printer lets technological change pass by - metal equipment tags

In 1948, when 16-year-
Old Norris Selton got a job at Mimeoform service
In this country, apartheid is everywhere, Berlin airfreight is in progress, and commercial printing is done by a single-type machine that models every letter in each row with hot lead.
More than half a century later, at the small Beltsville printing plant now owned by Seldon, the outside world has changed, but things inside are still basically the same, on the same machine
Vineyard-type machines with printed metal labels, an address map of envelopes with these metal labels printed, and a pair of 1955 Davidson machines, printed by transferring ink from the aluminum plate to a rotating belt, then the newspaper.
With the development of modern equipment in the it industry, Mimeoform has its own equipment because its loyal customers like the company's low price.
"I don't have a printing course at school, but I kind of like working with a printing machine like a mechanic likes working on a car," Seldon said ".
Now, Selden is half the age of 67.
After retirement, with the help of Kevin, his only other employee's son, he worked about seven hours a day.
His father says annual income is over $50,000, which is not enough for Kevin, 36, to take over the business and make a living.
But they insisted that there was no plan to resign.
Mimeoform's customer base has not changed much over the years.
The company was established in 1921 and was established on the 1320 th floor.
Northwest Washington, whose clients are haberdashers, the Federal Savings Loan Association in Washington and groups that need envelopes, newsletters and even recipes Potomac power
For release.
About 16 years ago, when the company moved to its existing modified garage, Mimeoform's customers followed suit.
"A lot of customers I think are private friends because I have been dealing with them for a long time," Seldon said . " Seldon is a native of Fairmont Heights and graduated from University Park.
Mimeoform has done some advertising in local media, but most of its new business comes from referrals from old customers, he said.
Potomac rose Association
A not-for-profit rose lover in Washington has had its monthly newsletter through Mimeoform at least since the 1950 s, as the jocovey joined the association.
"This is a very personalized service, with a fast turnaround," said Covey, president of the association . ".
Last week, Covey said, he sent newsletters on Monday, Mimeoform printed 400 copies and sent them to the post office by Wednesday.
Selton says his charity, the freedom to do some printing, for things like make-upa-
The Wish Foundation, the fire station across the street and other charities requesting donations for small print work.
Seldon offers free lunches to all of his customers, which adds a personal touch to his business.
He said he would make lunch for them if they informed him 24 hours in advance.
"We can make chicken, Fry or bake or pepper ourselves," he said . ".
Mimeoform is slowing down to suit Seldon, who turns 68 next month and doesn't want to work as crazy as he used.
When Seldon joined the company owned by Jesse Esther in the 1940 s, business and machinery were very prosperous.
The machine makes a rhythmic racket. -
Like they still do. -
The owner relieved this with classical music on the radio, which Selden still did.
Now, when they're at 1,200-square-
Walking space behind a building on a tree-
Lin Yin Street, took it.
Business is sluggish.
Stores like Kinko "have a lot of money and they can buy all the new devices that complex computer operations," he said ".
There is no computer in Mimeoform;
Still typing on an electric typewriter.
Most retail printers such as Kinko's and other on-
Printing Factory with computer demand
William farmer says he is a technical advisor to the graphic arts technology foundation of a trade group in Pittsburgh.
He said technological progress over the past 10 to 15 years has been "very fast ".
"The customer is pushing this order," he said, because most of the customers are working from the computer and they want to print the material directly from the disk.
Seldon bought the deal two years ago from the widow of a former boss, David Sickles, who would not disclose the money.
"I always tell him that he basically runs it anyway, and maybe you should have it when the time comes," Kevin Selton said . ".
For Kevin Selden, he says, the print mill is "like a home away from home" and he feels like folding newsletters or licking stamps is like working in the living room.
He came to the store from the age of 10 and, like his father, felt "peace of mind" from the cliché of hearing machines ".
Some people like old things.
"The outdated way," says Norris Selden, hates change, "but I'm not against progress, not at all . ".
He will still have customers like Casten ingburg.
Miller, a poet and resident of Calverton, has been here for eight years in order to publish her poetry booklet.
"It's really special," she said . "looking setup.
She said she called dozens of other commercial printers and found that the price of Mimeoform was the best.
She says she can't afford to spend in a large print shop, "so what happens to little people who want small jobs?
"Now, they came to Mimeoform.
Seldon plans to "as long as my health continues" or at least work for the next few years.
Kevin Selden, who is distributing office supplies for his father and part-time night shift work during the day, said that in order to be able to increase Mimeoform's business, he needs to do a lot of work to enrichtime job of it.
"So when I gave it up, it could be the end of Mimeoform," said elder Seldon . ".
Description: on the left, Norris Selden looks at hot copies on the media in his shop in a modified loading garage in Beltsville.
Below, Seldon smeared ink on the roller of one of his presses.