That Yearbook Podcast: Celebrating Excellence in Yearbook Printing

This special season finale episode of That Yearbook Podcast hosted by Mike Taylor, CJE, Jim Jordan and Sabrina Schmitz, CJE, focused on celebrating the heart of Walsworth — the family-owned business that has been the most trusted name in yearbooks for over 87 years. 

A Family Tradition of Quality Customer Service

Mike, Jim and Sabrina discussed the long-standing legacy of Walsworth and our unrelenting dedication to superior quality. Focusing on Walsworth’s origins in the 1930s when Don Walsworth, seeking opportunity during the Great Depression, began selling advertisements and programs. This humble beginning would later blossom into incorporating yearbook printing services. 

Through its family values of community and service, the company has flourished for generations under the Walsworth name. Eighty-seven years later, the business remains family owned by the Walsworth family, who continue cultivating the very same vision of excellence established long ago. Walsworth’s roots as a small-town Midwestern enterprise created during desperate times instilled a culture valuing loyalty to customers and employees alike, a tradition that remains integral to this day. 

Meeting the People Behind the Scenes

As Walsworth customers, yearbook advisers have the opportunity to visit the Marceline plant to see the ins and outs of the printing process, as well as meet those who make the printing of their book possible. Our employees’ pride in their work and attention to detail in each book is unmatched, ensuring every publication reaches its full potential. Even during the company’s busiest time of year, our goal remains for high-quality yearbooks with on-time delivery so books are ready for school distribution events. 

Understanding the Complex Printing Process

Learning about Walsworth’s sophisticated printing process is vital for a staff’s understanding of deadlines and why they matter. Mike, Jim and Sabrina explain how pages are arranged and printed in signatures of 16 pages. They discuss the plate creation and four-color process, and how plant tours can provide a behind-the-scenes look into the printing process. Understanding this process helps advisers meet deadlines and allows sufficient time for production. 

A Family Beyond Blood

It’s clear why Walsworth is the most trusted name in yearbooks — we treat our customers and employees like family. Listen to the season finale of That Yearbook Podcast to hear more about the printing process and why understanding it is so valuable to yearbook advisers and staffs alike.