ATHOL — There was a time when all published works had to be penned by scribes. But Johannes Gutenberg’s introduction of a movable type press in Europe in the 15th century changed the game and created an industry that to this day serves as Ted Chase’s bread and butter.
Chase owns The Highland Press at 59 Marble St. and still uses the machinery that revolutionized the world centuries ago.
“We’ve got it covered, from Gutenberg’s day to digital technologies,” he said. “There’s not much we can’t do.”
The Highland Press, founded by Lester Bassett in 1925, is one of the oldest businesses in Athol. Chase bought it from its second owner, Alan Thayer, in the late 1970s and moved it twice, including in 1987 to its current spot.
“We keep busy. We’re so versatile that we’ve always got something to do,” Chase, 62, said. “The big printers, they’re not as approachable. They don’t want to talk to you if you don’t have a … half-a-million-dollar advertising budget. We can do a lot.”
Chase’s equipment includes a German Heidelberg letterpress used to put an impression onto paper. The machine was manufactured in 1950s, but Chase said the design is unchanged since the 1850s.
“It’s a pretty amazing piece of machinery. It’s just so well built,” Chase said. “The Germans are famous for that.”
Another piece of Chase’s equipment, which gives paper a nice fold, was made in Chicago in the 1930s. In a flash to the future, a Xerox machine stands at the ready.
Chase said the printing industry has changed drastically in the past 20 years, with the advent of online printing companies.
“There’s not half as many printers as there used to be,” he said. “The ones that have survived carved out a niche. Ours is doing the kind of work that the big places can do, without being that big.”
Chase said his biggest business is producing marketing materials, like brochures and pamphlets.
“We’ve got a good base of customers who keep coming back. They like us. We treat them right,” he said. “Once they find us, we can’t be beat, really, in terms of the things that matter to everybody — price, time and quality.”
Some of Chase’s local clients include L.S. Starrett Company in Athol and Red Apple Farm in Phillipston.
Al Rose, who runs Red Apple Farm, said his family has used The Highland Press for several generations.
“We are very fortunate to have them in our community and so close by. They are able to tackle both big projects to small jobs. I always appreciate their advice and input,” he said. “They are professional in both service and products. Expertise that only comes from decades of dedication.”
Chase said he is approaching retirement age, though it’s probably not in the (locally made business) cards. But he doesn’t sweat it, because he still enjoys the work and the paperless society hasn’t come to pass the way it was predicted.
“The majority of people in America hate their job so, in that respect, I should consider myself lucky,” he said.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 258
On Twitter: @DomenicPoli