For over 85 years, LaPlume and Sons Printing, Inc. has provided print services and marketing solutions to businesses of the Greater Merrimack Valley. LaPlume is committed to providing high-quality, affordable printed products to our customers, big and small. Valuing our clients above all else, and honoring our humble beginnings has allowed us to become a recognized name in commercial printing.
Our unlikely beginnings make for an interesting story, and proves that the old saying “everything happens for a reason” is true. Gabriel LaPlume, a Canadian native known to many as “Bill”, owned a small bicycle repair shop in a shed behind his Lawrence home. As a staple depression-era figure in the community where he lived, he was notorious for his hard work, generosity, and willingness to give back to others, even during difficult times.
It was out of Bill’s generosity that LaPlume was founded on a sunny day in 1935. After completing the repair of a local customer’s bicycle, the customer returned to pick up the bike, but with empty pockets. Understanding of the difficult times, but recognizing that he needed to be compensated for his services, Bill accepted a small hand press in lieu of payment. It was then that he realized there was an opportunity to supplement his repair shop by printing small items, such as wedding invitations, greeting cards, and raffle tickets. Slowly and steadily, he began moving his tools out of the shed, trading them in favor of printing equipment, paper, and ink.
In French, LaPlume means “the feather,” and staying true to his Canadian heritage, Bill called the shop “One Feather Studio Printing,” named after his only son at the time. After his second child was born, it was renamed “Two Feathers Studio Printing,” increasing to “Nine Feathers” when his ninth child was born. Although he and his wife Regina had thirteen children, he stopped at nine because he ran out of room at the top of his letterhead. It was at this point that his sons began to take an interest in the business, and it was decided that it would be formally branded as LaPlume and Sons Printing Co., Inc.
By 1944, two of his young sons, Raymond and Ronald, became actively involved in the business. Helping their dad around the shop here and there turned into a full time job, and eventually the duo, along with their brother Jim, took ownership of the family business and began expanding it into the multi-faceted operation it is today.
Specializing in all forms of printing, we have the experience to manage any job ranging in size and complexity. Whether you're looking for a million coupons, a hundred booklets, or anything in between, we have the expertise to deliver high quality, affordable, on time pieces to your specifications. Many of our experienced and dedicated staff have been with LaPlume for 20, 30, and even 40 years, making our production staff unmatched in skill and capability.
While we have grown, advanced, and improved, we are reminded daily that the community of Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley are a great part of our success. Today, we continue to do business with hundreds of customers in our immediate area, across the country, and over international waters.