From letter jackets to little league trophies, Orion has no shortage of demand for professional printing services.
But Green Light Graphics, a new print shop opening at 169 Clarkston Road, is trying to be the one-stop shop location for any kind of graphic printing need.
‘We used to sell machines to printing companies but decided we might be better off using those machines,? said Director Andrew Magnus. ‘Printing is in the family and when my dad and I looked at the market and looked at our accumulated knowledge, we decided we could make a lot of hay in the printing industry.
‘Now we still sell the machines, but we keep some of the specialty machines. The benefit of selling the machines and using them is that we get to have a wide range of what we can do. We’re a printing equipment dealer, but we now do offset printing, wide format printing, apparel and signs printing. Other places tend to specialize in one of these four areas and don’t go outside those areas much.?
Magnus added most printing places will contract outside help when confronted with a task their local staff is not able to handle. Because Green Light keeps the machines as part of their inventory, they can offer a wide range of printing services, making their control of the finished product greater and more efficient. Some orders may include the need for matching apparel and business cards for example, and because the new company can make everything, the finished product is more consistent and likely cheaper.
‘Printing is a skilled trade, but its gone away from the skilled side now that you can find a laser-jet on every desk,? said Magnus. ‘It’s become subpar – there is a lack of finishing. We want to bring back that quality. You may have a printer, but you don’t have professional finishing equipment.?
Some of their most recent jobs include office stationary, embroidery and pocket folders. They also offer dye cutting in house, embossing, foil stamping and much more.
Another benefit of having total control over the product is more immediate results.
Companies will often ship out orders they cannot handle and require a three- to six-week notice for larger orders. Because Green Light is internalized, pulling an ‘all-nighter to get an order done is well within the realm of possibility.?
Green Light is now reaching out to charities and non-profit organizations in the Orion area after learning many were not receiving discounts.
‘We want to support out community,? said Magnus. ‘I think it’s only right that these guys be taken care of by the businesses in the community. We really can save these guys a ton of money.?
The company is offering a promotional offer right now of 1,000 full color (front and back) business cards with premium stock and coating with one hour of graphic design for $50. They want to push the idea that hard minimums are not present in their prices since all end tallies are completely up to them.
They have already serviced some businesses in the area, including the new PX2 Automotive on Lapeer Road.
Magnus grew up in Lake Orion, graduated from Lake Orion High School in 2001 and moved to Indiana. Yet upon making the decision to raise a family, he returned with his wife, also an Metro Detroit resident. Green Light Sales Director Joe Ketelhut is also a Lake Orion alumnus, graduating in 2003.
Hours of the store are flexible, but are mainly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are reachable at any time however, at (248) 285-9151 or online at joe@yournewprinter.com.