Kenmore Undressed

Jet City Printing – Kenmore’s Answer to Kinkos (and all the rest)

Jet City Printing

6134 NE Bothell Way

Kenmore, WA 98028

(425) 485-8611

http://www.jetcityprinting.com

Jet City Printing is one of those Kenmore businesses that lies on uber-busy HWY 522. It’s easy to pass by. In fact, I’ve been driving past JCP for many years on my way to work and, I’ll be the first to admit it, I never considered it as my printing-merchant-of-choice. I’m like everyone else. I’ve used many other “big name” providers simply because they were convenient, fast and cheap.

As a Realtor® I have printed a lot of materials over the years: fliers, envelopes, post cards, business cards and signs. Trust me, I know a quality product when I see (and pay for it). So, as it turns out, it was my burning need for a new (and hopefully creative) business card that brought me to Jet City. I wasn’t disappointed:

Since 1984

Jerry Dugan, the owner of Jet City Printing, started in the print store business back in 1984 after a 20 year career at the SeattlePI. At that time changes in the paper’s business model inspired him to start his own business and he’s been an owner ever since. Jerry is quite proud of his business and was quite open about discussing the realities of being in the printing business, especially in this tough economy:

“The printing business has always been highly competitive,” he explained. “In the past, before the internet transformed the industry, one could compete if one could provide two of these three things: 1) Quality, 2) Timeliness and 3) Price. In today’s world we must provide all three!”

So how does Jet City Printing provide these three things? Well, first and foremost, Jerry has a wonderful staff. My experience with Janice, his customer service specialist and Chris, his designer, was fantastic. They were able to focus in on my need for a better business card and produced them extremely quickly. They suggested I spend a little money to create a custom card and Chris worked with me very collaboratively to come up with something fun yet professional.  From my first design consultation with Chris to the completion of the card, it took 3 business days. And check this out:

Not only does the card have a techie-21st Century look, it really captures my business outlook. It’s also colorful and informative. And the most important thing: my wife loves it!

A Big Shop!

Second, Jerry has a huge shop and years of experience with a wide variety of printing projects. It’s interesting to note that fully 60% of his business is not-local and most of it is corporate (e.g. standard forms, letter head, envelopes, etc). Actually, I was shocked by the physical size of Jet City Printing. It’s huge! And dont forget, JCP produces high quality products for people like you and me!

Pleasantly Surprised

Many people have asked me why I do blog posts about businesses in Kenmore? To be honest, I’ve always been fascinated with how businesses work. I’m not so much concerned with the mechanics of bookkeeping, P&L reports and all that. It’s fascinating to meet people who have found customer needs and are able to satisfy them. In today’s economy, I’ve been getting an education on just how resiliant and resourseful business owners have become.

Additionally, I want consumers to know that Kenmore, WA’s business community offers a huge number of goods and services that we overlook. Why go to Kinkos or Costco for your printing needs when you can support a local business? Why, order business cards from an anonymous printing service in North Carolina over the internet, when you can work with the print shop owner who actually cares about your project and, as Jerrry Dugan did, gets excited about providing you with a high quality product?

So, next time you’re passing through Kenmore on your way to print off a flier for your business or design a brochure, don’t go to “the other places,” stop in at Jet City Printing for all your printing needs.

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