Delano Printing has been in business for 15 years, and getting there has proved to be challenging at times. When you walk into Delano Printing’s unique space, it is clear that there is a story to be told.
Steve Johnson bought printing equipment and, with his wife Cindy, started this business from scratch. “I had worked as a press operator my entire career. I’m fortunate that I have always had a mechanical aptitude,” he says. He has been a printer since he graduated from high school, and most of his career was spent running large sheet-fed presses. During his career, he spent 15 years at Jet Quick Printing in Wayzata and another 15 years at Printing Arts in Minneapolis.
In 2002, Steve decided to make a life change and started up Delano Printing. A friend that he had taught how to run presses years before had opened his own printing company in Becker, Minnesota. He and grabbed lunch with Steve one day at the printing shop where he was working. By the time lunch was over, Steve had bought enough used equipment from him to open his own printing business.
Delano Printing had no customers on day one. Steve and Cindy passed out note pads introducing the start-up company at the Delano 4th of July Parade and opened 2 days later on July 6th 2002. Steve had little experience with computers at the time but was blessed by a graphic design student that was looking for an intern position. With someone in the shop, he was able to go out and meet with people in the community to drum up business. Later he hired the designer full time.
One print shop Steve had previously worked for had connections with Dayton Hudson, and the department store chain needed a large amount of bar codes printed for their many locations. Since Steve had the proper equipment, they gave the bar code jobs to Delano Printing. “Incredible things happened to lead us to where we are now,” Steve says.
In 2013 Delano Printing turned into a digital format shop from an offset print shop. “The switch happened quickly. I don’t like messing around, and I wanted to move on from offset printing. I just went for it,” Steve explains with no regrets.
After the switch from offset printing, Steve and Cindy started an antique business called Eclectic Archeology, in association with Delano Printing. “We have been trading in antiques on and off since the 1970s, and it got to a point where it just had to be a business,” he says. Their collection used to just be a hobby, but it continuously grew to the point where it’s now a large part of their business.
Steve says the favorite part of his job is simply being in his office. “I enjoy walking in each morning and knowing that what I do every day has potential.” Some days Steve spends time printing, and at other times you can find him selling antiques from Eclectic Archeology on eBay and Craigslist. “I always like being here. If and when I retire, I will miss having a fun place to go and do my work,” he says.
Sometimes Steve and Cindy put in long hours on the weekends going to auctions, flea markets, swap meets, and garage sales. They find themselves travelling all over Minnesota finding inventory for the Eclectic Archeology business. Steve’s weeks are full of different print and design challenges, but he doesn’t work from morning until night without a break. “I love the freedom to take a break to sit back, play guitar, and regroup,” he says.
Steve adds that he appreciates the relationships he builds with his customers. He’s had most of his business clients for many years and consistently receives new walk in business. The work includes full color design and print services, document copying, signs, vehicle graphics, and much more.
When discussing future plans, Steve mentions retirement somewhere down the road. “Retirement might be five years away, or it might be twenty years away. It might be here in Delano, or it might be in Florida. I don’t know,” he explains.
Steve says he’s most proud of being in business with his wife Cindy for 15 years. He says, “Some businesses don’t last six months, so to have survived this long is humbling.” Steve explains that his career path was unique in that opening a business after working somewhere for so long isn’t very common. He presents a simple value proposition to his customers: Big City Quality / Small Town Friendly.
Steve and Cindy have had a relationship with Crow River State Bank since the day it opened. He continued to be a customer through the transition to Minnesota Lakes Bank and has been valued by the bank for a long time. “Patrick (Baumgard) and I have been beating each other up for 100 years,” Steve laughs.
Putting their business future in perspective, Steve says, “We never wanted to be millionaires. We just want to continue to grow and try to do what we can to be a positive and productive part of the community until we retire. A special thanks to all of our customers at Delano Printing!”