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PITTSBURG —
It’s no secret that Pittcraft Printing is the official Printer of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas Jayhawks and Pittsburg State University. Those facts are proudly proclaimed on the front of the company’s facility in downtown Pittsburg.
But a new banner now proclaims that the long-time Pittsburg business now has printing rights for both Kansas City professional sports teams. Pittcraft recently secured a three-year deal to be the official printer of the Kansas City Royals, a deal that means plenty of additional business and lots of publicity for the company, especially because the Royals will host the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.
Pittcraft president Tim Collar said a contact at KU introduced him to a Royals representative in January of 2011. But Collar said after the initial contact he had to wait another six months to get the ball rolling.
“We were at the right place, at the right time, with the right people,” Collar said. “Doing all the printing for KU really helped open the door for other work.”
Work on the Royals items started earlier this year and will continue through the summer, said account manager Susan Mathes. Teams no longer print individual programs for each game. Instead, Pittcraft will print hundreds of thousands of 56-page booklets that will be passed out at games and highlight several series at once. The company also is making refrigerator magnets and putting together thousands of Royals gift boxes that contain tote bags, jerseys, coupons, ticket vouchers and identification cards.
“We’re working overtimes and weekends because we’re so busy,” Mathes said.
Summer typically is the slow season at Pittcraft during the lull between football and basketball seasons. Mathes said the Royals account arrived at the perfect time.
“It’s a really nice account to fill our schedule,” Mathes said. “It keeps our shop running through the summer.”
Pittcraft also is handling printing operations for this year’s All Star game. The Royals last hosted one about 40 years ago.
“We’re working directly with Major League Baseball in New York,” Mathes said. “They keep the printing local for each team and event.”
The Royals deal comes with a string: Pittcraft must purchase a rights package from the Royals which guarantees a certain amount of business in return. That’s not to say there aren’t perks, though. Pittcraft gets visibility in the form of signage and advertising, as well as a number of game tickets.
It’s no secret that Pittcraft Printing is the official Printer of the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas Jayhawks and Pittsburg State University. Those facts are proudly proclaimed on the front of the company’s facility in downtown Pittsburg.
But a new banner now proclaims that the long-time Pittsburg business now has printing rights for both Kansas City professional sports teams. Pittcraft recently secured a three-year deal to be the official printer of the Kansas City Royals, a deal that means plenty of additional business and lots of publicity for the company, especially because the Royals will host the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.
Pittcraft president Tim Collar said a contact at KU introduced him to a Royals representative in January of 2011. But Collar said after the initial contact he had to wait another six months to get the ball rolling.
“We were at the right place, at the right time, with the right people,” Collar said. “Doing all the printing for KU really helped open the door for other work.”
Work on the Royals items started earlier this year and will continue through the summer, said account manager Susan Mathes. Teams no longer print individual programs for each game. Instead, Pittcraft will print hundreds of thousands of 56-page booklets that will be passed out at games and highlight several series at once. The company also is making refrigerator magnets and putting together thousands of Royals gift boxes that contain tote bags, jerseys, coupons, ticket vouchers and identification cards.
“We’re working overtimes and weekends because we’re so busy,” Mathes said.
Summer typically is the slow season at Pittcraft during the lull between football and basketball seasons. Mathes said the Royals account arrived at the perfect time.
“It’s a really nice account to fill our schedule,” Mathes said. “It keeps our shop running through the summer.”
Pittcraft also is handling printing operations for this year’s All Star game. The Royals last hosted one about 40 years ago.
“We’re working directly with Major League Baseball in New York,” Mathes said. “They keep the printing local for each team and event.”
The Royals deal comes with a string: Pittcraft must purchase a rights package from the Royals which guarantees a certain amount of business in return. That’s not to say there aren’t perks, though. Pittcraft gets visibility in the form of signage and advertising, as well as a number of game tickets.
“When it’s all said and done, it’s probably not the most profitable account because the money you make you have to give right back,” Collar said. “But the credibility and exposure, it grows your business as you do business with a group like that.”
The Royals have ranked among the lower-finishing teams in the American League for many years, but Collar said he’s happy about the opportunity.
“My plan is obviously, just do a good job, which we will do, and hopefully they’ll extend us in future years,” he said. “I’m excited about the Royals, because they’re an up-and-coming team. At an event I attended, George Brett came out and talked about how the Royals remind him of when he was playing, all the players were friends and all hung out together and ate together. That camaraderie is important with the success of baseball teams.”
Andrew Nash contributed to this report.
