Member of the Week 10/31/2022 -- Murr Printing & Graphics
For the first 20 years in business, a line of printing presses completed most of the jobs at Murr Printing & Graphics. As forms and documents have shifted to digital, that has changed the structure of the pressroom and the industry as a whole. Murr Printing has been selective in keeping the presses and tools most vital to their operation. They continue to adapt and find ways to maximize efficiency and quality across their business.
“I find that over the years, industry has to change with the times,” Joe Murr, President of Murr Printing & Graphics said.
A FAMILY BUSINESS
Brothers Joe and Bob Murr established Murr’s Quick Printing in 1980. The small print shop at the foot of Beall Avenue quickly became recognized as a place to go for friendly service in Wooster.
In 1985, the Murr brothers bought the brick building on the northeast corner of E. North Street and N. Buckeye Street that had formerly housed Weitzel's Drycleaning, and moved their growing business into this location.
Joe took over the operations in 1997 when Bob decided to move out of state. After more than 40 years in business, Joe has maintained the original mission of Murr Printing while expanding the business and covering a territory that spans a 50-mile radius of central Ohio.
Joe’s daughters, Joanne Burtt and Wendy Topp, grew up with the business and have both returned to help with the operations.
“I think the variety of the things that we can do makes it interesting. People can call and ask about any graphics that they need and we can let them know if we can help them out,” Joe said.
CHANGING WITH THE TIMES
Keeping up with technology has allowed them to remain relevant for their customers through the many changes that the printing industry has experienced. Increasing efficiency with the copiers and staying in tune with the ways they can best be of service has helped their business grow.
By making sure that the copy machines are what they need to fulfill customers' orders Murr Printing is able to accommodate a variety of printing requests. Attachments and upgrades to the printers have allowed them to use those machines to complete tasks such as stapling and collating, which previously required the use of multiple machines. The collator still occupies a space in the print shop, but is no longer in use as the copy machines take care of that task for them. Through the years, Murr Printing has recognized when they need to upgrade and when they can still utilize some of the older machines, such as the paper cutter and the two remaining printing presses.
THE PAPER TIGER
Prior to starting the print shop, Bob Murr was in the paper sales business selling to print shops. Bob’s handle over the CB radios was the Paper Tiger, which then turned into the well-known tiger logo of Murr Printing.
A TEAM OF ARTISTS
The Murr Employee Art Gallery features works from some of the print shop’s artists. Prints, magnets, and other creations fill the wall where employees have the opportunity to display and sell their work.
Staff member Ed Marthey currently has work featured in a solo art show titled Landscapes: “Real & Imagined” which runs until December 9 at the Wooster Community Hospital Outpatient Pavilion.
CONTACT
Murr Printing is able to accept digital files via email and they will send you a PDF proof for your review. Send your files to joe@murrprinting.com.