Company History

Graphic Crafts Inc. has been part of the Lancaster County business community for more than 80 years. The company’s founder, Richard E. Huss, Sr., began his career in the printing industry at the age of 13 as an apprentice typesetter for the Lancaster Intelligencer Newspaper. In 1925, while only 16 years old, he bought his first printing press, which was small enough to place on the dresser in his bedroom at his parents’ home. He used this small machine to begin a side business called Graphic Crafts Shop while becoming a journeyman typesetter.

Over the years, the business became a full-time venture for Richard and he passed along his love of printing and typesetting to his son, Richard E. Huss, Jr. W hile serving on the USS Quincy during the Korean War, Dick Jr. was the ship’s pressman. When he returned home to Lancaster in 1956, he began his own business, Lancaster Carbon Forms. Several years later, father and son joined businesses together to become Graphic Crafts, Inc.

As offset printing was taking off in the industry, the company chose to stick with letterpress and focus more on the bindery. Eventually, Graphic Crafts took the ink rollers off its presses and became a full-service trade bindery.

Located on Beaver Valley Pike (Rt. 222) south of Lancaster in Willow Street, Pa., the company now offers folding, perforating, stitching, die cutting, stamping, embossing, trimming, gluing, gumming, mounting, shrink wrapping, laminating, padding, drilling, punching, round-cornering, eyeletting and custom handwork. It also sells various weights and sizes of chipboard and easels.

In June 2006, Dick Jr. retired at the age of 73, passing the company’s reigns to the next generation. His daughter, Patricia A. Traynor, joined the office staff in 1985 and currently serves as Vice President/ Treasurer. Martin R. Lind, who has been with the company since 1978, is vice president and COO. Tim E. Redcay, who joined the company in 1984, is President.

Throughout its history, Graphic Crafts, Inc. has maintained its commitment to honesty, integrity, and quality workmanship. The company will continue striving to meet the changing needs of its customers with exceptional customer service and complete satisfaction.