Color Graphics Celebrates 35 Years of Business
The Pacific Northwest-based company has grown quite a bit since 1984.
Color Graphics, a company that specializes in promotional and recognition products based in Tumwater, Washington, celebrates 35 years of business this year. What began as a small operation in a garage grew into a 20,000-square-foot building complete with a large showroom and onsite production.
Husband-and-wife-duo Fred and Debbie Gustafson began the business out of their home’s garage in 1984. They started with screen printing, then branched out to offer embroidery and promotional products in the 1990s.
In 2006, Color Graphics expanded into the recognition market when it purchased a local awards and trophy business to add engraving to the lineup. When that shop merged and moved in with Color Graphics, everything from the trophy business was brought to Color Graphics.
Almost eight years ago, when Fred and Debbie decided to retire, their son Kiley Gustafson and his wife Voshte took the reins. Kiley and Voshte now work to follow suit of their predecessors to cater to Color Graphics’ customers’ needs and to evolve with changes in technology.
“Our website is user-friendly, and we have the ability to online chat with our customers if needed,” says Voshte. “I’m just trying to cater to what our customers need.”
In addition to the website that showcases what the business offers, Color Graphics’ showroom provides customers the chance to see, feel, and compare different products. “Everyone is blown away about how big our showroom is, it feels more like a retail space,” Voshte expresses.
Color Graphics’ facility in Tumwater functions with 18 to 20 employees at a time, according to Voshte, and those employees work with a wide range of clients. “I would say we’re definitely more on the B2B side,” she elaborates. “We’re really involved within our local community as well.”
To celebrate 35 years of business, Color Graphics held an anniversary party on October 3. Voshte explains it was like a mini tradeshow with about eight vendors that each had their own booth. Customers who attended received swag-bags and had the chance to win a variety of prizes from the raffle, with items donated from the vendors. The party also featured a taco truck. Close to 80 to 100 people got the chance to walk the event and eat a snack or lunch afterwards.
“It was really a celebration thanking our customers for 35 years in business, so we tried to spoil them and make it fun for them,” Voshte adds. “I’m excited to see what this next year brings.”
For more information on Color Graphics, visit www.colorgraphicswa.com.
