The Journey of Litho Press: Over Seven Decades of Printing Mastery
Since 1953, Litho Press has evolved from humble beginnings to a 70-year-strong leader in large format printing, specializing in litho labels and top sheets. A testament to enduring commitment and innovation, we proudly thrive as a family-owned and operated business.
Generational Leadership and Print Industry Roots
In 1953, Bebe Lacy sent his son, Jack Lacy, a letter saying he was leaving his job to start his own printing company. When Jack came home from serving overseas, he quit his job as a stockbroker and took over sales at his father’s new company. Over sixty years later, Litho Press is still family-owned and operated — a fact we’re deeply proud of.
Today, Litho Press is run by Jack’s sons, Bernie and John Lacy. Co-Presidents of Litho Press, both Bernie and John have a long-standing history of growing up in the print industry and working at their father’s company through various roles to learn the business.
“I remember as a child coming through the printing plant with my father,” recounts Bernie, “looking at loads of printing and checking things out when I was just a small boy. In high school, I worked in the shipping department, and after college, I came to work in sales in 1984. My dad was running the printing plant then, so I worked under him and his people for a while. I slowly transitioned to President and my brother and I run the company now.”
John worked at Litho Press in the summer during college until he graduated from Indiana University in 1985. In 1988, John joined Jack and Bernie at Litho Press. He started in estimating and quickly moved to CSR and then to sales before taking over as VP of Production.
In 1990, he and Bernie began overseeing the company in tandem, carrying on the family legacy and pushing Litho Press forward to the forefront of the large press industry.
Evolving Print Focus: From Collateral to Corrugated Excellence
In 1984, everything was film-based. Taking proofs, picking up artboards, and having separations done was a very hands-on process.
In the 1990’s, Litho Press took a strategic shift away from printing standard collateral material and turned toward the corrugated packaging and retail display print arena. Finding success in the change to large format printing, Litho Press began focusing solely on large litho labels and top sheets for the corrugated packing industry, leveraging advanced technology.
(Old printing press)
Today, the work has evolved along with the technology. Digital files sent over the internet now allow large format printers to turn jobs quickly, often in a single day.
John explained, “With our focus on large top sheets and litho labels for the corrugated industry, it’s amazing how quickly we can move things now.
“It’s mind-blowing how you go from printing business cards and letterheads and envelopes to brochures and annual reports, and then all of a sudden you pivot into packaging. Which has really saved us,” said Bernie. “And to see all of our competitors who have gone by the wayside and couldn’t make it – it’s amazing if you’re still a printing company alive today. If you were going in the 70s and 80s of the last century, it’s a long shot if you survived and thank God we’re still here.”
Nationwide Trust: Leading the Industry from Indianapolis
Today, Litho Press is a large format, offset, and digital printing company specializing in retail packaging, litho labels, and top sheets. With top print technology, Litho Press is trusted to print all types of substrates from paper, plastic, foil board, and styrene, in large sizes to meet any print need.
Our headquarters are located in Indianapolis, but we’re trusted by the largest corrugated and packaging companies across the U.S. Litho Press leads the industry in innovation and print standards, delivering consistent, accurate color from proof to print. We’re G7 Master Printer certified and home to the world’s largest inline cold foiling press.
People-First Philosophy: Tradition Meets Innovation
While Litho Press is constantly adding new equipment and technology, in over 70 years of business, we’ve never strayed far from our roots. We continue to be a people-first company that believes in relationships over profit. We’re not happy unless we’re making our clients’ lives easier with freakin’ fast printing services and amazing customer service.
We work hard to deliver our litho labels and top sheets to customers quickly. Fast shipping is important to us because it is important to our customers.
“I’ve made sure that we are a customer-driven company. So no one on my staff is allowed to tell a customer “no” or “we can’t do something” to a client,” said Bernie. “I’m the only one who is allowed to say no to a client. That’s totally different from a production point of view. At Litho, the customers run the show. Whatever they need, we’ll make it happen.”
Here’s to another seventy years of serving you with unwavering expertise and deep devotion to the best people, processes, and large printing press technology.
LITHO PRESS MIGHT BE FUN ENOUGH FOR THREE GENERATIONS OF LACYS, BUT THEY AREN’T THE ONLY ONES SPENDING THEIR CAREERS HERE.
Get to know our team and reach out to see how they can help with your litho label and top sheet needs.
