Digital Print, Ink goes full-service

DPI owners Joy and Dave Adams started the business in 1979 and operated it as a Kwik Kopy franchise until their 25-year franchise agreement expired in 2004.

This “one-stop shop,” as Dave Adams calls it, provides small, medium, even large companies and universities design, print, copy and mail services.

The owners recently turned their focus to developing the design side of their company. With 12 employees, DPI is taking on new challenges including full-service marketing campaigns.

The Adamses are not looking to turn their nearly 27-year-old-business into an advertising agency, but they are certainly thrilled about DPI’s ability to compete with them.

The move has paid off.

In June, DPI’s design team was invited, along with several ad agencies, to pitch marketing pieces and a program for The Great Game of Business’ National Gathering of Games convention March 15–17 in St. Louis.

DPI walked away with the $25,000 contract, becoming the first nonadvertising company Great Game has worked with for this type of project.

“They came in with a wonderful idea,” said Beth Miller, director of communications for Great Game, of DPI’s Show Your Cards theme built on St. Louis’ casino industry. “I think one of the unique benefits to using them, because they’re not an ad agency, is they’re a little bit more creative and they can kind of put a unique, fresh spin on it because it’s not something they do every single day.”

The Great Game contract includes three marketing pieces at 10,000 copies apiece and 500 programs, all designed and printed by DPI.

Since being chosen to create and print the National Gathering of Games products, Great Game has awarded DPI other projects, including designing a logo and a booklet for The Great Game of Business Speakers Bureau.

While Great Game only recently discovered DPI, Bass Pro Shops and Reliable Chevrolet are among the loyal Springfield clients that Dave Adams said DPI relies on. Each company uses the business for several services on a regular basis.

Eric Volmer, promotions manager for Bass Pro Shops, said his company uses DPI for occasional sign printing, and more consistently, to print copies of sale ads that run in newspapers.

Volmer said he appreciates the quick turnaround and the friendly employees who know what he wants and will go out of their way to make it happen. Volmer said he has requested last-minute items several times and DPI can have them done the same day.

Reliable Chevrolet originally began using DPI to print business cards, repetitive forms, mailers and more, partly because of its location, said Chris Burns, accounts payable. DPI is located at 3464 S. Campbell, across the road from Reliable Chevrolet.

But Burns continues to go to DPI because of the company’s competitive pricing and quality service, and he now takes advantage of the Internet ordering DPI has made available through its Web site, www.digitalprintink.net.

Though DPI is expanding services and adding design work, about half of the company’s $1 million-plus revenues come from printing, Adams said. The other half is divided between digital imaging, graphic arts, bulk mailing, bindery and other services.

“Our niche is working with companies who would like an overall printed graphic design package – from concept and logo design through the printed pieces,” said Joy Adams.

How did the DPI team come up with the Show Your Cards campaign for Great Game of Business?

After being asked to present a concept for Great Game of Business, the DPI design team sat down and began brainstorming ideas. The designers then took a couple weeks and put the ideas to work, creating the beginnings of what would be the winning concept. The group chose to focus on tying together the Show Your Cards convention theme and the popularity of casino gaming in St. Louis, where the convention is held.

Digital Print, Ink

Founded: 1979

Owners: Joy and Dave Adams

Address: 3464 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO 65807

Phone: (417) 881-5309

Fax: (417) 881-5017

Web site: www.digitalprintink.net

Services: Design, copying, printing and bulk mailing

2005 Revenues: $1 million+

Employees: 12[[In-content Ad]]