In the good old days of printing tech manuals, September marked the end of a busy quarter.
For some printers, it was a hectic time, especially with the Special Election driving a surge in demand for union printers and election-related materials, including advertising.
A fun fact I learned: once the county receives your ballot, voter lists are updated, and some political mailings stop.
JP Graphics is not a political printer. Instead, we’re channeling our energy into capturing the many sports-related opportunities on the horizon, with the Super Bowl, four FIFA World Cup games, and countless other events, including the Golden State Warriors and Sharks kicking off their seasons. Despite these exciting prospects, September didn’t translate into a big revenue month for us. Nevertheless, JP Graphics remains laser-focused on refining processes to secure more medical and pharmaceutical print and packaging work while training our young staff in print fundamentals. The future looks bright!
Our core value at JP Graphics is encapsulated in the question, “What do you do when you have nothing to do?” This principle drives us to transform into a world-class print operation. From cross-training to organizing, systematic maintenance, and establishing efficient processes, we ensure everyone at JP Graphics can step up as the star or the sixth man when needed.
This brings me to why Mai Pheap was unanimously selected as JP Graphics’ Employee of the Month for September. Mai has been with us since April 2004, starting on a two-color press and evolving into the person I trust implicitly—if Mai says she’ll run a machine, I’ll buy it. She has grown with the company, mastering challenges that few printers could handle because she never gives up and strives to perfect every job. Mai treats every machine as if it were her own, and even repair technicians don’t touch her equipment until she understands what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future.
Mai has run our Kodak digital press and brought our Direct-to-Garment printer back to life, enabling us to sell beautiful bags on multiple Etsy stores including Idyll Time Gifts. Which can be purchased in their shop next door and at Idyll Time Wines upcoming 2-day Release Party and 2nd Thursday pop-up events.
We recently invested in a Xanté X33 UV printer, capable of printing on 24 x 36 sheets up to 6 inches thick. Mai creates stunning wine packaging, coasters, golf balls, air fresheners, and even urns—anything that fits within the press’s parameters, she’ll figure out how to print on it.
Mai’s dedication to JP Graphics is unparalleled. She’s always keeping busy, helping other departments when things are slow or stepping in as the “sixth man”, thanks to her expertise across multiple machines. She’s also committed to teaching our younger staff, demonstrating a work ethic that can’t be taught—you have to see it. With Mai, you witness it daily, ensuring jobs are completed on time with the highest quality.
Here’s what our managers have to say about Mai Pheap’s exceptional contributions:
- “Mai is always ready to support bindery or any department, she steps up wherever needed.” ~ Claudia
- “She is unmatched in attention to detail; and ensures every job is perfect before it leaves her station.” ~ Joe
- “Mai is constantly active and ranks among the greatest talents at JP Graphics.” ~ Miguel
- “Always smiling, Mai’s positive attitude lights up the entire shop.” ~ Michelle
- “Mai is committed to on-time delivery, she flattens boxes for a flawless run, never wasting a moment.” ~ Dave
- “She is never idle, Mai’s always seeking the next task—a true powerhouse.” ~ Norbi
- “‘If you want something done, give it to a busy person,’ my father always said. That’s who Mai is—she gets it done. I’m constantly asking her to run new machines, and if she says yes, I’ll buy them. We just added a stringing machine, and Mai will master it, unlocking new offerings like tags. She’s like a sister to me.” ~ Joan
Mai Pheap is the heart of JP Graphics, inspiring us with her exceptional work ethic and passion. Her pursuit of perfection and commitment to excellence elevate our team, while her can-do attitude makes her a beloved cornerstone. Thank you, Mai, for your dedication and for lighting our path to a world-class future.
JP Graphics, a full-service printing company, is certified woman-owned and a small business by the state of California and is a Bay Area Green Company. Located at 3310 Woodward Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95054, our 33,000 sq. ft. facility houses a state of the art prepress department, numerous offset and digital presses, a complete bindery, including lamination, and diecutting. Additional services include fulfilment, large format, and mailing. We deliver all over the Bay Area and ship all over the world.

