Streeter Printing has been serving San Diego and beyond since they were founded in 1980. Their focus is to be reliable, responsive and resourceful to all individuals and corporations to meet their printing needs with knowledge, experience and superior customer service. They handle projects from concept to completion and can offer a one stop solution for your print needs.
THE STORY (Streeter Printing is Family Owned With Corporate Focus)
Written By: Adrienne Streeter
I grew up in a printing family. I recall it all began with a small printing press in our basement, then 2 printing
presses in our garage, then on to a small storefront and finally a large printing facility that offered design, printing, fulfillment and mailing services. I was collating around a dining room table at age 7! My family also started 6 small storefront printing locations in the Baltimore Area. For me — it was in my blood, since it was my childhood reality. I began working during the summers in the bindery department at age 14 and grew from there to become a Customer Service Representative (at that time referred to as a ”counter girl.”)
Since I always loved art and graphics, I got a degree in Commercial Art — a perfect combination of art and print. The elements of good design were taught, but that was prior to the computer age! My, how times have changed in our industry!
I was quite an adventurous person and decided to move across the country when I was 21 years old. I had never been to San Diego but the minute I landed at the airport — it was a love story! I never want to live anywhere else. I worked for a couple of printing companies in the area and opened Streeter Printing at age 27 in the Miramar area of San Diego. My husband had been trained in the industry as well. It was just the 2 of us — he ran a press, did the bindery work and deliveries, and I worked with clients, did their layouts and managed the financing. We were a good team. (And still married 43 years later!)
Fast-forward many years and I will tell you that Streeter Printing is “Not Your Father’s Print Shop.” The printing business is a male-dominated industry and there are very few women in the limelight in this profession, however, I never let that bother me. Our company is now certified “Woman-Owned” and I am the president of the corporation. In the “old days” salesmen would come in to our shop, overlook me and “look for the owner”. I would chuckle and let them know that I was the owner (my husband did not want to be in the forefront). They would immediately clear their throat and then give me their pitch! That perception still exists but is not as prevalent as it once was. My self-confidence stems from the knowledge and extensive experience I can offer, and I don’t give gender a second thought!
There has been a movement to “become green” for a long time now. Funny thing is — we were green without me consciously knowing it. It just seemed like the right thing to do! We can print on recycled papers, have used soy and vegetable-based inks for years, recycle every bit of paper in our facility and our chemistry is clean enough to go down the drains. We also adopted 2 highways in San Diego for Cal-Trans to keep clean. That is our way to give back to our city — a city which has been so good to us!
There are several things that set us apart. First of all — service! The perception of printers used to be blue-collar guys with tattoos and cigars who love to drink! There is nothing wrong with those traits, but our level of professionalism has certainly elevated. Anyone who walks in our door or contacts us is treated like royalty — that is the true definition of our company culture. We are one of the few industries that provide both a service and a product. To put ink on paper is easy, but we go way beyond that by providing graphic services, assisting clients with defining their target market, and educating clients on how to maximize their printing dollar. In simple terms . . . we care!
How do we do that? I have a team of 20 experienced employees who represent the same customer philosophy that we embrace — Do the best job humanly possible for our clients. Without them — we are nothing! I also support and “open-door” policy and I see us as a family working together. Streeter Printing is in my heart and soul!
I am proud to say that Streeter Printing will carry on to become a 3rd generation family business, which is rare these days. Although all of our children are entrepreneurs, our son Jon Streeter has worked with us for years and will carry on the Streeter Printing name and tradition. He brings to the business a new and energized perspective regarding the latest innovations in the industry that we can offer our clients, as well as complete print management software solutions. He is truly an asset which will afford me the opportunity to step back a bit. I know that with Jon Streeter and my current team — we will be able to serve our clients successfully, for years to come!
Adrienne’s Book
Debra here, again. As promised in my newsletter…
If you’re interested in Adrienne’s book, “A No Nonsense BS* Degree” (Hard truths, hard knocks and humorous tales of running a successful small business), click here for information and a purchase link.
(* Business Smarts)