The Colorworks Story

In 1923, Raymond Smale Sr. opened Office Service Company in downtown Pottstown, Pennsylvania, selling office machines and business supplies to local businesses. As the company evolved, printing was added to satisfy customer demand. Raymond Jr. and Sr. made a decision to purchase a web press specifically designed for the production of custom business forms. The company also changed its name to Risson Press (Raymond I Smale & Son.) Over the next 20 years, the equipment used by businesses evolved from the typewriter and bookkeeping machine to the computer. The manufacturing capabilities of Risson Press changed in stride. Multi-part pin-fed computer forms and cut sheets for laser printers completed the business forms life cycle.

In 1987, Desktop Publishing technology was beginning to have an initial impact on the printing industry. Seeing an opportunity in the marketplace, Ray Jr.’s son Donald and his wife Brandy launched a sideline venture then known as Desktop Technologies. This company offered “output” from an imagesetter as a replacement for the “galley type” that was being used for the production of camera ready art. Desktop Technologies also offered consulting and training services. By the early 1990’s, Desktop Publishing capabilities blossomed and rapidly began to change the way the prepress function was performed. Customer needs were again on the move and Desktop Technologies and Risson Press responded by merging operations and aggressively adding capabilities. The name of the combined organization was changed to Colorworks Graphic Services.

Today, Colorworks functions as a marketing support organization for corporate marketing departments as well as the creative community.