Pflugerville Business - Premier Printing
Pflugerville Business - Premier Printing
Written by Mandy Hobby Sunday, 07 January 2007
Print shop’s success based in loyal staff, customers
In a time where clicking a simple “print” command on the computer seems like second nature, small print shops like Premier Printing on FM 1825 have had to adapt to a variable market.
“It has been a challenge to keep up with the changing technology, but you can’t print everything on your home computer,” Melissa Garza, co-owner and manager, said. “But we have a great base clientele. They really are our bread and butter.”
Long-time clients like the Pflugerville Independent School District, the University of Texas Athletics Department and the City of Pflugerville have been coming to Premier for more than ten years.
Garza opened Premier with friend, Dennis Hilgeman. The duo worked together at Alpha Graphics before deciding to open their own business together.
“It just kind of fell into our hands,” Garza said. “We knew how the printing business worked and we were willing to give it a try.”
They managed the shop with the previous owner of Premier for a year before taking it over in 1992. Three of the four employees still work in the print shop.
“Being a small business, we take pride in what we do,” Garza said. “We don’t let anything out we wouldn’t pay for ourselves.”
Along with competing for business against technology, Premier has also survived the early rocky months of a new business and Sept. 11’s impact on the economy.
“When we first took over it was hard,” Garza said, “and after 9/11, we struggled for a good two years. But, even through all of that, nothing has changed how much I love it.”
Garza’s and Hilgeman’s dedicated work philosophy shows not just in their final products, but in their attitudes. When something cannot be done at the shop, Garza said they find a way to get it done.
“We don’t have a color copy machine here, but I guarantee people a 24-hour return on copies,” Garza said. Garza goes the extra mile for customers by using a friend’s state-of-the-art color copier for her clients.
The light-hearted, but diligent work ethic is infectious when talking to Garza and the rest of the staff. The close-knit group stays busy all day and year round, but doesn’t forget to enjoy what they are doing in the process.
“It’s like Cheers here; everyone knows each other and we know all of our clients,” Garza said. “This is home for us. It’s not just our job, it’s our livelihood.”
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