay on their toes in order to keep up with advancing print technology, which helps us stay on the cutting edge.

The Magic of Book Printing

While the core principles of printing are consistent between books, magazines and catalogs, there’s something special about crafting books. 鈥淧rinting books is unique because of all the binding types we can do, specifically our binding capabilities here in Marceline,鈥� said Drew. Magazines normally print on standard paper substrates. For casebound books, plexiglass, linens, and acrylics have really taken off. There are lots of different substrates we can print on and offer to our customers.鈥�

A Team Effort

So, how many pairs of hands work together to create a book? Drew estimates that a typical project involves somewhere between 30 and 40 skilled workers across various departments.聽 From the prepress employees who create impositions to the bindery workers who make sure our books are securely bound, and everyone in between, a 色控传媒 book print is truly a team effort.

Tips for a Smooth Printing Journey

For authors and publishers embarking on their printing adventure, Drew offers some valuable advice: keep an open line of communication with your dedicated Customer Service Representative and don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions. 鈥淢eeting with your CSR and laying all questions out on the table gives us a chance to tell you yes or no or test what you want to be done before we commit to the project,鈥� said Drew. 鈥淎n experienced printing company like 色控传媒 will be happy to accommodate an author鈥檚 design and printing specifications to help achieve their vision.鈥�

The Unexpected Wonders of the Printing Press

Even though books are a part of most of our daily lives, the vast majority of people have never seen books being printed or even set foot in a printing plant. When asked if there鈥檚 anything that might surprise the average person about the book printing process, Drew replied: 鈥淗ow crazy technology is on these presses. Printing 18,000 sheets an hour, both sides of the sheet, and aligning the four CMYK dots down to the micron level to achieve optimal color and registration 鈥� it鈥檚 absolutely amazing.鈥�

More Than Just a Job: How Drew Found a Home at 色控传媒

Even though Drew Elliott didn鈥檛 originally set out to work in print, he is thankful for the career he鈥檚 built at 色控传媒.聽 He finds joy in the connections he’s built, the challenges he tackles every day and the ever-changing nature of the work. 鈥淚 love the people I work with, truly every day is a new day,鈥� said Drew. 鈥溕卮� has been good to me and my family 鈥� I met my wife working here.鈥� Drew鈥檚 story is a reminder that the world of book printing is more than just ink and paper; it’s a world of dedication, precision, and a shared passion for bringing the written word to life.

If you鈥檙e ready to partner with passionate people like Drew to create your next book project, contact 色控传媒 today to get in touch with one of our Sales Representatives! Or, if you鈥檙e interested in working for a family-owned company with over 87 years of printing history, .

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CreativePro Week

The InDesign Conference, now part of CreativePro Week, was established in 2004. The conference was designed exclusively for creative professionals utilizing InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, PowerPoint and other Adobe software. CreativePro Week attracts a diverse range of participants, including graphic designers, production artists, creative managers, educators, small publishers, workflow consultants, and more. More than 2,500 companies, universities, and government agencies sent their design and production staff to Creative Pro week. These organizations recognize the value of this extraordinary event. This community encompasses a broad spectrum of expertise, spanning from newcomers to seasoned professionals, with one common interest: remaining on the cutting edge of design practices and advancements.

In a rapidly evolving industry, CreativePro Week keeps users at the forefront, fostering continuous professional growth. Featuring over 30 industry experts and 75+ valuable sessions, CreativePro Week equips users, regardless of proficiency, with the latest techniques and best practices to enhance productivity. Attendees were also given a full year of on-demand access. This includes all session recordings for the days registered, hundreds of pages of resources from the world鈥檚 top experts, and alumni discount savings.

In case you missed this year鈥檚 conference, On-Demand Passes are still available to .

Meet James Wamser

James Wamser is an Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor. Wamser serves as a Customer Education Specialist at 色控传媒’s Ripon, Wisconsin, facility. Since 2004, he has also taught InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop at and chairs the Milwaukee InDesign User Group. Wamser is widely recognized for his expertise and regularly presents at seminars and workshops, sharing his knowledge and insights. With a wealth of experience in the field, he excels in educating customers and helping them maximize their understanding of Adobe products by providing them with , templates and more. Wamser’s contributions to customer education and his dedication to sharing his expertise, make him an invaluable asset to 色控传媒.

Make the Prepress Process Smoother

The topic of the presentation James Wamser gave at CreativePro week was titled, 鈥淗ow to Make the Prepress Process Smoother.鈥� Wamser emphasized the crucial role that creative professionals play in ensuring a smooth prepress process. He explained that by implementing these practices, you can significantly contribute to the overall efficiency of your workflow.

1. Building your document to the final trim size with 1/8-inch margins and bleed: By adhering to this trim size and incorporating appropriate margins and bleed, you can minimize the chances of error and ensure your design elements are preserved during the printing process.
2. Utilizing templates, especially for perfect bound covers: Templates provide a solid foundation for your designs, ensuring consistency and compatibility. When working on complex projects like perfect bound covers, leveraging templates can streamline your workflow and save valuable time.
3. Obtaining Preflight and PDF Export Settings from your printer: By collaborating with 色控传媒, you can access specific preflight and PDF export settings tailored to your requirements. This proactive approach eliminates potential issues and ensures your files are print-ready.
4. Sending test pages before submitting the final PDF: Before submitting the final document, it is advisable to send a few test pages to your printer for review. This step enables you to catch any potential inconsistencies early on, facilitating a more efficient prepress process.

色控传媒’s Commitment to Providing Support Within the Prepress Process

Founded more than 85 years ago, 色控传媒 has grown into a leading printing company. As a company, we thrive on our commitment to exceptional service and innovative ideas, attributed to our customers and dedicated workforce. We are here to help support you in optimizing your prepress workflow. Here are the key services and resources we provide in this process:

1. Preflight and PDF Export settings: 色控传媒 understands the importance of providing accurate and reliable preflight and PDF export settings. By tailoring these settings to your specific needs, we enable seamless integration with our printing processes, ensuring a smoother prepress experience.
2. Templates: We recognize the value of templates in streamlining the design process. Our templates were made to assist creative professionals in maintaining consistency and meeting the necessary specifications for various print projects.
3. Reviewing test pages and providing feedback: At 色控传媒, we prioritize collaboration and offer our expertise to help you refine your designs. By reviewing test pages and providing constructive feedback, we contribute to the continual improvement of your projects, leading to enhanced results.

Key Takeaways

Collaboration and technological progress were central themes throughout the CreativePro Week conference. Despite the rapid pace of innovation, the conference consistently emphasized the significance of staying grounded in core functions. Notably, the event attracted many participants involved in the print industry, affirming its continued growth and relevance. “It was pleasing to see the continued growth of the print industry,鈥� James Wamser said, 鈥淚 even had the opportunity to engage with Adobe representatives to discuss improvements and provide feedback.”

Overall, the CreativePro Week conference provided an enriching experience for creative professionals, offering opportunities to network, gain knowledge, and find inspiration. By incorporating James Wamser’s insights on streamlining the prepress process, you can significantly enhance the success of your print projects. Through the automation of previously manual tasks, you can maximize your productivity.

As a company, 色控传媒 remains dedicated to supporting creatives by providing the necessary resources to elevate their efficiency and quality of work. As always, we are here to guide you along your creative journey. Together, we can reach our goals and unlock the full potential of our creative endeavors. To access our library of guides and templates, please visit /.

Want to talk about a project you have coming up? Get in touch here.

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As a Customer Education Specialist at 色控传媒, I get asked plenty of questions by our clients who want to make the prepress-to-print process as smooth as possible. Smooth processes are great for everyone involved, so I鈥檇 like to share my advice for custom printing with the top five questions I have answered lately.

1. Do you have PDF Export Settings for InDesign that I should use?

Yes. Our submission guidelines are available as a downloadable PDF on our client tools page for PDF Submission.

2. I鈥檓 setting up a new document. What are the most common mistakes to avoid?

Make sure to build the document to a final trim size with a 1/8-inch (0.3175-cm) bleed and a minimum of 1/8-inch (0.3175-cm) margins. Note: Some machinery, like that of our 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton location, requires 1/4-inch (0.635 cm) margins.

See submission guidelines.

3. Do you prefer spreads or single pages as far as covers go?

If you know the spine size, please submit spreads through our insite portal.

• For covers built as a spread, name your document Cover Spread_Name.pdf

If you supply single pages, it鈥檚 very important to name your PDFs correctly:

• Name your outside front cover Cover 1_OFC.pdf
• Name your inside front cover Cover 2_IFC.pdf
• Name your inside back cover Cover 3_IBC.pdf
• Name your outside back cover Cover 4_OBC.pdf
• Name your spine Cover.pdf or Spine.pdf

For page content, name documents with page numbers or ranges, such as 01-15_Name.pdf, 16_Name.pdf, 17-28_Name.pdf, etc.

4. What do you recommend for Rich Black?

I recommend 50C, 40M, 40Y and 100K. If there is a different Rich Black you have used in the past, there is no need to change.

Note: Do NOT use the Registration Swatch.

5. With Pantone Color Books’ removal from the Adobe Creative Apps (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop), what should I do?

You can create custom Spot Color Swatches, use the Pantone Color Books from previous versions or use (subscription required) to pick Pantone Colors.

色控传媒 is committed to providing expert advice for best practices for your custom printing project, from planning to prepress to print.聽Please reach out to me at James.Wamser@色控传媒.com or 262.617.8272 with any questions.

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A Layered History

When the city of Ripon, Wisconsin, was still in its infancy, the community鈥檚 first business opened its doors amidst the toil of the ongoing Civil War. On Jan. 22, 1864, The Ripon Commonwealth circulated its first edition with the statement, 鈥渢he good people of Ripon and vicinity are herewith greeted with a new paper 鈥�The Ripon Commonwealth.鈥欌赌�

The small staff of The Ripon Commonwealth worked tirelessly to collect printable materials from around the nation to print the four-page weekly. During the early years, the type was handset, and each letter, number and character had to be set one by one.

The weekly paper continued to grow steadily for almost a century. In 1957, under the ownership of Don Schuchman, the paper combined operations with the Ripon Weekly Press to become Ripon Commonwealth-Press, or Commonwealth for short, a more robust paper for the community.

Soon, Schuchman sought to retire from the newspaper business and wished to leave the business in able hands. On Sept. 1, 1962, in the Republican House restaurant across the street from the press operation, Schuchman sold the company to Doug Lyke, who would soon prove to be the perfect fit for the job.

Unbounded Enthusiasm

Doug Lyke grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. After graduating from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism, Lyke served in the Navy and then worked in a public relations position in Chicago. He was a newspaperman at heart, and the opportunity to purchase the Ripon Commonwealth-Press was the new beginning he knew his family needed.

Doug鈥檚 wife, Audrey Lyke, and their four young children soon joined him in making Ripon their new hometown. In his first editorial as owner and publisher of the Ripon Commonwealth-Press, Doug wrote, “With unbounded enthusiasm 鈥� coupled with a deep sense of responsibility 鈥� my wife, Audrey, and I approach our new life, our new endeavor in Ripon.鈥�

At the time of moving, Doug and Audrey鈥檚 children 鈥� Kim, Sue, Tim and Andy 鈥� ranged from eight years old to 18 months old. Decades later, Audrey described her family鈥檚 move from Chicago to Ripon. 鈥淚 was driving alone鈥� it was raining, and I鈥檓 not sure if there was more water in the car from my tears or on the windshield outside. We had absolutely no money, lots of debt and a town we knew very little about.鈥� The Lykes were soon welcomed by the Ripon community with success on the horizon.

When the Lyke family acquired the press, they kept the full staff without employment changes. Doug performed as the owner, president and editor, and Audrey was the vice president of office and finance. With a team of 13 people, the Ripon Commonwealth-Press, or RPC, made $250,000 in sales during the Lyke family鈥檚 first year. In addition to the weekly newspaper, RPC printed small side jobs like the Ripon College Days using hot lead type and letterpresses.

The only press in the operation was a Chief 24 offset press, which took two full days to print each edition of the Commonwealth. In 1965, the Lykes made an investment in a three-unit Goss web press and folder. The new press reduced the time to produce the weekly paper from two days to 30 minutes.

The investment was a leap of faith for the Lykes, and it would serve to substantial growth on the commercial side of the business, and an expansion to print business outside the region. RCP鈥檚 product mix grew to print 34 different shoppers, community, college, fraternal and veteran newspapers from around the state.

鈥淩CP鈥� with a New Meaning

While the newspaper side of the business stayed steady, the commercial side of the Ripon Commonwealth-Press skyrocketed into success. The original building on Blackburn Street underwent two separate expansions to fit in equipment and meet the demand, but by 1975, they had outgrown the small location. RCP moved into a new facility on Douglas Street totaling 18,000 square feet in April 1975. The Douglas Street location is the still the location of 色控传媒 鈥� Ripon today, although it has grown almost 10 times in size since its construction. Prior to the move, RCP had to rent storage space in a nearby pickle factory for its extra roll stock.

In 1977, the commercial plant spun off as a separate company from the newspaper, so 鈥淩CP鈥� would be the acronym for both 鈥�Ripon Commonwealth-Press鈥� and 鈥淩ipon Community Printers.鈥� From the founding of RCP, Doug and Audrey Lyke led with three tenets to which they attributed the company鈥檚 success: Using the latest equipment to enhance productivity and quality, having an alert and aggressive sales network and 鈥渕ost important of all, build an organization that includes the best possible group of dedicated, skilled and hard-working people.鈥� With a staff of under 70 employees, Ripon Community Printers鈥� annual sales surpassed $2 million by 1978.

Embracing Change as an Everyday Constant

With every success, the Lykes funneled their resources back into the company through equipment and expansions. RCP expanded its Douglas Street location by 9,000 square feet and introduced a new saddle stitcher for advanced catalog abilities and a four-unit Web Leader press to add capacity for weekly grocery flyers by 1980. Two years later, RCP purchased a Creusot Loire web press from France, and it was named 鈥淜atie Jane鈥� after Doug and Audrey鈥檚 first grandchild. During the following years, RCP鈥檚 primary products were industrial and service catalogs and manuals, newspapers, tabloids and telephone directories.

In 1989, the annual sales at RCP exceeded $18 million, and Doug attributed the company鈥檚 success to good employees who earned the company a good reputation for service, honesty and the ability to get the job done on time.

Every few years, RCP invested in more equipment and location expansions, reaching 113,000 square feet by 1989. Each purchase was made with the intention to transform RCP to become more self-sufficient as a mid-size printer. Through these expansions, the company鈥檚 footprint grew from 40,000 square feet in 1986 to 170,000 square feet in 1994.

The 2004 commission of the company鈥檚 first 8-Unit Man Roland Rotoman N heatset press was a highlight among numerous developments made since then. It was the first 鈥渟tacked鈥� installation of the press in North America.

鈥淲ithout the wonderful people that put their energy and desire into their work, the modern-day equipment would mean very little鈥� Change has been an everyday constant at RCP since then and will be the catalyst to ignite our after-burners to propel us into the 21^st 肠别苍迟耻谤测.鈥�

鈥� Russ Welch, lead web press supervisor from 1975

Lyke Family Legacy

The print operation in Ripon would not be what it is today without the visionary leadership and commitment provided by the Lyke family and the community they created in Ripon. In 1993, Doug went into what he called 鈥渟emi-retirement鈥� to function as a consultant and senior advisor, and Dave Gray, previously the vice president of operations since 1976, became the new company president. In the same year, Doug鈥檚 youngest son, Andy, became vice president of Ripon Community Printers and Andy鈥檚 older brother, Tim, became the publisher of the Commonwealth.

The Lyke family communicated kindness and diligence through their work and everyday interactions. They created a legacy of open and honest business practices, and they were not afraid to share their failures alongside their successes. Although it was easy to know each employee when there were only 13 on staff, the Lykes prioritized knowing each employee by name and encouraged their employees to get to know each other by saying a genuine 鈥渉ello鈥� at the start of each day. As Doug described it, a sincere greeting on a daily basis is a small investment that pays big dividends.

The Lyke family invested heavily in the Ripon community in many ways. Doug and Audrey were active in the church, volunteered often and prioritized those values in the company as well. Under their ownership, the press facility developed a strong tradition of community involvement through blood drives and supporting local charitable organizations such as the United Way, among many other initiatives. One of the recent highlights of these efforts was their participation in the Ripon Santa Club, which provides Christmas gifts for families in need. This vision aligns with 色控传媒鈥檚 culture as a family organization that puts people first, and 色控传媒 strives to uphold the generous ethos founded in Ripon by the Lyke family.

鈥溕卮� 鈥� Ripon, previously Ripon Printers, has been a pillar in our community for generations,鈥� said Jason Mansmith, Executive Director, Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce. 鈥淭heir legacy in the city of Ripon has been incredibly beneficial by offering a fantastic work environment, along with deeply rooted support for everything that is Ripon. We are blessed to have them as a part of the fabric of the city.鈥�

After RCP鈥檚 40-year anniversary under the Lyke family, Doug passed following a battle with cancer. His passing was reported in the Commonwealth as a full-page story, celebrating him as a 鈥渓eader who loved the solid people of Ripon鈥� businessman, alderman, school board president, musician, volunteer, benefactor, church leader, newspaper publisher 鈥� a man who filled many roles in Ripon fills one more: departed friend to many.鈥�

Andy and Tim Lyke carried on the same values their parents instilled in both Ripon Commonwealth-Press and Ripon Community Printers businesses. In 2006, Ripon Community Printers was shortened to Ripon Printers. In the following years, Ripon Printers gained more business and accolades as they continued to add more equipment to their roster and focused on the touchstone of continuous improvement. The printed and online publication of the Ripon Commonwealth-Press, for which Tim Lyke still writes, runs today.

In 2012, Ripon Printers had more than 300 employees and annual sales of $48 million, and the Lyke brothers shared the cover of Printing Impressions magazine. The same year, the company acquired and integrated Sells Printing Company into Ripon Printers. Ripon Printers grew again in 2016 through the acquisition of Maquoketa Printing. This period of growth for Ripon Printers aided the company in becoming a self-sustaining operation and allowed them to reach beyond their previous capabilities in the market.

On the topic of the 2012 acquisition, the president of the former Sells Printing Company, Donald Schroeder, commented, “Once we decided that being acquired was the best course of action, choosing Ripon Printers was easy. The Lyke family has provided steady, successful leadership for the past 50 years that resulted in significant company growth. The Lykes and the team at Ripon Printers have also created a customer-first culture that Sells Printing customers value and have come to expect.”

From Andy Lyke鈥檚 first days as maintenance staff at his parents鈥� local newspaper, he upheld the company values for hard work, diligence and mutual respect that set the standard for the printing operation in Ripon as a whole. As President and CFO of Ripon Printers, Andy was an efficient and precise leader and a selfless and generous person. He was known to go out of his way to help coworkers through hardships and place himself last when others were in need. In preparation for his retirement, he sought to secure a future for the company marked by the same values of service and generosity.

Ripon Printers joined 色控传媒 in 2019, becoming 色控传媒 鈥� Ripon. Andy continued to serve as CFO until his retirement in July 2021. In a 2021 edition of the Commonwealth, Tim Lyke wrote of his brother, 鈥淎ndy believed to his core that, as Ripon Printers鈥� president and later as 色控传媒 鈥� Ripon鈥檚 CFO, his responsibility was to serve others, to assure they had the tools, opportunities and guidance they needed to be successful 鈥� individually and collectively.鈥�

On The Horizon

The acquisition of Ripon Printers in 2019 by 色控传媒 was driven by the desire to build upon our print and binding capabilities with a company whose people value supporting their local community. The facility augmented our catalog manufacturing and helped us create additional benefits for customers through its proximity to the mailing hub of Chicago, as well as 色控传媒鈥檚 other midwestern locations.

鈥淣ow that for the first time in two generations no Lykes will be on the company payroll, the secret will be revealed: The company鈥檚 success the past 60 years has been due less to the last name of the people who owned it than the heads, hands and hearts of the hundreds of conscientious, loyal and skilled people who made the Lykes look better than they deserved, every day and in every way.鈥�

• Tim Lyke on the event of Andy Lyke鈥檚 retirement, Ripon Commonwealth Press, 2021

As the Ripon location moves forward in the 色控传媒 family of printers, the future will hold to the Lyke family鈥檚 touchstone of continuous improvement and values of hard work, generosity, honesty and kindness. 色控传媒 is grateful to share the rich history of another family-owned press operation, which will continue to operate under the same values as a historical fixture of the community.

The post The History of 色控传媒鈥檚 Print Operation in Ripon, Wisconsin appeared first on 色控传媒.

The Ovid Bell Press was acquired by 色控传媒 in 2012 and was integrated into the 色控传媒 name in 2020. After almost a century of commercial printing, the Fulton location remains steadfast in the diligent leadership of the press operation and continued service to the community in which it thrives.

The Pioneering Spirit of the Bell Family

The town of Fulton sits in the county seat of Callaway County, Missouri. Callaway County, or the Kingdom of Callaway, was settled by the nephew of Daniel Boone in 1818 and named after Boone鈥檚 grandson. Fulton itself was settled in the summer of 1825 and was named after Robert Fulton, the American inventor whose first steamboat traversed the Hudson just years earlier. The original area of the town comprised 50 acres of land which lies today between the boundaries of Sixth and First Streets, north to south, and Bluff and Nichols Streets, east to west. The 147 original lots of land sold for about one dollar each.

The history of Fulton and Callaway County was of special importance to Ovid K. Bell, and as a student of history, he sought to learn and write historical accounts of his birthplace. In Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 Short History of Callaway County, written in 1913, he described with fond regard the resilience of the first settlers of Fulton, saying it 鈥渨as not unlike that elsewhere on the frontier of civilization. The men were robust and stalwart, the women strong and resourceful.鈥�

The town of Fulton quickly flourished, and the population increased rapidly as the county began to grow in political prominence. Nearly every need for the county was supplied by its capable inhabitants. From growing their own food to manufacturing building materials, wagons and hunting supplies, the town of Fulton grew to be self-sustaining. This pioneering spirit lived also in the Bell family, whose citizenship in Fulton dates back to the 1850s.

John P. Bell, Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 father, moved to Callaway County from Virginia and worked on his family鈥檚 farm as a boy. After attending Westminster College in 1861, John P. Bell took over the farm and started a family of his own. Ovid K. Bell was born in 1875 to John P. Bell and his wife, Emma Keen (Gilbert) Bell, as the first of five children.

A Promise of Growth

The Bell family was always involved in the community, and John P. Bell was elected county collector in 1884 wherein he acted as Deputy County Officer for three years. Upon the end of his term, John P. Bell retired from the collector鈥檚 office and purchased the Fulton Telegraph in 1887. The Telegraph had been a prominent newspaper in the state of Missouri since 1845. It may be possible some of the first printing equipment ever to be in the Kingdom of Callaway was in the Telegraph plant, as the Telegraph鈥檚 predecessor, the Banner of Liberty, was the first newspaper established in the area in 1839.

John P. Bell changed the publication鈥檚 name to the Fulton Gazette, where he served as Owner and Editor. At just 12 years old, Ovid K. Bell set his first line of type in the office of his father鈥檚 newspaper in 1887. After dividing his time between public schooling and working to meet the workload demands of the Gazette, Ovid K. Bell was able to attend Westminster College for a time as his father had before him.

In 1897, Ovid K. Bell became the private secretary and assistant to Missouri Congress Representative Richard Parks 鈥淪ilver Dick鈥� Bland, who was close friends with John P. Bell. In late 1899, Ovid K. Bell traveled to Washington D.C. to work with Bland and later worked in the bureau of a Philadelphia newspaper in D.C. Although his dream was to become a Washington correspondent for a metropolitan newspaper, he returned to Fulton in 1900 to aid his father at the Gazette.

From Debt to Distinction

In light of his father鈥檚 declining health, Ovid K. Bell took responsibility of the Fulton Gazette in 1901 as the weekly newspaper鈥檚 new Owner and Editor. Unfortunately, the weekly newspaper was facing an uncertain future. The Gazette was deeply in debt, had less than 500 subscribers in the county and was operating out of meager facilities. Ovid K. Bell made the difficult decision to sell the Gazette鈥檚 building to satisfy the company debt and move to a rented space until the Gazette could get back on its feet. This allowed Ovid K. Bell to keep the Gazette running as he worked to create a new beginning for the publication.

Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 passions for politics, history and journalism fueled his diligent work at the Gazette. Ovid K. Bell prudently applied himself toward building up a newspaper which was, as he said, 鈥渨orthy of support as a servant of the people.鈥� As the business grew, Ovid K. Bell made the publication his own, rebuilding the paper to reflect his intentional drive to serve the people around him in the best way he could. He listened to the desires of his readers in order to provide them with news they would not receive otherwise. In response to his choice to include a stock and farming section in the paper, he said, 鈥淚 want to give them what they want and what will help them.鈥�

In addition to the business, he remained active in his community, including playing a role in a movement to get Joseph W. Folk elected as Missouri governor in 1904. Ovid K. Bell himself became Secretary of the Democratic State Committee in the same year.

In a 1911 edition, The Evening Missourian newspaper highlighted Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 determination, saying, 鈥淭he Fulton Gazette is a country weekly that stands high in the field of journalism. It has risen above the average paper and has become a real newspaper, a newspaper that is vitally interested in the people and things of its county鈥� Ovid Bell is not 鈥榯he man that stood still.鈥� He coupled his energy and ambition to his experience in journalism, squared himself behind the Gazette and pushed.鈥�

Throughout Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 first decade as the driving force behind the Gazette, he reformed and revitalized the paper. During this time, his purpose-driven focus remained on serving the people of Callaway County, and he attributed much of the company’s growth to the fact that the Gazette supplied their needs.

With the growing success of the Gazette, Ovid K. Bell was able to move the company into a new building in 1911 with a flat-bed press, a linotype machine, a cylinder press with electric motors and an ample supply of type. His changes to the Gazette resulted in its subscribers rising from a list of under 500 to that of over 3,000 names in the county and out to other states.

鈥淎 newspaper is a servant, and when it fails to serve those who are depending on it, it has no reason for existing. The daily papers cover news of general interest, and practically every man in this county reads them. It is in our field, where things are going on that the daily papers do not get, that the Gazette is trying to cover.鈥�

– Ovid K. Bell, The Evening Missourian, 1911

Ovid K. Bell was a man with great journalistic ability, dignity, enthusiasm and strength with which he upheld the best traditions of his profession throughout his career. He was a member of the Missouri Press Association (MPA) starting in 1894 and was elected president of Missouri Editors in the MPA in 1912. He was also active in the National Press Association and was the Chairperson of the Department of Weekly Newspapers.

First Periodical Client

Over the following years, Ovid K. Bell built relationships with many business owners and political leaders in the county through his personal relationships and involvement in the community. Through his leadership at the Gazette, he made relationships with many local business owners who paid for advertisements in the paper. He saw potential to take on additional printing jobs from local businesses and run their publications at times when the presses were not otherwise running.

In 1924, Ovid K. Bell wrote in a letter to The Journal of the Missouri Medical Association, 鈥淚f we are given the job, I shall be glad to give it my personal attention.鈥� This client, now the Missouri State Medical Association, is a client 色控传媒 proudly serves to this day.

鈥淐ustomer service is top notch! We are approaching our 100^th year anniversary of printing with Ovid Bell/色控传媒 in 2025,鈥� remarked Lizabeth Fleenor of the Missouri State Medical Association. 鈥淭hat says a lot about the integrity, professionalism, and quality of the business and its organization.鈥� The relationship carried over and continues to thrive as a testament to the strong and loyal relationships both the Bell and 色控传媒 families have developed with the people and companies with whom they partner.

Founding of The Ovid Bell Press

As the commercial printing side of the business expanded, Ovid K. Bell saw his future lay solely in publication printing. After more than 25 years as Owner and Editor of the Fulton Gazette, Ovid K. Bell decided to retire from the newspaper profession to continue his commercial printing business.

Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 plans for the future of his printing operation were realized at the beginning of 1927 with the official founding of The Ovid Bell Press (The OBP). He sold the Fulton Gazette to the Fulton Sun, which still runs today. In the purchase, he retained the printing plant as well as some of the equipment to continue business.

Ovid K. Bell was the guiding hand in plant production as he shifted the focus of the press operation to printing commercial jobs full-time. The mainstays of the business were magazines, books and law briefs. He continued to write on his own and published more books surrounding the history of his hometown, such as Cots Sans Dessein, a History.

The Legacy of the Bell Family

The initial success and growth of The OBP was unquestionably through the continued leadership of Ovid K. Bell and his promise to guide each publication efficiently from start to finish. He took pride in providing each customer with quality publications and in learning to adapt in ways to benefit his customers, employees and community.

He was widely respected as a journalist and printer, and his character stretched beyond the Ovid Bell Press. He and his wife, Lucy Maud Hall Bell, were active in their church and local colleges. Ovid K. Bell was a deacon at Fulton Presbyterian Church, President of the Westminster College Alumni Association and a master of Fulton Lodge No. 48 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

In 1936, he constructed a new building with the production facility on the lower floor and administrative offices above. Over the following decades, The OBP worked to meet rising demand by installing additional printing equipment and purchasing nearby land for building expansions. They kept the building updated through the years, and it is the same building in use today for 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton, which has grown to almost 100,000 square feet.

Ovid K. Bell鈥檚 son, Ovid H. Bell, graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and served in World War II in the Army Signal Corp OSS before returning to Fulton to work with his father at The OBP. Through the years, father and son worked side-by-side to grow the company to manage a quarter million dollars annually by the 1950s.

After the passing of Ovid K. Bell, Ovid H. Bell took the mantle of The OBP and continued to operate under the same founding principles of serving the community around him through his work. The presses continued to print magazines and books, including many national fraternity and service club magazines and medical college textbooks.

Ovid H. Bell was an extraordinarily kind man, and he made a point to walk the plant every day to greet each person by name. He was active in the community of Fulton as an elder at First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of trustees at Westminster College, the board of education for Fulton Public Schools and the Fulton Board of Public Works. His wife, Martha Lou (Nichols) Bell, also had a large impact through the endless volunteer hours she spent with their church, Ecumenical Ministries, Meals on Wheels and Callaway Hospitals. The Bells raised their three children 鈥� Mary, Jane, and John 鈥� to value service and involvement in the community, and the whole family was involved in local Boy and Girl Scout troops.

In 1977, John O. Bell began working alongside his father at The OBP. He soon began to operate as president of the company, and he became CEO of The Ovid Bell Press after his father鈥檚 passing in 1998. John O. Bell loved to be around the employees of The OBP and continued his father鈥檚 tradition by walking the offices and production floor twice daily and often on weekends to ensure he could greet each employee, all of whom he knew by name.

The legacy created by the Bell family is marked by stalwart diligence and exceptional kindness, both as the owners of a family business and as members of the Kingdom of Callaway.

Acquisition to Integration

In preparation for his retirement, John O. Bell decided to sell The Ovid Bell Press to 色控传媒. As a fellow family-owned company, 色控传媒 finds much value in the history of the Bell family鈥檚 impact on Fulton. John O. Bell remained CEO with The OBP for a few years before officially retiring, and the business continued to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of 色控传媒 with the same name and founding principles.

In 2020, The Ovid Bell Press integrated into the 色控传媒 brand. The integration allowed for enhanced printing capabilities and available services across all 色控传媒 facilities, and more efficient service for clients with broader capabilities across platforms.

The decision to integrate into the 色控传媒 brand was planned long before the pandemic in 2020, and as Customer Relations Manager at 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton, Sara Baysinger, commented, 鈥淭he integration ended up being a wonderful thing in light of the pandemic 鈥� being a family of printers helped to level out the work between facilities as work was shifting. Becoming a part of a whole in our daily operations served us really well.鈥�

The Future of Fulton

In 2018, the Fulton location installed a state-of-the-art Muller Martini C12 Corona Binder to offer a higher level of productivity and diversity to the company鈥檚 product mix. This installment allows for better overall bind quality and broader binding potential. One such advantage is the ability to perfect bind thinner books, allowing customers a wider range of publications we may not have been able to bind before.

With ever-evolving customer needs in mind, significant investments like this perfect binder work to ensure the facility remains competitive in the industry and launches the plant to the next level of production capacity.

The 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton location is also looking forward to the installment of a press in 2023, which will again expand the capabilities of the printing operation, offer faster run times and will aid our press operators with a smoother workflow.

When asked what most excites him about the new equipment, Kevin Werdehausen, Plant Manager for 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton said, 鈥淚 am excited to know that our company is willing to spend money on new technology and therefore investing in our employee鈥檚 futures. This will give us the competitive edge we need to give our customers a superior product.鈥�

The production focus of 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton today is mainly on monthly, bimonthly and quarterly titles and additional special issues for four-color magazines, journals and newsletters, and the plant remains a leader in the regional publication market. Since the early days, the Fulton operation has experienced remarkable growth and expansion, incorporating the latest technology and building upon the strong foundation of honesty, integrity and printing excellence.

Community Impact

From the Founder Ovid K. Bell of The Ovid Bell Press, the leadership in the Fulton print operation has always been family-oriented and community-focused.

鈥淭he Callaway Chamber of Commerce appreciates and supports businesses in our community such as 色控传媒. 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton, formerly The Ovid Bell Press, has such a longstanding, rich history in our community, providing jobs and resources county-wide.聽We are excited to see even more growth from 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton in Callaway County,鈥� said Tamara Tateosian of the Callaway County Chamber of Commerce.

The Bell family was heavily involved in organizations like SERVE, Inc., the United Way of Callaway County and the Fulton YMCA. They held and sponsored many kick-off events, fundraisers and food drives to help those in need. The Fulton location works with their local SERVE, Inc., which provides food, clothes and transportation to those in need, and has donated to the YMCA Fulton to aid in building an indoor swimming pool for the community.

The people of 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton are committed to bettering the lives of those around them. 鈥淥ver the years we have had a lot of fun coming up with ways to challenge ourselves and each other to continue or better our donation efforts to SERVE. However, each year our most treasured food drive is in honor of a long-time employee, Beverly Lepley. Bev鈥檚 generosity lives on in the annual food drive that her co-workers organize each year,鈥� Customer Service Manager Sara Baysinger said. Lepley was a beloved Fulton employee who was known for her kindness and friendly demeanor.

As a family-owned company, 色控传媒 sees how the purpose-driven values the Bell family instilled in The Ovid Bell Press, and the history of their impact on the town of Fulton, is a legacy 色控传媒 鈥� Fulton strives to uphold. In the words of Ovid K. Bell from A Short History of Callaway County, 鈥淔rom the town and county have gone many men and women who have done, or are doing, splendid work in the world.鈥�

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-Ross G. Smith, founder of Imperial Printing Company, Saint Joseph Daily Press, 1914

Our 色控传媒 – Saint Joseph facility is the primary print facility for short- to medium-run magazines and journals and is an important part of the entire enterprise to meet our customers’ needs for magazines, catalogs and books.

While the company has looked different over the years, the employees and leadership have maintained a steadfast commitment to supporting the Saint Joseph community. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River, the shipping hub of Saint Joseph, Michigan, was incorporated as a city in 1891 as a vital point of travel and commerce.聽The first printing presses in the area were brought to Saint Joseph a few decades earlier and were used to print the Saint Joseph Herald Press, one of the first newspapers in the city. Imperial Printing Company, later known as IPC Print Services, was acquired by 色控传媒 in 2010 and became 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph.

Rapid Growth from the Start聽

The original iteration of what is now 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph dates back to 1914. In that year, Ross G. Smith and his wife, Maude Smith, purchased a small, second-floor office above a shoe store and founded Imperial Printing Company at 212 State Street in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

The Smiths鈥� modest operation experienced rapid growth from the beginning and business continually increased alongside their partnerships with local companies and industrial plants. The limited size of his first shop, coupled with the fact that heavier presses could not be operated on the second floor of the building, made it necessary for them to find larger quarters. They soon moved into a larger building at 109 State Street to accommodate for increasing business.

Through the following decades, the Smiths periodically added equipment and Imperial Printing Company grew from a small shop with a few cases of type and a small press to become one of the most respected facilities in southwestern Michigan. When he was able, Ross would purchase second-hand presses from other companies, including purchasing the equipment from the Saint Joseph Herald Press in 1923.

When Imperial Printing Company expanded at its State Street location in 1927, Ross wrote of three primary considerations in printing in his announcement to the Saint Joseph Daily Press.

鈥淭hey are (1) facilities to do good work; (2) a proper evaluation of promptness; [and] (3) creative foresight鈥� It is the printer鈥檚 business to know how the story should be told, how it should be illustrated and how that message should be conveyed to the public. Unless the printer is able to present that fact to the buyer, his organization becomes merely a machine without either a progressive or creative instinct.鈥� This new addition in the back of the building doubled capacity, allowing space for operation of five presses.

Through their work as owners and operators of Imperial Printing Company, the Smiths prioritized providing personal attention to every job and learning the needs of the customer so customers could buy with confidence. When possible, they accumulated a substantial amount of different stocks of paper in service of customers needing rushed orders.

Passing the Baton聽

After 35 years of developing one of the leading businesses of its kind in Michigan, the Smiths retired in 1949 and sold Imperial Printing Company to Chicago businessman L. Riddell Cramblet. As the new president of Imperial Printing Company, Cramblet promised to provide the same quality of work and service to the community without any changes in the name or personnel. Cramblet鈥檚 experience in the field of graphic arts, large circle of friends and strong desire to be an active participant in Saint Joseph鈥檚 progress made him a fixture of the community.

After 16 years of stable growth, the printing operation moved from the multi-level building on State Street to a new construction on Colonial Drive. While smaller presses were carried through the streets by forklifts, larger presses were unable to fit through the doors to move to the new location. For this feat, workers used a wrecking ball to break through the wall of the building and extract equipment through the newly made opening. Overall, this move involved 12 machines weighing a total of 250,000 pounds.

This new location allowed for more efficient production from makeup tables to presses to bindery and loading ramps. The production floor did not have windows but included a climate control system to regulate temperature, humidity and dust levels 鈥� a new trend for businesses in 1965. Atmospheric control is essential for four-color printing, and Cramblet鈥檚 foresight during construction differentiated Imperial Printing Company from competitors as they were able to provide printed products at a consistently higher quality. As a charter member of the Saint Joseph Improvement Association, this $250,000 expansion was Cramblet鈥檚 largest contribution to the renewal project in downtown Saint Joseph.

The Cramblet Family鈥檚 Continued Commitment

The Cramblet family鈥檚 commitment to Saint Joseph continued with Jeanne (Cramblet) Dwan, L. R. Cramblet鈥檚 daughter. Dwan began her career as a partner at Imperial Printing Company with her father. She worked her way up from secretary to vice president and eventually became the company’s president and owner. Dwan鈥檚 accomplishments went beyond her successes at Imperial Printing Company, as her diligent investment in the Saint Joseph community showed the heart of her actions as a local business owner. She served as a member of the advisory board for Western Michigan University-Michigan State University and was named one of the Women of the Year by Lake Michigan College in 1975 for her outstanding contributions to the business community of Saint Joseph. She was the first woman to be elected to the Board of Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce as Vice President for Industrial and Business Resources, and she served as a division chief chairperson on the Blossomland United Way board of directors.

After receiving an honorary degree from Lake Michigan College, she inspired the graduates of the class of 1977 in a commencement speech, advising them to value work as well as pleasure, become involved in political and social activities in the community, and never let their education stop.

鈥溾�業 challenge you,鈥� Mrs. Dwan said, 鈥榯o roll up your sleeves, go to work in an organization or a group whose goal is to change or improve an existing situation. You have no right to sit on the sidelines and Monday morning quarterback. Be involved in your community. Be informed about the course of our great nation.鈥� She closed by saying, 鈥楧on鈥檛 let your education ever stop! Keep stretching your mind 鈥� keep studying鈥� I wish you meaningful personal relationships, I ask you to be involved, and I beg you to keep learning!鈥欌��

Exponential Growth Creates New Job Opportunities

After a few more prosperous years, Dwan retired from Imperial Printing Company and the company was purchased by Greg Forbes. As owner and president, Forbes greatly increased the plant鈥檚 capacity and capabilities. He was also active in the community as a coach in various youth programs and served as a cabinet appointee of the Blossomland United Way in which he directed campaigns conducted among employees of many local businesses.

In 1985, Imperial Printing Company significantly expanded its bindery operation. Spearheaded by Forbes, this was an integral development for the company’s growth and success. The new plant was located in Lincoln Township on Maiden Lane, and it created over 60 jobs within the first few years. Our 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph printing and bindery operation remains on Maiden Lane today. Under Forbes鈥� authority, the company grew exponentially. Within a decade, Imperial Printing Company expanded from a $1 million operation with 32 employees to a $50 million operation employing over 500 people.

Diving into New Markets

In response to such rapid success, Forbes looked into new and expanding markets. In addition to books and magazines, Imperial Printing Company began to incorporate a more diverse range of products. The company pursued new opportunities by purchasing a division of Polaroid (Polaroid MDS) in 1991, as well as two California production plants. By this time, half of the company鈥檚 business involved printing and fulfillment for technological products such as documentation manuals, floppy disks and tape duplication for computer industries.

In 1992, the company was sold to an employee-owned conglomerate named Journal Communications Inc. of Milwaukee. Journal Communications also owned newspapers, television and radio stations among other businesses. Greg Forbes, who remained president of Imperial Printing Company, also joined the board at Journal Communications as an employee-owner. Through this acquisition, Imperial Printing Company became IPC, a subsidiary of Journal Communications. Soon, the addition of a nearby fulfillment plant on Hawthorne Avenue in 1993 helped to create additional value for customers and still functions as the fulfillment center for 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph today.

The purchase made sense for all involved, and hopes were high for both Journal Communications and IPC. Forbes believed this new partnership would double annual sales over a five-year period, and Journal Communications Vice President Bob Dye expected growth in the niche markets IPC鈥檚 products served.

Unfortunately, the anticipated additional business did not materialize in the software side of the business. IPC experienced financial setbacks which resulted in layoffs at each IPC location in 1996. Although the layoffs came as a surprise, the company made sure that everyone who left got a minimum of two weeks’ severance pay, and they also hired an outplacement firm to help people find new jobs. Doug Hosking, general manager of IPC鈥檚 western division, became the new president of IPC after Forbes decided to step down.

Focusing in to Stand Out

In the following years, the company changed its name to IPC Print Services and shifted its focus away from technical manuals and software duplication. Going back to their roots, IPC directed the business toward magazines, catalogs, soft-cover books, special-interest magazines and journals.

In 2010, 色控传媒 acquired IPC Print Services from Journal Communications. 色控传媒 admired IPC’s rich history, mailing and fulfillment capabilities, strong management structure and outstanding customer service. These factors, alongside IPC鈥檚 reputation for quality and excellence, were evident to 色控传媒 and played a significant role in the company鈥檚 acquisition.

Today, 色控传媒 continues to invest in the future of the printing, binding and fulfillment operation at 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph. Following the acquisition, their software was upgraded to a new suite of programming systems called Monarch. This all-in-one platform transformation makes it easier for different departments, as well as other 色控传媒 plant locations, to work together in a unified structure.

Over the past decade, 色控传媒 has also invested heavily in the Saint Joseph plant to increase speed and efficiency, improve paper yield and reduce waste, while maintaining 色控传媒鈥檚 high standards for product quality. 鈥淔or 色控传媒, every addition and upgrade shows our聽commitment to serving our customers and modernizing our plant to deliver the highest quality product,鈥� said Phil Archer, General Manager of 色控传媒 鈥� Saint Joseph.

These improvements include a Heidelberg Press, two automated Sunday2000 Presses, several Saddle Stitchers and an addition of over 20,000 square feet to meet our growing demand for fulfillment and distribution services. A new Perfect Binder coming this year, integrated with state-of-the-art automation, will soon join the bindery as well. 色控传媒 also continues to invest heavily in all inline and offline mailing capabilities through each equipment upgrade.

鈥淲e are truly lucky to have family-focused, community-oriented companies like 色控传媒 investing in and giving back to our area. Their generous nature is informed by an eighty-plus year perspective that family should always be at the heart of business and is evident in how they care for their employees, treat their customers, and give back to their communities,鈥� said the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.

As a family-owned printing company, 色控传媒 values the history of our Saint Joseph printing and fulfillment operation and the depth of community commitment showcased by the Smith, Cramblet and Forbes families.

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Hello, Prosperity

As the Great Depression took hold of small, midwestern communities like Marceline, many down-and-out residents hopped on the Santa Fe railroad line to escape West in hopes of a greener future. With no thought of leaving home, newlyweds Don and Joy 色控传媒 asked themselves what they could do to enliven their community. Joy worked at the local Cater鈥檚 Opera House as a dance teacher and choreographer for local plays, and Don was an entrepreneur with a passion to provide the color of hope during a gray time.

By April of 1932, the 色控传媒s had created a business opportunity that would benefit local businesses, schools, families and youth at once. Don approached superintendents of local schools and told them he could bring in a play director, sell advertisements and have playbills printed with no upfront cost to the school. The plays selected by Don and Joy, Here to Hollywood and Hello Prosperity, served as sources of optimism and entertainment in stark contrast to the midwestern communities still recovering from the Great Depression. Don was the booking agent, and Joy directed and choreographed the plays. As the business grew and Joy decided to stay home with a young Don O. 色控传媒, one of Joy鈥檚 dance students, Frances Zurcher, became the play directress, and Mildred Pamperl was hired as their first advertising sales representative.

Once a school agreed to put on a play, Frances and Mildred would take a group of students around town to help sell advertisements. As Frances rehearsed the play with the cast, Mildred would organize the copy for the ads and take the material to a local print shop to print the playbills. Since the local printer would often be a newspaper, giving the newspaper owner business assured good press for the play. The night of the play, Don would deduct all expenses from advertisement and ticket sales and split the profits evenly between the school and his team. The plays provided after-school activities for youth, brought families together and brought in money for local schools as well as foot traffic for local businesses.

Help Arrives

As the company grew, Don realized it would be more advantageous to print playbills on his own equipment rather than finding a willing printer in each town in which they produced plays. More importantly, Don realized he and Joy would be unable to maintain the growth and expand to more schools and communities without help. In 1936, help arrived in the form of Don鈥檚 brothers, Ed and Bill 色控传媒, excited and ready to promote and grow the 色控传媒 vision. Although printing playbills outside of newspaper printers would cause them to lose free press for plays, Don knew this was his opportunity to bring business into Marceline.

With a borrowed typewriter and a weekly payment on a Gestetner mimeograph machine, 色控传媒 Brothers Printing Company was born in the beginning of 1937 in Cater鈥檚 Hall at the corner of Kansas Avenue and West Howell Street. Louise Freeman started her forty-year career as office manager. As more and more plays were booked, the 色控传媒s purchased more typewriters and Louise hired more staff to type stencils and run the Gestetner to produce playbills. Without ribbons for typewriters, each green stencil had to be typed manually. The metal letters pierced through the stencil, allowing ink to flow through it and print on paper. If a typist made a mistake typing, she had to take a black fixer, paint over the mistake, wait until the fixer dried, and then retype over the error.

The Great Depression began to weaken as America looked forward to the improving economy leading into the 1940s. Don 色控传媒鈥檚 plan to expand the market for then-named 色控传媒 Brothers Offset Printing Company included a trip to New York City, where the citizens of the world were invited to view 鈥淭he World of Tomorrow鈥� at the 1939 World鈥檚 Fair.

Don planned a booking and ad campaign wherein the 色控传媒 sales team would work their way across the country from Missouri to New York and back. The bookers stayed two or three days ahead of the ad sellers, and the two groups would meet on the weekends to tally sales, relax, and organize for the next week.

The group reached New York City in the fall of 1939 flush with success. Don treated everyone to tickets to the World鈥檚 Fair for a look at the future. They saw a streamlined pencil sharpener, a General Motors car of the future, Bell Laboratory鈥檚 keyboard operated speech synthesizer, the original Magna Carta, a television set and an electric calculator. As tourists, the group saw the luxury liner Queen Mary docked in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and visited Times Square. As they looked up at the lights above Times Square, they saw the announcement that Adolph Hitler鈥檚 German troops had attacked Poland.

Through the ensuing years during World War II, money and resources were low again. And like Depression times, the 色控传媒s were able to rely on hard-working people and community pride to sell advertisements and keep the presses running. As men were drafted overseas, including Ed and Bill 色控传媒, the company was able to rely on the strong community of women in its workforce who were already skilled on typewriters, presses, and in the sales field.

Printing with Distinction

As the 色控传媒s saw a need in the community, they adapted to print more than playbills. Early printed works spanned from cookbooks to service records and were usually made at the request of community groups for fundraisers. 色控传媒 officially shifted its focus solely to yearbook production and printing in 1947, although 色控传媒鈥檚 contracts for the printing of high school yearbooks can be dated as far back as 1938. The company has always had a commitment to quality, which is evident in our long-standing relationships with elementary schools, high schools and colleges.

After the 1956 passing of Don 色控传媒, Don O. 色控传媒 began his career at the company under the guidance of Ed and Bill. He became president of 色控传媒 eleven years later, carrying forth not just the family name, but also the passion for print and vision for the future held by our founder. When Don O. 色控传媒 became president of 色控传媒 in 1967, the company employed 232 people. By 1987, the number surpassed 1,000. In those first twenty years under Don O. 色控传媒, annual revenue increased from to $3.1 to $40 million. The continued success of 色控传媒 is due to the visionary leadership and difficult decisions made by Don O. 色控传媒.

The decisions the 色控传媒s have made impacted more than their company, and they have always kept that in mind. In the stagnant economy of the 1970s, Don O. 色控传媒 knew what must happen to not only protect the company, but also provide for the hundreds of families he employed. Through the ensuing years, 色控传媒鈥檚 Commercial Division was crafted. This addition diversified the product 色控传媒 offered so it could weather potential lean years for yearbook sales, and provided opportunities for plant employees to work year-round, which was not possible previously when yearbooks were the company鈥檚 sole focus. This push against the status quo was integral to 色控传媒鈥檚 success through the following years as many other yearbook companies closed their doors.

Don O. 色控传媒鈥檚 new management style led him to be named 1975 Missouri Small Businessman of the Year. 鈥淭hrough Don 色控传媒鈥檚 leadership, 色控传媒 Publishing Company has become the world鈥檚 largest independent yearbook publisher,鈥� said Gerald Jepson of the U.S. Small Business Administration District Office in Kansas City, 鈥淥f equal importance, however, are the many contributions he and his company have made to the Marceline community.鈥�

Under the leadership of Don O. 色控传媒, equipment and processes were continually updated to match the latest technology while still providing the highest quality product and service. Don O. 色控传媒 never saw technological advances as a reason to reduce his workforce. Instead, he has fostered a culture of loyalty to loyal employees. His philosophy through both good times and bad has always been to hire good people and provide them with an environment to let them do their work.

More than Print

In 2004, Don O. 色控传媒鈥檚 son, Don 色控传媒, was promoted from senior vice president to the position of president of 色控传媒 and became the third-generation president of 色控传媒. His leadership exemplifies the values of the company鈥檚 founders based on the belief that people come first.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the people who are part of 色控传媒 鈥� employees, customers and suppliers 鈥� who make our company truly exceptional,鈥� President Don 色控传媒 said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about more than the printed product for us. My grandfather鈥檚 vision has woven its way throughout our company, and we all strive to live up to the incredible legacy he created.鈥�

色控传媒鈥檚 continued success and growth is the direct result of the founder鈥檚 commitment to people and the community. Today, that same commitment is still present as his son, CEO Don O. 色控传媒, and grandson, President Don 色控传媒, lead the company that their namesake and his brothers built from the ground up.

Through all the growth under the 色控传媒 family鈥檚 continuous leadership, the focus has always remained on the people who make the company great. Alongside every financial success, the 色控传媒s have found more ways to invest further in their community. Don O. 色控传媒 likes to say, 鈥淥ur people make the difference.鈥� That鈥檚 why multiple generations of families have worked for 色控传媒, and more than 400 current employees have worked for the company for more than 20 years. They see the value 色控传媒 adds to their communities.

色控传媒 presently operates from administrative offices and book printing and binding facilities in Marceline, Missouri; a prepress facility in Brookfield, Missouri; a sales and marketing office in Overland Park, Kansas; and magazine and catalog printing facilities in Saint Joseph, Michigan; Ripon, Wisconsin; and Fulton, Missouri. Additionally, 色控传媒 owns the Donning Company Publishers, a specialty book publisher.

The focus of 色控传媒 has always been to uplift people and strengthen communities, and that vision has been personified through a history of strong leaders, steadfast values, and commitment to the communities in which 色控传媒 operates. 色控传媒 is still a privately-owned, family-run company with midwestern roots, with a purpose-driven mission to create value for customers, company and communities.

鈥淚鈥檓 glad to have been part of the growth that has taken us to where we are, employing more than 1,200 people and working with customers from all over the country,鈥� CEO Don O. 色控传媒 said. 鈥淥ur ongoing success is because of our people who go above and beyond every day.鈥�

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Best of Category

Two of the three pieces 色控传媒 submitted received a Best of Category recognition.

• The alt-cover version of , a Dungeons and Dragons book, won Best of Category for Division III Books, hard cover 鈥� offset. The 256-page book has a cover with a soft-touch finish.
• The 2021 Legacy yearbook from North Little Rock High School won Best of Category for Division III Yearbooks 鈥� offset.

Division III

Van Richten鈥檚 Guide to Ravenloft also won Division III Gold. Division III entries are printed by a company that has 101 or more employees.

We are honored to work with these award-winning publications, who choose to print projects that allow 色控传媒 to show off our printing capabilities.

About GraphEx

The Graphic Excellence Competition has been around since 1989 and was created 鈥渢o recognize the outstanding abilities of print producers to transform paper and ink into outstanding forms of communication.鈥�

Categories

The printing industry is comprised of diverse companies and publications, and the GraphEx Award categories and divisions reflect that. The category reflects the product, and the division is determined by the size of the firm. Division III is for large firms with 101 or more employees.

Win awards with 色控传媒

Our extensive printing capabilities and knowledgeable, friendly employees are the perfect combination that will allow you to create a product that looks amazing. Reach out to us today to talk about how we can meet your needs.

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