G7® Master Spotlight: FolgerGraphics

FolgerGraphics, based in Hayward, California, has been recognized as a true “Fast-Track Firm” by Printing Impressions for its impressive growth trajectory. In the past year alone, the company achieved a 17% year-over-year sales increase, rising from $7.87 million to $9.24 million. CEO Kirk Folger attributes this momentum to an unwavering focus on exceptional quality and customer service—principles that are deeply ingrained across the organization. While the closure of a local competitor presented new opportunities, Folger emphasizes that retention and loyalty are sustained by consistently delivering great printed products supported by responsive service, regardless of project size.

At its core, FolgerGraphics specializes in general commercial printing, mailing, and election-related materials, a sector known for cyclical demand patterns. To strengthen its stability and expand opportunities for growth, the company is actively exploring diversification into wide-format printing and promotional products such as apparel, squeeze balls, and other branded merchandise. While many of these services are currently supported through partnerships, the company continues to evaluate strategic investments that will allow it to bring more of these capabilities in-house.

A critical factor underpinning FolgerGraphics’ success is its G7 Master Facility Qualification since 2010. This globally recognized certification, awarded by Idealliance, a division of PRINTING United Alliance, ensures that the company’s production processes are calibrated to maintain gray balance and neutral tone reproduction. What makes G7 so powerful is that it is entirely technology-agnostic, applying equally to offset, digital, inkjet, toner-based, flexographic, and gravure printing systems. By aligning these technologies through a shared methodology, FolgerGraphics can guarantee consistent, predictable color reproduction across different devices, substrates, and inks.

The practical benefits of G7 are substantial. By maintaining alignment across multiple print technologies, FolgerGraphics can ensure visual similarity regardless of the production method chosen, which is critical for brands that demand accuracy and consistency across campaigns. The methodology reduces make-ready times, minimizes paper and ink waste, and improves press efficiency, all of which drive operational performance. It also provides a strong foundation for diversification efforts. As FolgerGraphics continues to expand into new markets such as wide-format and promotional products, its incorporation of G7 into its workflows and G7 qualification allows the company to deliver consistent quality across a broader range of output, giving clients confidence in every application.

The achievement of G7 Master Qualification Colorspace compliance also signals to the market that FolgerGraphics operates at the highest levels of print quality. The certification encompasses rigorous compliance tiers, beginning with grayscale balance, extending to targeted solid color accuracy, and culminating in full colorspace compliance—the most demanding level. This process confirms that FolgerGraphics is not only meeting but exceeding global benchmarks for color consistency, an accomplishment that sets them apart in a competitive marketplace.

As the company looks ahead, FolgerGraphics represents a model for how a print provider can balance growth, service, and technical excellence. Their success story demonstrates that customer care and technical mastery are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. By combining the human element of responsive service with the technical rigor of G7 Master color alignment, FolgerGraphics has positioned itself to thrive well into the future.

Read the original Fast Track Firm article from Printing Impressions here.

Looking for leading print service providers for optimal quality and visual consistency in your printed products? Find a G7 Master Qualified facility here.

Looking to become a globally recognized G7 Master printer? Learn how to become a G7 Master Qualified facility here.

 

 

G7® is a registered trademark of PRINTING United Alliance. 

 

Jordan Gorski Vice President, Global Standards and Certifications (703) 837-1096

Jordan Gorski is an Idealliance certified G7 Expert, CMP Master, and BrandQ Expert and supports the global printing and packaging supply chain through his work with Idealliance. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry, starting in pre-media and data-driven marketing and technical service, along with experience as a technical advisor and product manager in the flexographic printing and packaging industry, where he offered his professional expertise to printers, publishers, packaging printers and converters.

Jordan has a degree in Graphic Communications from Clemson University and joined Idealliance in 2017. Since joining Idealliance, Jordan has worked across the association to support training & certification programs, global partners and international affiliates, and serves as the staff liaison for ISO’s Technical Committee 130, Committee for Graphic Arts Technical Standards (CGATS), U.S. Technical Advisory Group (USTAG), the International Color Consortium (ICC) and Idealliance’s Print Properties Committee (PPC), driving global standards and innovation across the supply chain with Idealliance as part of PRINTING United Alliance.

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