Solo Printing -- Vision Leads to Success

April 2009 By Erik Cagle
Senior Editor

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THE WORLD is full of people who grouse about the company they work for, bemoaning the manner in which operations are conducted, and placated by the notion that if they were in charge, things would be done differently. That way, things would be done the right way.

The world contains more grousers than entrepreneurs. And that’s simply because few people have the gumption, the nerve, the chutzpah, to step out from their comfort zone and take a chance in life. It’s much easier to gripe—and a lot safer—than to stick your neck out.

Manny and Jorge Hernandez, who began their respective careers working for other printing companies, could have chosen the grouser tact. But these brothers didn’t just want to be in charge. They had a vision of what they considered the ideal printing company, and now they can stake claim to being co-owners of one of South Florida’s finest.

“Why work for somebody else?” Manny Hernandez philosophizes. “We said to ourselves, let’s just go ahead and do it. We saw what was being done wrong at other print shops, and we didn’t want to make those same mistakes with our company. We were both very young, so we put our energy and our own way of thinking into the business.”

Their own way of thinking forged the identity of Solo Printing, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In that short span of time, the company has grown to a $20 million annual performer with 100 employees, providing web and sheetfed offset printing for retail, travel and communications customers. The Miami-based business also provides testing materials for the education sector.

From Humble Beginnings

The company started out producing letterhead, stationery and flyers in a 1,400-square-foot warehouse, but now cranks out brochures, catalogs and publications—along with a full range of general commercial printing products—in a 100,000-square-foot facility. While operating in a segment and marketplace that are fraught with overcapacity and intense competition, Solo Printing has managed to make its slice of South Florida even hotter with a staple of business success.

“Every single industry in America falls short when it comes to customer service,” notes Jorge Hernandez. “We can’t lose sight that our customers put the bread on your table. Since day one, we’ve worked hard to provide exceptional customer service and to provide a personal touch. 

• MORE ON
• SHEETFED OFFSET PRINTING
• WEB OFFSET PRINTING