We had an open house recently for the members in our Sonoma County Executives business networking and referral group. We had been planning it for weeks and everyone got involved in the preparations. It was sort of like having the entire family over to your house for a holiday meal, only in July.

The weather cooperated beautifully, as the day before the temperature was in the 90′s, but on this evening it was a beautiful summer day with the cooling breeze coming from the ocean and our large roll up doors open, bringing in plenty of fresh air.

We had explanations of offset printing, digital printing and letterpress printing. During the letterpress demonstration, I was explaining how we are using presses that were built 40 or more years ago, based on the printing practices that were hundreds of years old. While the printing practices are old, we’ve adopted modern plastics technology to make photopolymer plates instead of using the traditional lead type.

Afterward, one of our guests pointed out how it was ironic that the computer and modern imaging practices had impacted the printing industry so much, and yet it was the internet and our website that was making it possible for us to be printing letterpress wedding invitations for clients all over the world.

I was struck by this observation and realized that, yes we are given new opportunities in today’s business climate to be versatile and innovative. My son, home from college, is fond of reminding me that every business must innovate or perish. Certainly here at Ajalon we have been reinventing ourselves and approaching situations with new eyes.

We are always on the lookout to find new ways to make business cards more economically, to save our clients money. We try to stay on top of the changes in the printing industry so that we can use the latest proven technology to meet our client’s needs in this ever speeding up world.

We try to stay on the leading edge of innovation. This allows us to utilize processes that benefit our clients, but does not find us chasing after the latest unproven idea.

One of our local building supply stores had this headline in a full page ad in the paper. It led me to reflect on what service is at Ajalon Printing & Design.

First, service is having a comprehensive inventory. This is true. You can’t deliver what you don’t have. Our access to paper, be it tree free, recycled, FSC certified, or the many specialty pages that we have available to us, means that we can provide the paper that our clients want.

Service is a staff that can answer your questions. One of the guiding values in dealing with all people, over the 60 years we have been printing for businesses in Sonoma County, is to answer their questions directly and openly, guiding them to their best choices.

Three of our staff members have over 20 years experience in the graphic arts industry each. Our experience is hard won and freely offered.

Service is being open for business. When you call Ajalon Printing, a person answers the phone and you are not sent into a phone tree jungle of “push this button if.” We don’t hide behind technology, but use it to better serve our customer.

Service is delivery. On time and when you need it. We always endeavor to meet your needs for delivery time. We have access to the means to give you what you want when you want, at a price that pleases you.

Service is having comprehensive abilities. If you need graphic design, marketing consultation, mailing services or just want to bounce your ideas off a receptive ear, we can do it. We also print, fold, score, die cut, foil stamp, emboss, mail, address, and print variable data on just about any project you have in mind.

Service is service after the sale. Ajalon is not going away. We have been here over 60 years and have always stood with the business community of Sonoma County, helping grow and strengthen individuals and corporations.

I love paper, I love words, their meanings and etymology and design.  Is it any wonder that I love printing?

I recently came across a word that describes well the printing industry today.  It is versatile.  It’s first meaning is having an aptitude for various tasks or occupations; many sided.  It comes from the Latin word vertere, to turn.

Today’s printer has to be versatile.  Yesterday’s printer could often work alone, doing all the operations necessary, such as writing, setting type and printing.

The modern print shop is anything but simple.  At Ajalon we have over 10 devices to put images onto paper.  Each with its own requirements.  And we have six computers involved in producing the words and images that are to be printed  on those machines.

All this leads to an environment that demands today’s print shop to be staffed by well trained, versatile people.

Ajalon has been printing in Sonoma County for over 50 years.  During that time much has changed, including the needs of our clients. We pride ourselve on being versatile and innovative in anticipating the needs of our clients, while providing a trusted and reliable source for all their printing needs.