We had just finished the installation of the Xanté X-33 Flatbed UV Printer and were starting to figure out what it can do when the jobs started to come. Especially the overprinting of the Black Linen Shoe boxes for professional looking wine gifts.

In light of this, we knew Mai Pheap would be the October Employee of the month, all we had to do was bring on the comments.

Mai has been with JP Graphics since April 2004 and has been an integral part of every successful launch of new equipment here.  Starting with the Kodak direct imaging press, which was the beginning of JP Graphics move towards digital.

In Mai’s care, the Kodak has revolutionized short run offset and 4-color envelope printing. Mai continues to master the press, keeping it operational, and looking as new as the day we got it.

Mai’s next challenge was figuring out how to get the Direct to Garment Printer to work. She made wonderful masks during COVID, and coloring bags for the PLS Prints Etsy Store.

These qualities made it an easy selection to have Mai be the operator for the X33 – because she won’t stop until she figures it out.

We bought the X-33 not fulling knowing the breadth of all it could do. So, we began to experiment, from digital print on boxes and Zünd die cutting, to golf balls and coasters.  We soon found ourselves experimenting with Car Fershners, overprinting boxes, and producing wood prints. Mai’s most unusual X-33 job, was printing an urn for ashes!

It was when Mai got the machine to overprint custom wine packaging for Landsberg we found its niche.  The machine has never stopped since.  Thanks to her work with our OKI printer, Mai is an expert at determining the right amount of opaque white to put down, and how to set-up a jig for faster utilization, Mai has made the X-33 an instant success.

It is easy to see from the comments below, why the decision to choose Mai was unanimous.

• “Mai is always busy and producing.” ~ Miguel
• “She is like the Energizer Bunny and runs at full capacity whenever she’s at work. She goes Stir-Crazy if not busy for even a minute.” ~ Joe
• “Mai never stops and is always finding ways to make things better and faster.  She will always try new things.” ~ Dave
• “Mai is always checking to make sure there are no mistakes.” ~ Michelle
• “She is a little dynamo.  If she isn’t printing on the Kodak, the Oki or the X-33, she will help out in Bindery.  There’s no stopping her.  Mai is the epitome of a JP Graphics employee.” ~ Debbie
• “Mai has promised to be with JP until retirement, and that will be when I retire.  She has been the most reliable, productive, enthusiastic employee you could ever want.  More like a partner and friend.  She is tremendous cook, and a fantastic mother of two amazing sons. I cannot imagine JP Graphics without her.” ~ Joan

Thank you, Mai.  Your willingness to try new things and push the limits our machines has helped us offer in-house solutions no other Bay Area printer can. We’re so happy you’ve chosen us as your work family.