Lithographic Communications expands
capabilities with wide-format facility
For almost three decades, Munster-based Lithographic Communications has built its reputation on quality, customer service and attention to detail.
Owned by Richard Pietrzak Jr., Lithographic opened in 1998. The company has evolved from a traditional commercial printing operation into an award-winning business known for delivering high-quality printed materials and personalized service.
“My dad started the company in 1988 with two employees,” Pietrzak said of his father Richard Pietrzak Sr., who died July 6. “I’ve been there sweeping the floors since I was about 12. I’ve seen a lot of changes.”
Today, Lithographic Communications has 64 employees and serves clients nationwide. The company works with colleges and universities, casinos, healthcare facilities, nonprofits, municipalities and businesses. Lithographic’s latest milestone is the launch of its wide-format printing facility in December.
The expansion allows Lithographic to produce large-scale marketing and branding materials, including banners, signs, window graphics and vehicle wraps. The addition gives customers access to a broader range of services and opens the door to new opportunities.
The decision to expand into wide-format printing was driven by customer demand and changing market needs. By bringing these capabilities in-house, Lithographic Communications can offer customers a seamless experience from concept and design through production and installation.
“We wanted to be able to provide a one-stop shop for everyone,” Pietrzak said. “Any kind of print marketing we can do it.”
No project is too big or too small.
“We recently put details on a fleet of 50 trucks and then worked with a town that needed a decal for a leaf blower,” Pietrzak said. “Every day is a new adventure.”
The new facility represents an investment in equipment, technology and personnel. The expansion reflects the company’s belief that printed materials continue to play a critical role in modern marketing.
“Digital has a place. Print has a place,” Pietrzak said. “It’s easy for an email to get lost. If you get something in the mailbox, you open it or at least have to look at it.”
While digital marketing dominates many conversations about advertising, printed materials remain one of the most effective ways for businesses to create lasting impressions, he said.
“Direct mail still has a big place in marketing,” Pietrzak said. “And the beauty of mail is that you can send it from Munster to a post office in Chicago, and it’s in Lake Tahoe in a few days.”
Print offers a tangible experience. Consumers often spend more time engaging with physical materials than online advertisements, making print an important component of marketing strategies.
“We see some industries going all digital, but that lasts three to four months, and then they come back to mail,” Pietrzak said.
Lithographic Communications has built a culture that emphasizes teamwork and long-term relationships. Employee retention and workplace satisfaction have contributed to the company’s success.
“In many aspects of my life, I am blessed beyond measure, and among those blessings is my work family,” said David Stephens, an employee for 20 years. “Like most working people, I spend the bulk of my waking hours with my colleagues, and I’m very grateful to be surrounded by people who make that time meaningful.
“A company is only as good as the people it keeps, and the people who make up our company are why our business will continue to be successful for years to come.”
Although Pietrzak’s father retired 12 years ago, Pietrzak remembers his father’s lessons.
“One of my dad’s biggest things is that if we have 64 employees, 64 families are depending on us,” Pietrzak said. “We have people with car payments, whose kids are going to college, who have given us 20 to 30 years of their lives. You can’t turn your back on that.”
Customer relationships have also been central to the company’s growth. Many clients have worked with Lithographic Communications for years, relying on the company for everything from business cards and catalogs to large-scale marketing campaigns.
From its beginnings in 1998 to its expansion in 2025, Lithographic Communications has demonstrated a willingness to evolve while remaining true to the principles that built its reputation. The company is proving that even in a digital age, high-quality print remains a powerful tool for connection, communication and brand building.
“Print is not dead,” Pietrzak said. “It’s still the tried and true.” •
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
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Heroic values on display
Power of collaboration
Avoid the unexpected
Childcare challenge
Beyond the prescription pad
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