Story in In Business was written by Kate Dekuijer

Steve & Carolyn Johnston, Print Mint

Print Mint has been in operation for 30 years and is one of the original ‘instant print’ companies in South Australia.

Since husband and wife team, Steve and Carolyn Johnston, bought the business in February 2006 they have made changes to ensure its continued longevity and success.

At the time when Print Mint went on the market they had already been looking for a small printing business for several years. They saw the established business as a perfect opportunity to utilise both of their skill sets.

Printing is a trade that Steve knows well; having worked in the industry for nearly 30 years in both Sydney and Adelaide at some of Australia’s largest printing organisations.

Carolyn has worked in management roles across the airline, media and recruitment industries in both the public and private sector. She has also been involved in two start-up organisations nationally and managed the role out of several new systems/projects during this time.

Carolyn was also a customer of Print Mint. She was impressed with the service and knew it had a good reputation.

Since taking ownership together they have made changes to the business that have since proved successful.

In June 2008 they relocated the business from Galwer Place to Flinders Street, out of the need for larger and more accessible premises.

“Our client base includes both the private and public sector with most of our customers based in the Adelaide CBD,” says Carolyn.

“Our new location at 59 Flinders Street, directly opposite the new Santos building, is more accessible for parking and we have a much larger area out the back for our digital and offset printing.

“It’s still very central and not far from Victoria Square, an area which has observed growth in office accommodation in the last 12 months.”

The initial decision for Steve and Carolyn to take on different areas of responsibility in the business has helped its development

“Now there are four of us at Print Mint, each with clearly defined work roles,” says Carolyn.

“Phil our Printer has been with Print Mint since we bought the company and Will our Graphic Artist/Pre-Press Operator has been with the company since February 2008.

Print Mint presently provides a full range of printing service both digital and offset printing to business in both the private and public sector from small one off jobs to larger corporate volumes including letterheads, business cards, to artwork and design services

Carolyn and Steve have altered operations to meet industry trends and demands.

“We have initiated eco-friendly practises which are in alignment with our own personal philosophies on self-sustainability,” says Carolyn.

“We now use vegetable-based inks and a full range of eco-friendly paper which are all ISO14001 compliant.

“Vegetable based ink takes longer to dry but, as a result, releases only around 2-4% VOCs into the atmosphere.

“We also use TruEnergy Green Energy where an amount of energy from renewable sources is then returned to the community power grid on our behalf.”

New technology has been implemented to increase available services and customer service, such as a new online ordering system and estimation/quotation system

“The system has enabled us to give consistent, competitive quotations in a timely manner. Our clients can have quotations emailed or faxed to them immediately,” says Carolyn.

“We have also purchased new digital printing equipment. A large format printer is able to print up to 1 meter wide to what ever length required in a variety of mediums including canvas printing.

Carolyn says they are aware of the importance to adapt and cater for changes in the industry.

“We are noticing that some companies prefer to put their newsletters and other internal correspondence online rather than paper based.

“Some companies are also decreasing print advertising and relying more on the internet.

“We are looking at ways of matching internet advertising to print advertising and emphasising the benefits of different mediums when advertising your company.

“Some clients have also reduced their spending or putting on hold any expenditure on printing due to the current climate.

“We had many clients in the mining and resource sector who have reduced their printing needs, which have had a definite impact on us.

Demand for legal printing, however, has increased.

“This has significantly grown for us over the last 18 months and we have improved our service standards to meet this need including a more secure environment for our clients printing, priority service with ‘Time Urgency’, checking systems, queuing facility and ability to do overnight and weekend jobs when required.

“We are both confident that the decisions we have made will benefit and secure the business for the future.”