Anthony Locicero, Associate Editor11.12.19
Ann and Brian Turbeville had built their garage-based business, Lightning Printing, into a print shop – with two retail locations – specializing in letterhead, business cards, postcards and brochures.
In 2005, the couple acquired Wallace Carlson Printing, which was run by Jay and Glenn Carlson. The company, named for their father and founder, has roots that dated back to 1931.
The Turbevilles kept the Wallace Carlson name and expanded their business’s capabilities, and the company has enjoyed growth ever since. Charlie Cox, the company’s chief operations officer, joined the company in 2010, and recalled how the brand has grown into what it is today, by creating efficiencies on the production floor and introducing new technology that further expands Wallace Carlson’s offerings.
A Komori Lithrone G840LP-H-UV eight-color perfecting press and several Brausse diecutting and finishing machines were added in recent years and formed the cornerstone of a new packaging division, Cox said.
Wallace Carlson offers a comprehensive portfolio of printing services for commercial print jobs as well as folding cartons. The company serves customers in a variety of industries – including CPGs, financial services, medical services, pharmaceuticals and education – both regionally and on a national scale.
“I have watched my competitors, one by one, go with new digital printing platforms over the past few years,” Cox said. “In fact, a half dozen of my closest competitors put in the exact same digital press, and now they all seem to buy the same paper and inks. We chose to be different and carve out a new niche that answers the industry’s call for small to mid-sized folding carton runs.”
Wallace Carlson does have limited digital printing capabilities, but its expertise is in sheetfed litho.
Cox pointed to seven tenets that separate Wallace Carlson from its competitors:
Printing and Packaging: Wallace Carlson is a one-stop-shop for printing and packaging production. Many commercial printers are just now in the process of expanding into packaging design and printing. Wallace Carlson was likely among the first to successfully make that leap.
Advanced Capabilities: Wallace Carlson offers a wide variety of applications and features that drive customer differentiation, including specialty inks, satin coatings,
textured varnishes and metallic effects.
Technology: Wallace Carlson is committed to maintaining its competitive edge by continuing to invest in new technology. Wallace Carlson stocks its prepress, printing and finishing departments with equipment, software and consumables from Komori, Brausse, Fuji, Toyo and Artios, among others.
Quality: Wallace Carlson’s quality control capabilities include Komori’s onboard dual camera system, automation software, closed-loop color monitoring and a 100-point quality checklist that follows each job from order to shipping, just to name a few. The Komori press in use at Wallace Carlson is the only one in the United States with the dual camera system that inspects press sheets for flaws and defects, he noted.
Speed: Wallace Carlson is known for its ability to turn jobs around at lightning-fast speeds, without sacrificing quality, which is a huge benefit for its customers.
“Customers are always amazed at how fast work moves through here,” Cox noted. “Our speed is supported by our technology, processes, procedures and culture.”
Culture: Wallace Carlson’s culture is built on collaborative teamwork, high expectations, continuous improvement and transparency.
“We’re always looking to the future and investing in new technologies and ideas,” said Cox. “We build long-lasting relationships with customers, and what we do helps them build relationships with their customers. That’s the Wallace Carlson experience.”
Certifications: Wallace Carlson holds G7, GMI and FSC certifications and is HIPAA-compliant. The company is also woman-owned, as recognized by WEBENC and NAWBO.
Wallace Carlson uses Toyo inks “for several reasons,” per Cox.
“First, everything needs to work in sync,” the COO said. “Toyo inks are not only the cream of the crop, but they’re also very compatible with the Komori H-UV system.
“Second, Toyo is on the cutting-edge with their coatings and varnishes, and that helps keep us on the cutting-edge,” he continued. “And third, great service. Toyo involves us in its R&D and works with us on color calibration and quality assurance.”
In 2005, the couple acquired Wallace Carlson Printing, which was run by Jay and Glenn Carlson. The company, named for their father and founder, has roots that dated back to 1931.
The Turbevilles kept the Wallace Carlson name and expanded their business’s capabilities, and the company has enjoyed growth ever since. Charlie Cox, the company’s chief operations officer, joined the company in 2010, and recalled how the brand has grown into what it is today, by creating efficiencies on the production floor and introducing new technology that further expands Wallace Carlson’s offerings.
A Komori Lithrone G840LP-H-UV eight-color perfecting press and several Brausse diecutting and finishing machines were added in recent years and formed the cornerstone of a new packaging division, Cox said.
Wallace Carlson offers a comprehensive portfolio of printing services for commercial print jobs as well as folding cartons. The company serves customers in a variety of industries – including CPGs, financial services, medical services, pharmaceuticals and education – both regionally and on a national scale.
“I have watched my competitors, one by one, go with new digital printing platforms over the past few years,” Cox said. “In fact, a half dozen of my closest competitors put in the exact same digital press, and now they all seem to buy the same paper and inks. We chose to be different and carve out a new niche that answers the industry’s call for small to mid-sized folding carton runs.”
Wallace Carlson does have limited digital printing capabilities, but its expertise is in sheetfed litho.
Cox pointed to seven tenets that separate Wallace Carlson from its competitors:
Printing and Packaging: Wallace Carlson is a one-stop-shop for printing and packaging production. Many commercial printers are just now in the process of expanding into packaging design and printing. Wallace Carlson was likely among the first to successfully make that leap.
Advanced Capabilities: Wallace Carlson offers a wide variety of applications and features that drive customer differentiation, including specialty inks, satin coatings,
textured varnishes and metallic effects.
Technology: Wallace Carlson is committed to maintaining its competitive edge by continuing to invest in new technology. Wallace Carlson stocks its prepress, printing and finishing departments with equipment, software and consumables from Komori, Brausse, Fuji, Toyo and Artios, among others.
Quality: Wallace Carlson’s quality control capabilities include Komori’s onboard dual camera system, automation software, closed-loop color monitoring and a 100-point quality checklist that follows each job from order to shipping, just to name a few. The Komori press in use at Wallace Carlson is the only one in the United States with the dual camera system that inspects press sheets for flaws and defects, he noted.
Speed: Wallace Carlson is known for its ability to turn jobs around at lightning-fast speeds, without sacrificing quality, which is a huge benefit for its customers.
“Customers are always amazed at how fast work moves through here,” Cox noted. “Our speed is supported by our technology, processes, procedures and culture.”
Culture: Wallace Carlson’s culture is built on collaborative teamwork, high expectations, continuous improvement and transparency.
“We’re always looking to the future and investing in new technologies and ideas,” said Cox. “We build long-lasting relationships with customers, and what we do helps them build relationships with their customers. That’s the Wallace Carlson experience.”
Certifications: Wallace Carlson holds G7, GMI and FSC certifications and is HIPAA-compliant. The company is also woman-owned, as recognized by WEBENC and NAWBO.
Wallace Carlson uses Toyo inks “for several reasons,” per Cox.
“First, everything needs to work in sync,” the COO said. “Toyo inks are not only the cream of the crop, but they’re also very compatible with the Komori H-UV system.
“Second, Toyo is on the cutting-edge with their coatings and varnishes, and that helps keep us on the cutting-edge,” he continued. “And third, great service. Toyo involves us in its R&D and works with us on color calibration and quality assurance.”