Kevin Hardsock and Eric Handley recall a prospective client who, after working with a large out-of-state supplier, was frustrated with the outcomes. While the service was passable, the whole customer service platform lacked a human touch. As the client explained to Hardsock and Handley, every call meant starting over with someone new. No dedicated rep. No familiar voice. No continuity.
That all changed when they signed on with Express Press.
From the start, the South Bend, Indiana-based company assigned its new customer a dedicated sales rep and customer service representative. The Express Press team—led by VPs Hardsock and Handley—streamlined their new client’s print and promotional needs, particularly proactively catching errors before they went to press. The partnership proved so valuable that when the client moved to a new company, one of her first calls was to Express Press for support.
“She values our partnership and attention to detail so much that she trusts us to deliver every time,” Hardsock says.
That story isn’t an outlier; it’s how Express Press has grown—through consistency, care and the kind of relationships that turn customers into lifelong partners.
Express Press’ disciplined and forward-thinking rise is grounded in a full-service approach. What began as a quick print shop has become a marketing engine offering design, print, mail, web-to-print and fulfillment solutions—all focused on helping clients work smarter. “We pride ourselves on being a complete source for business communications,” Hardsock says. “When chosen with purpose, the right technology doesn’t just improve quality—it improves efficiency, saves money and strengthens our partnerships.”
At Express Press, innovation and service don’t exist in silos—they’re built to work together. Over the years, the company has invested in both cutting-edge equipment and experienced people, creating a full-service operation designed for speed, precision and consistency.
“Growth is achieved by increasing sales. But it’s sustained through operational efficiency. When you’re profitable, you can reinvest in technology and training.“
– Kevin Hardsock, VP, Express Press
From adding prepress and mailing capabilities to rolling out web-to-print portals that allow clients to reorder materials on demand, Express Press has steadily evolved to meet the moment. That tech-forward mindset is strengthened by strategic partnerships, including one with FUJIFILM Business Innovation Division that helped reduce turnaround times and operating costs. “The industry has shifted to digital,” Handley says. “Inkjet and toner keep getting better—with higher quality at lower costs and quicker turn times.”
To stay ahead, Express Press replaced its legacy offset capacity with a lean, digital-first ecosystem. At the heart of that workflow is FUJIFILM’s REVORIA PRESS™ PC1120, chosen for its ability to deliver offset-quality color with unmatched substrate flexibility. Next to it, the KR FireJet inkjet envelope press has transformed what used to be a logistical challenge—short-run color envelopes—into a fast, high-margin service. The Express Press team also just signed on to acquire another REVORIA PRESS™.
“Investing in equipment allows lower costs and faster speeds without compromising quality,” Handley says.
People-Powered Progress, Technology-Driven Results
But technology alone isn’t enough. Behind every piece of equipment is a seasoned team that brings deep industry knowledge to every project. Every sales rep at Express Press has more than 20 years of experience. The average tenure across the company is 16 years. On the shop floor, cross-trained employees understand how each part of the process impacts the next—from mailing requirements to bindery timelines.
“In a world where price drives so many conversations, our edge is service and consistency,” Handley says. “Our team shows up with a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude.”
That mindset shows up in the way problems are solved, too. When something doesn’t go as planned, the company doesn’t assign blame—it runs post-mortems to learn, improve and prevent repeat issues. The culture is rooted in continuous growth, guided by Vince Lombardi’s mantra: “We will relentlessly pursue perfection, knowing full well we will never achieve it, but by doing so we will achieve excellence.”
Innovation extends beyond the pressroom. Express Press’s custom web-to-print portals give clients 24/7 access to their brand materials. On the backend, Plan Prophet integrates CRM and production to automate reminders for quotes, proofs and invoices—leading to fewer errors, faster cash flow and more reinvestment opportunities.
The company’s growth strategy is refreshingly straightforward: invest in tools that lower costs, and in people who raise the bar. That approach has helped Express Press navigate market shifts—from the 2008 financial crisis to pandemic disruptions—and emerge stronger each time.
Looking ahead, Express Press sees opportunity not in press size, but in agility. As toner and inkjet platforms continue to evolve, speed, personalization and flexibility are becoming the new standards. Even short runs require smart segmentation and fast turnarounds. Express Press is already there.
“Growth is achieved by increasing sales,” Hardsock says. “But it’s sustained through operational efficiency. When you’re profitable, you can reinvest in technology and training.”
In an industry defined by disruption, Express Press is proving that the most powerful innovations happen when great people and great equipment work together. The result is more than output. It’s excellence—delivered at scale, speed and service levels that today’s clients demand.
