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Dave Rigby, co-owner of Minuteman Press of Long Beach, was surprised last October to have been chosen as the recipient of the Bronze Award by the Graphic Arts Managers Association (GAMA)--a subset of Printing Industries of Southern California, Inc. (PIASC)--for his series of marketing postcards.

His surprise was not due to any lack of confidence-although somewhat shy and soft spoken, Rigby is a talented artist-but because he didn't even know he was a candidate.

"She submitted it without me knowing about it," said Rigby of his wife and business partner, Hilda Sanchez. "I was shocked and pleased."

Sanchez and Rigby own the downtown Long Beach location of Minuteman Press, which has been a growing establishment for the couple since they first opened their doors nearly five years ago. Minuteman Press features a complete roster of printing services, and they've been particularly busy this season with their recently added mailing services.

Sanchez opened the business on her own originally and later brought her husband into the company. While Sanchez manages the day-to-day operations of the business, Rigby works as the company's graphic designer. The two worked in the technological industry before opening Minuteman Press and Rigby was an art major in college.

"He was able to pull some of his art background together with his technology background from his first career to help the business," said Sanchez.

The four postcards that Rigby designed for the contest, entitled You and Your Printer, were the winners in the category of company postcards, one of ten categories considered by judges.

According to Sanchez, the contest was for people in the graphic design industry across Southern California. It was presented by Ken Suzuki, technical director of PIASC, at the annual awards luncheon. The postcards were recognized for their originality, quality of color printing and as a useful marketing tool for a small company.

Founded in 1935, PIASC is the largest graphic arts trade association in the nation and is affiliated with the Printing Industries of America. Its purpose is to develop, enhance and supplement the services and activities that graphic arts professionals need to run a successful business.

The recent award from PIASC has not been the only honor bestowed on the couple for their efforts with Minuteman Press. "From our customers we hear about great service and excellent quality," said Sanchez, and those compliments were validated last year when the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce awarded them the Small Business Achievement Award.

"That was the most wonderful honor of all," said Rigby.

Minuteman Press is located at 137 West Fifth Street in downtown Long Beach. For more information about their services or hours of operation, call (562) 436-8500.