At JP Graphics, we live by the adage: Measure twice, cut once. In printing, that means starting with the finish—our Bindery Department—and working backward for the best results. And it’s definitely paying off! For the third straight month in 2025, our Employee of the Month comes from Bindery!

Our shift to medical and pharmaceutical work is soaring, and packaging—printing on 24pt SBS board, die-cutting, and gluing—has become our bread and butter.

So, it was no surprise when Jesus Velazquez, our stellar Cutter Operator, earned a resounding vote for March 2025 Employee of the Month.

Jesus joined JP Graphics in January 2019 after a long career at Patson’s Press, which closed when the owners retired and sold to a big LA printer. The transition was seamless, but the volume of stock we cut here is next level. To ensure a perfect run, we start with a parent sheet and cut with a back trim to nail registration, marks, and guides. These past couple of years, Jesus has been cutting all day—skids and skids of 24pt stock feeding into our presses.

When he’s not slicing press paper, Jesus jumps in on 3-knife cutting for perfect-bound books, business cards, or other miscellaneous jobs. Norbi, our Bindery Manager, keeps two cutters running all day to supply the presses and finishing machines. Norbi’s a stickler for perfection, and he knows you can’t achieve that without a perfect cut.

Jesus’s cutter sits right by the shipping and receiving door, where he greets delivery drivers with a warm smile and never fails to say hi to me when I slip in the back. Reliable, never late, and genuinely happy in his work, Jesus is a vital part of our team. Here’s what the managers have to say:

“Jesus never stops cutting, keeping our bindery humming—whether it’s for perfect binding, die-cutters, or gluers. He changes blades and handles maintenance like a pro, keeping breakdowns to a minimum.” ~ Norbi

“Jesus is proactive, always asking which jobs I need cut first to keep our finishing flow steady. He never stops working!” – Claudia

“Jesus never complains and is always ready to answer questions with a smile.” ~ Michelle

“Jesus keeps shipping in the loop when jobs are ready. Bring him boxes, and he’ll pack and label right off the cutter for final inspection.” ~ Miguel

“Jesus cuts a ton of paper! Give him a cutting order and stock, and he just gets it done.” ~ Joe

“Patson’s Press was a true friend to JP Graphics in the print world, and we meshed so well. Bringing Jesus on was a perfect fit for both of us. He’s proof that once you’re in printing, you never leave! Printing is a fantastic career, and the work we do here matters.” ~ Joan:

Thank you, Jesus, for your dedication, “In pharma’s precision, print carries trust, weaving data into hope’s enduring thread.” Why? Because, as Jesus shows daily, everything is better with print!