Business & Tech
Your Industrial Park Neighbors: Express Shirt Printing
Couple thrives in creative printing and embroidery business.
Benicia Patch periodically interviews companies in the Industrial Park. Kathy Griziejka, co-owner of , spoke with us about the company’s long history of service to Benicia. Kathy also is president and property manager of the Benicia Business Plaza, the 33-unit complex at 4728 E. 2nd St. that houses Express Shirt Printing.
How long has Express Shirt Printing been in business?
My husband, Don, and I — we’ve been married 27 years — have owned and operated Express Shirt Printing since 1991 and we’ve been in the Industrial Park for 15 years. We enjoy working with Benicia customers.
How did your business get its start?
Jeff Cromer of was my first customer in 1992; is also a longtime customer. We began with T-shirt printing and then incorporated embroidery into our business. In the last five years we have added specialty items, promotional products, water bottles, pins, coffee mugs and business cards. Many local schools and sports teams are our customers. We also specialize in reunions and business apparel. We are always willing to work on a budget with anyone. Our motto is quality, service and value.
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How do your services work?
All T-shirt printing and embroidery is done in house. We do a variety of jobs. No job is too small.
What should we know about printing and embroidering? Can we get creative?
As for embroidery, we do a number of jobs: hats, jackets, shirts. I enjoy working one-on-one with people on single embroidery items, which is different from most companies. For example, we can do custom baby blankets and bathrobes. The Embroidery Factory used to refer those single jobs to us. They recently closed here in town in July. We are available to serve those customers. Or, bring us a drawing or photo, we can make a T-shirt. We'll work with you on your printing and embroidery designs.
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What are the benefits of your Industrial Park location?
We were able to purchase a place that allows for both walk-in traffic and still do business from our warehouse. There is also ample parking. And, we are still close to town.
How do you get the word out that you are in the Industrial Park?
We did do advertising but we operate on word-of mouth and repeat business.