PUTNAM — Senator Mae Flexer (D-Danielson) recently visited Chase Graphics and met with staff, to tour the facility and learn about what has made the company a continued success.

One local printing company is alive and well and keeping its employees busy – even in the digital age of internet click-through design and shopping sites.

Founded in 1929, Chase Graphics Inc. in Putnam continues to compete with other, larger companies in the region and serves over 2,000 customers within a 30 to 50 mile radius of its School Street printing and sales shop. The company, owned by Jim and Deb St. Jean, has evolved along with print technology, and has invested in high-tech equipment – including a state of the art 4 color Komori printing press and large format banner printer – in order to provide its customers with high-quality designs and merchandise.

“The scale and quality of what Chase Graphics is doing in northeastern Connecticut is really impressive, and shows that small businesses can stay competitive through excellent customer service and quality products,” said Sen. Flexer. “This industry is particularly tough for small businesses, which basically have to compete with the entirety of the internet now. But companies and everyday customers appreciate that they’re going to get a great product, done exactly the way they want it done, for a good price when they come to Chase. And they know they’re going to get personal service with a ‘real person’ who makes sure their product comes out exactly how they hoped it would. That’s a reputation they’ve earned, and I am glad to see that they are continuing to embrace the community values that have made them a staple of our region.”

Chase Graphics does in-house design and printing for projects ranging from business brochures and wedding invitations, to large banners and blueprint copies. The majority of Chase’s 10 employees have worked there for at least 16 years, and consider it a family.

“This business has definitely changed over the years and there have been challenges, but the community has really started promoting the ‘buy local’ mentality, and we see that in the new costumers who come in – they seek us out because they want to buy local and they hear about us from other people who have worked with us and are very satisfied,” said Jim St. Jean, who has owned and operated the business with his wife Deb since 1988.

“We have a lot of loyal customers who stay with the company, because once they trust you, they know they are going to get a great product – so they always come back,” said Account Executive Jennifer Beckett, who has been with Chase for sixteen years and began as a driver, before working her way up to her current position. “People come here because of customer service and quality control, and that builds long-term relationships.”