One Century on the Books

The year is 2011. This year marks the 100th year of the incorporation of Printed Specialties Inc. (division of Keystone Printing).

Keystone Printing, started in 1903 in Scranton, PA by Philip J. Fischer.

Incorporated in 1911 by Philip J. Fischer, then Keystone Printed Specialties, the company started out producing trading stamps, later adding other specialty items such as posters, billboards & calendars. In 1924, Keystone began printing record labels. Then in 1928, die-cut items, such as jigsaw puzzles and folding cartons became the main focus of production. By the 1980's, Keystone Printing was one of the leading manufacturers of record labels and other items for the recording industry.

Philip J. Fischer passed away in 1939, leaving his son Philip G. Fischer to take over. He was Keystone Printed Specialties' President & CEO until 1988. P.G. Fischer's son, Martin C. Fischer took over as President & CEO until selling the business in 2005.

Printed Specialties became incorporated in the State of Georgia in 1983 by P. G. Fischer. At the time, Printed Specialties was a division of Keystone Printed Specialties in Scranton, PA. P. G. Fischer was the President of both factions. In 1994, his daughter Karen F. Smith purchased Printed Specialties, making it a separate and distinct company. Being the new President, she had to help lead the company from commercial printing and into paperboard packaging (cartons, CD & DVD packaging, mailers, etc.).

Later in 2008, Karen's son, Gregory M. Smith, was promoted to President of Printed Specialties Inc. and Karen was promoted to CEO/Chairman of the Board. Greg has given a wealth of computer knowledge and updated all the systems. He also brought in a fervent desire to build the company into a packaging company that is known for its quality, unique packaging ideas, personal service to each client, and the best all around customer service. Greg Smith marks the fourth generation in this family business.

Printed Specialties no doubt has a rich and lush printing history, which is why we are proud of where we've come from and where that is leading us. All this year we will be celebrating and remembering our past, and giving bits of information (plus more old time-y looking pictures that are actually old time-y!), to let you into our family's background. Not many family owned businesses can say that they have been around and managed to keep it within the family as long as we have.

Be sure to check out our main website printedspecialties.com for more information!

Be well,