By Greg Sullings, General Manager – Offset Division, Precision Group (now retired).
Words of wisdom from Greg Sullings on how to experience the magic of printing
Firstly, I did not write this article. It was written by my colleagues Rich and Emma after talking with me. So those who know me will know these do not sound like my words, but I stand by their meaning. Below you’ll find words of wisdom from our GM Offset Print – Greg Sullings on how to experience the magic of printing.
Secondly, if you are reading this I have retired from Precision Group and embarking on the next million things I have on my to-do list!
I’ve been printing since before some of you were born. Over 45 years in this industry, I’ve run presses, run businesses, and printed just about everything anyone could want. From commercial work for big corporations to charity campaigns that make a difference, I’ve seen it all. And I’ll tell you this: it’s magic.
The best part? Holding something you’ve created in your hands. Fresh ink on paper smells better than any coffee I’ve had in my life, and don’t get me started on a perfect register on a full-colour job—that’s the stuff that makes a printer grin like an idiot. Machines, materials, techniques—it’s an art and a science. And, yes, after 45 years, I still find joy in it.
Printing can be a nightmare. Machines break at the worst moment. Clients “forget” to tell you they changed the logo colours—or the paper stock—halfway through a run. Deadlines are sacred, but somehow always feel like suggestions. And the hours? The work doesn’t stop because you’ve had a bad night’s sleep. The bindery doesn’t care. The press doesn’t care. Only the job matters.
I’ve seen trends come and go. Digital, variable data, short runs—whatever. They all have their place but offset printing will never die. It’s reliable, precise, and it still looks and feels better than most things. And the craft? That takes decades to learn. You can read manuals all day, watch a million YouTube tutorials, but until you’ve adjusted a press at 2 a.m. while a client waits, you haven’t really learned it.
Some lessons I’ve picked up along the way:
- Shortcuts always end up longer. Always.
- Ink and humidity have a love-hate relationship.
- A jammed press is the best teacher, and the loudest.
- Respect your team—machines are dumb, people aren’t.
- Look after your machine-you would be surprised.
If you want printing done right, it takes knowledge, experience, and a willingness to work hard. If you’re not ready for that, go make an app instead.
Before I go, I want to leave a simple message: printing is hard, frustrating, messy, and occasionally beautiful. It’s a craft worth respecting, a skill worth learning, and a business that—done properly—still makes a difference.
And if you ever wonder why a job looks perfect? That’s because someone sweated over it for hours and didn’t take a single shortcut.
—Greg
