Business Profile: FSP Designs

By Amelia Favela

First Source Printing, also known as FSP Designs, is a printing shop located in Old Town Monrovia that specializes in customization. Established in 2001 by co-founder and current owner Matthew Geiger, the shop offers more than the average printing needs. Aside from business cards and brochures, the business also offers a variety of personalized printing services including design, sublimation, sports apparel, cheer/dance apparel, fan wear and accessories, heat-applied graphics, marketing, signage and promotional products.

Although officially founded in 2001, FSP Designs has been in the making since 1993. The owner ignited his passion for graphic design when taking his first screen-printing class as a high school freshman. From that point on, there wasn’t a year Geiger wasn’t growing in his craft as he took the printing class every semester. Noticing his eagerness towards graphic design, Geiger’s professor allowed him to utilize the equipment to produce customized prints during his last semester of high school. Geiger seized the opportunity as he began to create merchandise for his first band “Undecided.”

Owner Matthew Greiger Photo by Amelia Favela

A few years following high school, Geiger collaborated with band partner Chad Daly and FSP Designs was born. After Daly moved to New York, Geiger continued the business. While juggling odd jobs and working as a mailman to sustain the company, Geiger finally took a leap of faith. “After four years I quite the post office, I said ‘That’s it; I’m going to do this (work at FSP) fulltime,’” said Geiger. The chance proved to be worthwhile as FSP Designs now serves as one of the most recommended customized print shops in the San Gabriel Valley.

FSP Designs’ target market ranges from a vast array of school programs, community organizations and different businesses to individuals who may simply want a customized pair of socks. However, FSP Designs offers special printing incentives for school associated programs. The company also makes various donations; such as its upcoming donation of a hundred gift-bags to Duarte for hosting the Special Olympics.

– Photo by Amelia Favela

One of the challenges for FSP Designs is getting accustomed to the new advanced equipment. Although mastering new printing machines takes a lot of trial and error, Geiger said it’s worth it to stay updated with the latest printing trends.

Aside from the ongoing goal of always having the latest printing techniques, such as sublimation, a future vision of FSP Designs is it to expand to allow for more equipment. “Having more equipment will help produce faster turnarounds with large orders,” Geiger explained.

Along with offering custom prints on almost every material, one of the core values of FSP Designs is to listen carefully to each customer to assure they produce the unique images clients want. “I have customers who come in, sit down, give me an idea, and I’ll make it right in front of them.” There isn’t a printing job, Geiger said, that FSP Designs won’t do for any client.

Contact FSP Designs at (626) 974-0731, or visit them at 108 E. Walnut Ave Monrovia, CA 91016. Website: www.fspdesigns.com. Instagram: @FspDesigns.

– Photo by Amelia Favela

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