People First, Performance Always: The Swift Printing Culture

At Swift Printing, we’re often asked what makes us different. The answer is simple: our people.

Our team-first culture isn’t just a feel-good mantra—it’s the foundation of how we operate and why we succeed. Every project we produce, every client we serve, and every problem we solve is the result of a team that is both highly skilled and highly invested. But let’s be real—it’s not always easy. Maintaining a culture where people thrive and perform at a high level requires constant work, communication, and a willingness to face challenges head-on.

And since it’s B Corp Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about why we made the commitment to becoming a Certified B Corporation—and why it matters.

Why We Became a B Corp

At Swift Printing, we’ve always believed in doing business the right way. We take care of our employees, we support our community, and we run our shop with sustainability in mind. But in 2017, we decided that simply believing in and doing the those values wasn’t enough—we wanted a third party to prove it.

That’s why we went through the rigorous process of B Corp certification, which measures a company’s impact on its workers, customers, community, and the environment.

As Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon puts it:
“Becoming a B Corp wasn’t about changing who we are—it was about holding ourselves accountable to what we’ve always stood for.”

Certification wasn’t easy. It required transparency, policy changes, and proving that we’re not just a business—we’re a force for good. It was a challenge, but we’ve never been afraid of those.

Performance Requires Trust

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that you can’t demand high performance without first creating an environment where people feel valued. That means:
✔️ Giving people the tools and training they need to be excellent
✔️ Encouraging creative problem-solving instead of micromanaging every step of the way
✔️ Holding each other accountable—because great teams don’t lower the bar

As Walt Gutowski III says:
“When you’re in the thick of it, you figure out who can get through the challenges with you and our team is the best solution makers!”

We hire and retain people who are willing to push through challenges together. That’s what makes a business like ours—one that has thrived for 75 years—sustainable. We’re not just making ink hit paper; we’re solving problems, meeting deadlines, and making sure our customers win.

Challenges? We’ve Got Those Too.

Look, we don’t pretend that every day at Swift is smooth sailing. Like any business, we face supply chain issues, tight deadlines, equipment failures, and the unexpected curveballs that come with running a family owned Grand Rapids print shop.

But here’s what sets us apart: we don’t let problems define us; we let our response define us.

There are times when jobs pile up and tensions run high. Times when we have to reset, regroup, and refocus. And that’s okay. We’re in an industry where speed matters, but we never sacrifice quality—or our people—for the sake of a Swift turnaround.

As Walt Gutowski Jr., G2 says:
“At the end of the day, if you take care of your people, they’ll take care of the business.”

Culture is Built Daily

Having a people-first culture doesn’t mean we don’t expect a lot from our team—it means we do. We expect them to own their work, bring their best, and never settle for ‘good enough.’ But in return, we ensure that they feel supported, valued, and proud of what they produce.

That’s the balance: People first, performance always.

And it’s what will keep Swift Printing going strong for the next 75 years.

B Corp Month: What It Means for Us & Our Community

Celebrating B Corp Month isn’t just about recognizing that we’ve earned a certification—it’s about continuing to live up to it every day. Being a B Corp means:
✅ Prioritizing people over profits
✅ Printing responsibly—from using sustainable materials to minimizing waste
✅ Giving back to our community—because a strong local economy benefits everyone

As Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon puts it:
“It’s not about being the biggest—it’s about being the best at what we do and making a difference along the way.”

So, this month, we’re celebrating the incredible people who make Swift Printing what it is—our team, our customers, and our community.

Interested in working with a business that values both quality and culture? Reach out—we’re always looking for great people who want to grow with us. And if you’re a fellow B Corp (or thinking of becoming one), let’s connect and build something great together.

Happy B Corp Month from all of us at Swift Printing!