Josh Bevans first thought of the idea for Design to Print in 1994 as he was speaking during a technology panel in San Francisco. The subject happened to be the speed of technology advancement. From that experience he knew he wanted to build an ultra-modern, high-end graphic print production shop in Southern Utah.
In its infancy, the Internet was just starting to gain traction but he could see it was going where he wanted to be. He figured that with the rapid advances of the Internet, there was no reason he couldn’t offer world-class graphic services and pre-press production in the middle of the Utah desert — and today that is what Design to Print does.
Stefanie and Josh Bevans, chief executive officer and chief technology officer respectively, are co-owners of both Steamroller Copies Inc. and Design to Print Inc.
Stefanie is responsible for domestic and international business relations throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe. She provides leadership for an 80-person-plus workforce and oversees all business development, marketing, productions, human relations and administrative affairs. Josh keeps all the technology humming, up-to-the-minute and relevant.
Back in 1992, Josh established Steamroller Copies when he saw a need for a local copy business that could fill the void to assist customers individually with their copy needs.
When Josh opened Design to Print in 1995 and combined it with Steamroller Copies, the company became the largest print provider in Southern Utah and had international reach.
Early in his career he worked long hours — usually late into the night — as a one-man team until the demand for his services became too great for him to meet. So, the first employee was hired. Since then many employees have passed through the doors, from high school students to war veterans. The main requirement to work at Design to Print is to have a love of art and the willingness to serve each and every customer with kindness.
Josh anticipated growth in the retail- and event-based businesses in his locale and has remained focused on serving the greater Southern Utah area.
Stefanie married Josh in 1997 and became co-owner of the family businesses. Initially, her role focused on raising their family, completing her training and building her career as a neonatal intensive care nurse. But as the businesses grew, her involvement grew and has been critical to their success.
The growth of Design to Print remains constant. Utah’s Mountain West Venture Group has rated its financial growth at over 200 percent in the past five years alone.
Design to Print has worked with companies from around the world, including from China, Puerto Rico, Italy, England, Australia, France, Belgium and Greece. The company has produced work for Fortune 500 companies as well as the NBA, NASCAR and the Olympic committee. The motto of the shop is: “Think globally, act locally.”
Design to Print was the first to bring large-format high-resolution color printing to Utah where it prints large-scale billboards, banners, full-color vehicle wraps, as well as fine art reproduction.
The company has increased its locations to multiple states with expanded services and products serving wholesale customers in the tradeshow industry, casino buying groups, government agencies, marketing and advertising firms, print brokers and sign franchises.
In 1995 Design to Print started as a one-man shop in a small 15-by-15-foot room. Now it operates out of 40,000 square feet of office and production/warehouse space.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Stefanie attended the University of Utah and later completed her bachelor of science in nursing (summa cum laude) at Northern Arizona University. She believes Utah offers a high quality of life for her family and employees and has dedicated her efforts in keeping her businesses successful and thriving in Southern Utah. She volunteers in the community to bring culture, arts, education and affordable housing to the local Southern Utah area.
The Bevanses have received SBA assistance in the form of loans and also guidance from the Procurement Technical Assistance Center in its role as a U.S. General Services Administration contractor.
During the recession, when marketing and advertising budgets were cut, Design to Print faced the decline in business head-on. The Bevanses were able to reduce spending, negotiated with their vendors to lower pricing and were fortunate enough to operate as a cash business with minimal debt. They were also able to retain all of their employees and didn’t lay off anyone.
The love for technology has been a driving force in the development of Design to Print but it’s the customers that bring the excitement and energy. The Bevanses want to be the first to try new technologies, develop new products and be the first to bring it to their market.
Both of the Bevanses serve on numerous boards and give their time and resources to the community. The arts and education are especially important to them.