UWA printing earns sixth national award

LIVINGSTON —A University of West Alabama organization has received its sixth national award for its superior quality work. UWA Printing Services received the first place gold award from In-Plant Printing Management Association for the printing of the University’s Spring Preview Day brochure. In addition, the organization’s Director, Jimmy Robinson, has recently received the industry distinguished Certified Graphic Communication Manager.

The recent printing award is UWA Printing Service’s fifth first-place gold award, and they also have a second-place silver award. These awards have come in recognition of the quality of four-color process printing done in-house, on-campus, by the department.

UWA Printing offers a wide array of printing and bindery services, from basic copying and printing to brochures, envelope printing, posters, mailing, and several binding options for books and other publications.

“We want to be more than just a print shop, and that’s why we continue to offer new services like bulk mailing and wide format printing,” explained Robinson, who has directed the operation since 1984.  “We maintain all our equipment upgrades in an effort to offer the University the very finest printing quality available.”

Robinson explained that the department has recently upgraded both its color and black digital presses with the latest equipment of its type offered by Xerox.

The department is unique in that it serves virtually every office on campus by meeting the daily printing and binding needs as well as the larger projects like printing perfect bound issues of books published by Livingston Press and products offered by bby Publications at UWA.

“Our goal is to provide effective administrative service that supports the University’s mission,” Robinson said.

The department also reaches its offerings to serve the surrounding community with graphic design and printing of bulletins, programs, invitations, flyers, business cards, and quite a bit more—all at competitive costs and superior quality.

The quality of service and product offered by UWA Printing Services has long been the driving force behind Robinson’s efforts to grow the department. Robinson has more than 35 years of experience in the in-house print and mail environment. He served in the U.S Navy aboard the USS Kitty Hawk as a Lithographer Second Class from 1976 to 1980. In 1981 he joined the Naval Reserve and retired in 2001 after 24 years as a Lithographer First Class Petty Officer.

In 2013, Robinson put his expertise to work in gaining graphic communication manager certification, one of his proudest career achievements.

“Becoming certified was more of a personal goal for me, but gaining and maintaining my certification helps me stay up to date with the latest technologies that we can use to serve the University and ensure that it is always presented in a positive and attractive way through print media,” Robinson said.

A 1988 Livingston University (now UWA) graduate, Robinson served as a printing technician in the department from 1981 to 1984 before becoming director. He holds a bachelor of business administration from the University, and he minored in journalism.

Today, Robinson leads a staff of four full-time employees.

Customer Service Representative Kristi Collins joined the staff in 2009 and oversees the business operations and project coordination.

Graphic Designer Michele Hagood joined the staff in 2010 and has more than 30 years experience in graphics and design.

Print and Mail Specialist Tommy Hutchins has been at UWA for 15 years and has a wide range of experience in digital and four-color printing, binding, and mail services.

For a full list of services offered by UWA Printing Services, visit printing.uwa.edu or the office in Webb Hall Room 116. To learn more, contact UWA Printing Services Director Jimmy Robinson at jrobinson@uwa.edu