Commercial Printing Service

In the winter of 1994, I was working in a kitchen, and at night, taking courses on basic software ( in this case, early Adobe and Microsoft). I was looking to dip my foot into the field of graphics but having no idea how to go about this. Initially I'd imagined 'sign painting' as it dovetailed nicely with my obsession with letters.

Talking to friends and colleagues would ultimately lead me to offset printing. Many had suggested that a good understanding of basic print methods was a good pre-requisite to most design/ agency work ( remember, this is slightly pre-digital. Most items you worked on were ultimately a print job).

I ended up knocking on the door of a local print shop on the westside of Santa Cruz. I offered to help around the shop and clean if need be. Jim Kreppel the owner offered to train me as press operator and pay me as well! I didn't leave my job in the kitchen quite yet, so I worked out a 8-12pm shift that enabled me to then work my 1pm-9pm shift at the kitchen.

After about 2 months of this, I was getting the hang of things, basically printing simple one color brochures and business cards. The AB Dick offset presses printed one color at a time, and required multiple passes through in order to offer full color prints.

AB Dick Offset Press

Even one color prints were very hard! I learned pretty quickly that missing a detail on a press running fast ( 1,000 sheets per minute) would often result in a gigantic waste of paper or expensive card stock. Or, not keeping an eye on the water or ink level could result in disaster.

One of the perks of working in a print shop was being able top print my own projects. One of which was a graffiti zine I was creating along with my partner in crime Nate Smith. We printed two issues and were proud of our new found ability to create and print/ publish our own zine.

About a year or so in as a press operator at the shop, I got an offer to work at NHS/ Santa Cruz Skateboards as a full time graphic designer/ illustrator. Jim didn't take things well as he saw the sunk cost and time that he'd put in to get me up to speed. I think there was also a part of him that understood that this was a great opportunity for a 25 year-old artist trying to find his way.

I'll always cherish Jim Kreppel and his bold move to offer someone sight unseen a paid job to learn a new trade. I think this is something that's lacking in our overly credential obsessed world we find ourselves in. but this generous act is something I'll never forget! Thanks Jim!