about us

{and other fun stuff}

O U R  H I S T O R Y

Balatone {Press} started as JD’s Offset Magic in 1991. A home based print (garage) shop that moved to Country Club Drive in Mesa in 2004. After purchasing a letterpress shop in 2006 the two companies were combined. Joseph Crouse, the owner, has 34 years of printing experience ranging from offset to continuous to letterpress and foil stamp. He has managed in-house and commercial operations as well as operating process color presses to small offset duplicators. The dedicated staff at Balatone Press has a combined experience of over 87 years. The shop does printing and finishing work on presses that were built between the 1930’s and the 1970’s. There is even a fully operational press that was made in 1897!

 

O U R   N A M E

Balatone {Press} is named after the hardest working but least visible and lowest paid member of the entire team, Gabriella (Balatoni) Crouse.  It’s an Americanized version of the word Balaton which is the largest lake in Gabi’s native Hungary.  I added the “e” so it would be easier to pronounce correctly and presto – the old country and the new country have combined to name our letterpress shop.  It also scored big points with the in-laws.

 

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