Complete Story
01/29/2020
Print Week 2020 - Northern Region's Hall of Distinction Inductee
Each year members of the Northern Ohio graphic arts community gather to honor outstanding individuals who have given of their time and talents to help further the goals of the Graphic Arts Community by honoring them with membership in the Hall of Distinction.
These individuals represent the best the industry has to offer and are selected based on the following criteria:
- Widely recognized success in the graphic communications industry
- Significant contribution of time and talent to trade and professional organizations
- Help and encouragement for young people interested in careers in the graphic communications industry
- Advice and counseling for those seeking employment in the industry
- Contributions to the general northern Ohio community outside of the industry including charitable participation and contributions, fundraising, volunteer support and promotion of civic initiatives
During our 2020 Northern Region Ben’s Bash, we are honored to induct an industry professional into the prestigious Hall of Distinction. This individual represents all criteria and have made great impacts on the industry and individuals belonging to it. We are honored to congratulate Rich Phillips of R&R Graphics.
As a young man in Jr. High, Rich’s first bump into the printing world was Print Shop 101 and 102. He began learning on letterpress, and he remembers the California job case, setting a job one letter at a time, upside down and backwards. Hard, manual work, but that was the 60’s!
Fast forward to the late 70’s where Rich answered an ad in the Beacon for an electronic technician for Metzger Photo Supply. He filled out an application and got the job in the service department. There Rich learned how to adjust parts on reproduction cameras and tray develop to confirm size and focus accuracy. The company made sure all techs were properly trained, so he traveled to service seminars for exposure systems, film and plate processors, and proofing systems for Kodak, DuPont, Fuji, 3M, and Glunz and Jensen.
Shortly after Metzger Photo Supply changed ownership, around ’91-’92, Rich thought it was time for a change himself. During this time, he ran across an old friend who worked for DuPont who asked him if he would like to get retrained and certified with his company again for 3rd party service. So Rich traveled to Chicago a few times and became fully engrossed in the service world again. He also gained recertification from most of the other manufacturers during that same time. Rich then helped begin R&R Graphics Inc.
A couple of busy years went by and Rich got the idea to smooth talk his best friend, Keith Nine, into coming over to R&R. Keith was very well known as one of the best in Northeast Ohio, and had worked with Rich at Metzger’s. Bill Hughes came on board a few years later from Fuji and served as their liaison.
Rich is still the co-owner of R&R Graphics Inc., and is extremely thankful to the people he has met along the way, most importantly his wife Rita. Together they raised three young men who, in turn, have paid them back with thirteen grandchildren.
Join us on February 6th at the 100th Bomb Group to celebrate Rich's achievements, as well as the 2020 Print Excellence Award winners!
More info about the Print Week Events:
Join us to review and honor all the wonderful printed work in Ohio, N.Kentucky and Michigan. Put your region's event on your calendar and celebrate the best of the best AND take part in choosing the best of the best. Attend one (or more) of the regional banquets and you can vote for that region's People's Choice Award.
Print Week Events:
The Central Region Banquet will honor Print Excellence Awards winners at the Creekside Conference and Event Center in Gahanna on January 30th at 6:00 pm. The banquet will start at 6:00 p.m. Registration is $80, and Non-member is $160.
Creekside Conference and Event Center
700 Creekside Plaza
Gahanna, OH 43230
To register, CLICK HERE.
The Northern Region combines the fun and the awards at the annual Ben's Bash. Join us on Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 pm. This event will be the highlight of the print scene; don't miss it! Registration is $55, and Non-member is $110.
100th Bomb Group
20920 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44135
To register, CLICK HERE.
The Michigan Region will recognize it's first year Print Excellence Awards winners in conjunction with the February Regional Advisory Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th. The PEA winners will be recognized at this joint event with the Detroit Craftsmen Club. The event begins at 5:30 pm.
Printing Industries of America's President, Michael Makin, will present the State of the Industry and address what the future holds for the printing industry! He will also discuss the upcoming PIA and SGIA merger.
